Controlling common problems with annuals
Annuals are
among the most varied, most beautiful and most colorful flowers on the
market. The sheer variety of annuals,
the many colors, shapes and textures they come in, has made them a favorite
among gardeners for many years.
With so many
different annuals on the market, their ability to resist common plant diseases
and insect infestations can vary quite a bit.
While some types of annuals are virtually impervious to disease and
insects, others require much more care to remain trouble free. When choosing varieties of annuals, it is
always best to choose disease and insect resistant varieties when ever you
can. Doing so will allow you to use less
pesticides, and they will generally be less trouble in the long run as well.
It is also a
good idea to choose annuals that are best suited for your climate. Some varieties of annuals are very drought
resistant, while others require lots of moisture to look their best. Knowing the requirements of each variety, and
tailoring the plants you buy to local conditions, is the best way to grow a
successful garden. The staff at your
local nursery or garden center can help you choose the hardiest varieties of
annuals for your garden.
It is also
important to look for signs of disease or insect infestation every time you
work in the garden. For instance, as you
are pulling weeds, look at the plants.
Are the stems intact, or are they showing signs of cracks or other
damage? Is the foliage leafy, green and
free of holes and spots? Catching
problems early is the best way to cure them.
When watering
annuals, it is best to avoid overhead watering if you can. That is because splashing a lot of water on
the foliage of plants can encourage a variety of diseases. Most plant diseases love moisture, and
standing water on plants is a great way for existing diseases to spread
throughout the garden, or for a new infection to take hold.
A combination
of drip irrigation and soaker hoses is usually the best choice for watering the
garden. These methods allow for greater
control over the amount of water each plant receives, and they generally allow
for deeper, more thorough, watering as well.
No matter which method you use, however, it is generally best to water
in the morning, since this allows the plants to dry before the hottest part of
the day.
When working
with annuals in the garden, it is important to be on the lookout for signs of
insect problems. The most common insects
that trouble annuals include spider mites, aphids, caterpillars and white
flies. Any possible infestation should
be attacked at the first sign of trouble.
The best way to control any outbreak, be it insects or disease, is to
control it early before it has the opportunity to spread.
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