Step 1
"If you Eliminate the Cause,
You Eliminate it's Effects"
When dealing with diseases, it's the cause which you must control, or cure, rather then the effect (disease). Remember, all diseases are treated basically the same way. As long as you treat the cause, the effects will disappear (sooner or later). If the disease is persistent after following the below steps then think about joining ClubIG and getting help or as a member you can proceed on to the organic disease control section.
"Always key into Nutrition First "
What are you feeding your plants and soil? Tell me the truth now, really, what are you feeding it? If you say "nothing" then your just as bad as the person who says "I'm feeding it something I bought at the nursery"!
There is nothing like proper nutrition for proper health! For as in humans so it is
with plants. Are you providing good rich compost?
"Always Seek Balance,
When things are out of balance, Infestation and Disease occurs"
Balance is as important to the soil and plants as it is to humans. When things are in balance, stress is reduced and all things function accordingly.
"The Good Guys and the Bad Guys
don't live in the same place"
Bad bacteria and good bacteria do not share the same soil. Dead soil is not actually dead but instead contains the presence of bad bacteria or fungi or any of the 5 sources of soil pathogens.
Step 2
"Avoid High Nitrogen Fertilizers"
The continual use of chemicals in the soil eventually destroys both the bacteriological and biological balance of the soil. Also present are the salt deposits of the various fertilizers, etc., used through out the years.
This causes major changes in the ph levels of the soil effecting nutritional absorption by the plants. This will lead to higher stress levels in all things associated with this soil. The application of not only high nitrogen fertilizers but the application of any type of fertilizer is very bad for the soil, the plants, the insects, the animals, the birds and all humans involved. High nitrogen also promotes the various diseases found in the garden. Why? High nitrogen causes stress & imbalance in the soil & plants, the same way a high sugar diet does in humans. Use only certified organic fertilizers.
The more natural the sources the more acceptable the supply."Poor health and high stress of
plants are due to improper nutrition" The stronger the plant the less the disease will affect it. Avoid using any chemical fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, etc. Chemical fertilizers are not complete foods. They provide only a small amount of the total diet required for healthy plant growth. NPK does not a complete dinner for plants make! Are you using Rock
Dust or any other natural source of minerals?
"Stressed Out Plants."
The same rules of pest control apply to disease controls, the higher the stress, the greater the problem associated with it and the harder it will be to control.
"Dead or Water Soaked Soil"
Amend with compost, rock dust and animal manure if available. You should have plenty of earthworms. Dead water soaked soils have no earthworms.
Compost and mulching will increase organic matter to soil allowing bacterial and nutritional resources to increase. Increase drainage. Practice soil rotation if possible. Rotation of crops is suggested whenever possible. If a raised bed is used allow the bed to go fallow for one season.
Step 3
"Some Diseases are caused by Viruses"
Destroy diseased plants. Throw away in the trash. Do not compost since most backyard gardeners do not compost in big enough piles in which the temperature is high enough to kill the virus. Avoid spreading the disease by cleaning your
tools with alcohol in-between cuttings..
Do not use chemical fungicides. They only will cause more problems both to your health and the soils health.
Use Compost Tea.Please read Compost Tea
"Some Diseases are caused by Nematodes"
Concentrate on healthy living soil.
"Some Diseases are caused by bacteria"
Beneficial bacteria is found in compost.
"Some Diseases are caused by fungi"
Beneficial fungi are found in compost and animal manures as well as inside plant soil root systems.
"Some Diseases are caused by phytoplasmas"
The smallest of the lot and the most powerful on its effects it has on soil and plants.
Step 4
"Improper Varieties Planted"
Proper placement of variety is important. Choose a location which gets as much light as needed by the plant for proper growth. Make sure the plants will
grow normally in your area. Choose the correct variety for your area. Heirloom varieties are stronger and more suited for organic gardening.
Write to Abundant Life Foundation or Seeds of Change. Seeds of change newsletter
Use Trap crops in addition to various types of traps which attracts the pests away from the garden.
"Improper Planting Time"
Observe the correct planting dates on vegetables, etc for best results. Planting during the wrong time of year also exposes plants to insects that would not normally effect your plants if they had been planted at the right time. Also temp and amount of day light is important.
"Improper Watering Techniques"
Avoid overhead watering. Use a soaker hose or a drip system when ever possible. Keeping the water below ground will help to control most above ground diseases.
How Important is it to Identify the Disease?
Diseases in different plants may have the same name but will show different symptoms thus making Identifying very difficult if not impossible. While I encourage you to try and Identify the disease that is attacking your plants, you must remember that the basic treatments remains the same regardless of the disease.
The Invisible Gardener says:
It doesn't take magic to control diseases naturally!
_______________________
1...Chemical Fungicides destroy the bacteria & " Goods Guys" in the soil, and can cause health problems in humans and animals.
This information is made available free to you in hopes that it will help you with your disease problem and is not intended as a quick fix. May I suggest that you join ClubIG and togehter we can solve your disease problem!
yours
Andy Lopez
The Invisible Gardener | 
