Common types of plant fungus

The black spot will be particularly familiar to anyone who grows roses. You’ll know this common fungal problem from its black, grey or brown spots that form on the leaves of your plant, causing them to drop. If it happens, remove and destroy any infected leaves, and take care to ensure none are left behind come autumn. For roses, use a rose fungicide spray, for everything else a fungicide spray, to help prevent it from forming again.

Downy mildew attacks the leaves and other parts of the plant that grow above-ground. This type of mildew thrives in cool, moist and damp conditions, and tends to form most often on young and unhealthy plants or any plant under stress. Downy mildew has several different strains and can cause different reactions to different plants; to some, it causes leaves and stems to turn yellow, while to other plants it can prevent them from flowering. The best way to manage downy mildew is to destroy infected plants as soon as the symptoms are seen, including ground foliage, as fungicides won’t work for this strain of plant disease.

In contrast, Powdery mildew prospers in dry soil conditions, in humid and damp climates. They can infect roses and clematis, you’ll know it from the powdery fungus that grows on the upper surface of the plant leaves, usually white in colour. It can also spread to the underside of leaves or stems. When infected, the plant may turn yellow or eventually brown and leaves will die off. The best way to manage it is to remove and destroy any infected parts of the plant and maintain the soil by keeping it well watered and mulched. Be sure to only water the plant rather than the soil. Throughout the season, a fungicide solution can also help you protect your plants and keep powdery mildew from growing again.

Blight is a serious disease infecting tomatoes and potatoes. Tomato blight and potato blight can destroy the crop or make it inedible. You’ll know it from the brown, discoloured leaves that begin at the edges. Leaves tend to dry and curl inwards, and in moist conditions might also be accompanied by a white fungal growth. Both tomatoes and potatoes can also develop brown patches that turn into rotten sores. If you find blight in your garden, carefully remove and destroy any infected areas and manage the problem by keeping plants healthy using a fruit and veg feed and an organic soil conditioner.

Rust is one of the simplest diseases to identify because it looks just like rust forming on your plants. Once established it can be very difficult to control, however, the good news is that each type of rust is specific to one plant, so won’t spread across your garden. If you have rust in your garden remove and destroy any infected parts. Keep high nitrogen feeds to a minimum. Instead, high potash feeds will help strengthen the leaves. Throughout the season, you can also use a fungicide solution to help prevent rust from forming or coming back.

Wilt affects a wide range of plants and vegetables, including chrysanthemum, peppers, tomatoes, potatoes and fruits. You’ll know it by its wilting leaves which can turn yellow or brown. If you find wilt in your garden, carefully remove any affected areas. You can avoid it forming by avoiding high-nitrogen fertilisers and using a liquid plant food to help promote healthy and strong plants.

Clubroot is a fungal infection that commonly occurs in brassicas roots like cabbage, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, turnip and swede. It can also affect ornamental relatives such as wallflowers and Saxifraga. When infected, the roots become swollen and distorted, and above ground can show through stunted growth and purplish, wilting foliage. It occurs most often when the soil is moist and warm, so watch closely for it in mid-summer to late autumn. You can treat it by raising the soil pH by liming and improving drainage. You can also discourage it from forming by using a liquid plant food during the growing season.

Anthracnose is a common plant and vegetable disease affecting many varieties. It is most commonly found on tomatoes, cucumbers, beans and fruits like melon. You’ll know it by the small, sunken spots that appear on fruits and pods, which have pinkish sores in the centre. If you find anthracnose, you can control it by removing any infected leaves and ensuring you keep plants healthy by replacing soil with an enriched compost.