Don't let a problem grow

Garden Line panelists discuss plant problems

By Sarah Beu, Journal staff | Saturday, July 19, 2008

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Gardeners brought apple tree branches, spinach leaves, earwigs, edible weeds and questions to a program featuring South Dakota Public Broadcasting's Garden Line panelists in Rapid City this week.

It was a chance for local gardeners to meet with the panelists from Garden Line, a live, call-in program in which viewer questions about lawn and gardening issues get answered. Tom Bare hosts the panel of South Dakota Cooperative Extension Service and South Dakota State University experts.

The specialists examined a diseased red delicious apple tree branch and diagnosed it with fire blight. They came to the same conclusion with a pear tree branch.

The solution? Prune the affected branches, because the infection spreads easily. The panelists also strongly encouraged disinfecting pruning shears before cutting other plants.

Christal Krein brought in a branch from her aspen tree, which had been severely damaged by a hail storm that hit north Rapid City earlier this summer. The specialists said she needed to observe the tree closely because wounds created by the hail make it easier for pathogens to enter and damage the tree.

Another aspen branch was shown, this one with yellowing between the veins. This was caused by the wetter spring this year, the panelists said; they believed the plant was going through a readjustment period.

Some of the problems gardeners face come from existing diseases in the soil that are unpreventable. The trick is knowing what to do when it starts to hurt the plants.

"A problem's not a problem unless it's a pattern," said Cathie Draine, SDSU Cooperate Extension Master Gardener from Rapid City. She said to spend some time observing if there is a change in the garden, and identify the problem.

For help, gardeners can go to the Pennington County Extension Office or to fellow gardeners.

With most of the cases, "sometimes, there's no quick fix," Draine said.

Marnie Gould of Rapid City brought in samples from her one-acre vineyard that she and her husband planted this year. Originally, the specialists spotted downy mildew, but after contacting a vineyard operator in Italy, she suspects it is something else: insects.

One of the bigger problems this year is an increase in insects because of the rain.

"Most of them are out enjoying the good weather and looking for sex," Draine said.

When to watch

Garden Line airs live on Tuesday evenings through September 30 on South Dakota Public Television.