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Ep. 17 – How to Avoid Plant Problems

Oliver has a hard time keeping his plants in check every single day in order to keep them from being sick or attacked by pests. Padma helps him with some tips to avoid plant problems.

How to Avoid Problems on Your Plants
Oliver: So how can a gardener protect their plants? It feels hard if I have to check them every day. Padma: The point is, you don’t have to do it every single day. The key is “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
Good Hygiene Practices A lot of pests and diseases can survive without hosts. For example, from crop residues in the previous season. Always pay attention to your growing conditions. If you have diseased plants in the last growing season, destroy them immediately before they spread. An unhygienic garden will cause pests and diseases to appear.
Choose Disease Resistant Cultivars As much as possible, choose plants of disease-resistant cultivars. Especially if your garden is not so diversified in terms of plants. In fact, even if you have chosen a disease-resistant cultivar, it doesn't mean it will be 100% disease-free. They are just more durable. That is why biodiversity becomes ultra-important, especially in dealing with disease problems.
Protecting Plants from Stress Stressed plants are more vulnerable to problems than plants that are not stressed. And also, their needs are met. Since stress itself is a problem for plants, if it is attacked by pests/diseases, it will be very difficult to handle.
Choose Appropriate Location & Type of Plants All plants have favourable growing conditions. If they’re planted in a place that does not meet their requirements, they will be easily stressed and become more susceptible to pests and diseases. Choosing the right growing location and type of plant is one way to prevent problems, and make plants grow stronger so they can deal with other potential problems.
Understand Pest & Disease Cycles Pest problems don't just happen overnight; unless your vegetable garden is attacked by a dozen of rabbits, of course, it can happen. First, pest and disease pathogens will stick to the host and grow slowly. Signs of damage will be seen when it spreads, and getting rid of it will be more difficult. All we can do is suppress the rate of damage spread and also make the plants stronger.
Adopt Integrated Pest Control Strategy By understanding pest and disease management techniques, we can determine which one is most efficient to apply when an attack occurs. For example, by using beneficial predators, building gardens that are not attractive to pests, and creating conditions for beneficial predators to come (cultural controls).
Oliver: Wow, so many things to learn! Even each strategy should be explored and applied carefully, right? Padma: That’s right! We can discuss this another time. Oliver: Alright! Do you want me to drive you home? I want to stop by at Canopia first. Padma: Thank you! I’ll come with you there, too.
Oliver: Want to learn more about it? Padma: Follow us to know more stories!

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