STEVE'S LAWN AND LANDSCAPING SERVICE, INC.

Diseases, Powdery Mildew:
Powdery mildew is a disease that attacks a number of ornamental plants. Conditions favorable for powdery mildew include warm humid overcast days with cool nights. Given these conditions powdery mildew is most common during late spring and early fall but can occur anytime during the growing season. This disease is common on plantings that are crowded, damp and shaded. Powdery mildew initially appears as a white to grayish-white coating on leaves, shoots or buds. As the season progresses, the powdery mildew coating is dotted with small dark brown specks (fruiting bodies).

Severely infected leaves may yellow, curl, and then drop. Cultural practices for controlling this disease include using resistant varieties, increasing the plant spacing and prune. Increasing plant spacing and pruning increases sunlight penetration and air movement. Also, lightly fertilize to minimize excessive growth. Lightly spraying the leaves with water can wash off some of the mycelial spores present on the leaves.

Diseases, Red Thread:
Red thread continues to be present on many home lawns in the northern United States.