Dr. Grow: Think before you act

In a few paragraphs I'm going to get on my soapbox. Please read carefully. Don't be offended by my message, but if it applies to you, please take it to heart.

Every day I get at least one phone call that goes something like this. "Hey, Paul, I've got this plant that has some yellow leaves on it, and it doesn't look good. What's wrong with it?"

"Sir (or Ma'am, I want to politically correct) I can't really tell what is wrong with your plant unless I see it. There are several things that can cause a plant to have yellow leaves. Bring in a sample so that I can look at it."

"Well, is there some spray that takes care of everything. I think I need to spray it."

Now I am going to mount my soapbox. Don't use a pesticide unless you know what pest you are trying to control. Only then will you be to select the right control method to correctly take care of the problem. If you spray pesticides indiscriminately you could possibly damage the environment, spend money you don't need to and/or make the problem worse.

Not all plant problems are caused by insects and fungi. A case in point is blossom end rot in tomatoes. The end of the tomato is usually black and shriveled. Many people think that blossom end rot is caused by a fungus and spray a fungicide.

Blossom end rot is actually caused by a calcium deficiency. Correct treatment would be to lime the garden and spray a calcium solution on the developing tomatoes. No pesticide is needed.

Make sure if you use a pesticide, that it actually controls the pest in question. Many gardeners will automatically apply Sevin dust on their vegetables when they think their plants are infested with insects.

Sevin works great on insects such as caterpillars that eat leaves and other plant parts. The insecticide is ingested and the worm or caterpillar is killed. On the other hand, if the insect is an aphid, Sevin will not work well. The aphid brushes the insecticide away, inserts its needle-like mouth-parts into the plant, and sucks out plant juices.

Application of Sevin to an aphid infested plant can actually make your problem worse. We know that Sevin will not kill aphids very well. On the other hand, it usually kills beneficial insects that feed on aphids. The use of Sevin not only doesn't eliminate the problem, but it actually makes the problem worse because no predators insects are around to feed on the aphids.

If you are like me and have to stay within a spending budget, you don't want to buy a pesticide unless you absolutely have to. In addition, you want to make sure that the money spent will eliminate your problem not make it worse or not work at all.

I have used Sevin as an example. I am not singling out Sevin, nor am I against the use of Sevin. I am for the use of Sevin and all pesticides, if needed, in a responsible manner.

If you are having plant problems, look at the specimen closely and see if you can find any insect or disease working on the plant. Make a mental note of the most recent weather and other cultural practices, such as watering, fertilization, etc., that you have done.

If you can identify the problem, take appropriate action. If you can't identify the problem, take a sample to your local University Extension Center or to a reputable garden center. Ask them to identify the problem and prescribe the correct treatment.

With the correct treatment, you can eliminate your plant problem, save money and protect the environment.