Ash dieback
Botryosphaeria stevensii
What is Ash dieback (Botryosphaeria stevensii)?
Raywood ash canker and dieback, caused by Botryosphaeria stevensii, is a condition affecting Raywood ash (Fraxinus oxycarpa 'Raywood'). It primarily occurs in regions with stressful growing conditions and insufficient soil moisture. Symptoms include dieback of multiple branches, yellowing, wilting, and browning of foliage. Infected limbs develop reddish-brown cankers, with bark cracking and sloughing off. While entire trees are not typically killed, the dead limbs pose a hazard. Raywood ash canker and decline is mainly found in northern California but may occur in other areas.
How does Ash dieback (Botryosphaeria stevensii) occur?
Botryosphaeria stevensii reproduces asexually through the production of conidia. These spores are dispersed by air or rainwater. When conditions are suitable, such as during periods of stress or drought, the spores infect Raywood ash trees. The fungus colonizes the host tissues, causing canker formation, limb dieback, and decline. The disease spreads through infected plant material and contact with contaminated tools.
Symptoms
1 - Plant Health
Botryosphaeria stevensii causes branch dieback, foliage wilting, and limb cankers. It reduces tree health and requires limb removal for safety.
3 - Soil Health
Dead ash tree decomposition enriches the soil with organic matter, aiding nutrient cycling. However, it can disrupt soil microbes and nutrient availability, impacting soil ecosystem health.
4 - Carbon Sequestration
Ash trees play a role in carbon sequestration by absorbing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The loss of ash trees due to Ash dieback can result in reduced carbon sequestration capacity, potentially impacting efforts to mitigate climate change.
5 - Landscape and Aesthetic Value
Ash trees have aesthetic and landscape value in many areas. The decline and loss of ash trees can alter the visual appeal of landscapes, parks, and urban areas, impacting the overall aesthetic quality and cultural significance of these spaces.
Solutions
1 - Monitoring and Stress Management
• Minimize environmental stressors, particularly drought conditions, by ensuring sufficient soil moisture and implementing proper irrigation practices. • Regular monitoring of ash trees for symptoms of Ash dieback is crucial. Prompt identification of infected trees allows for early management and containment efforts.
2 - Quarantine and movement restrictions
Implementing strict quarantine measures and restrictions on the movement of infected plant material, including ash trees, logs, and wood products, can help prevent the introduction and spread of diseases to new areas.
3 - Sanitation and hygiene practices
Proper sanitation and hygiene practices, such as cleaning and disinfecting tools and equipment, can help prevent the inadvertent spread of pathogens between trees, sites, or regions.
4 - Resistant Cultivars
Consider planting alternative species to be resistant to Raywood ash canker and decline.
5 - Chemical control
Chemical control for ash dieback is challenging and not widely recommended. However, tebuconazole is a systemic fungicide that has been used to reduce the progression of the disease.
Susceptible Species
Suminagashi Japanese Maple
Kashmir Deodar Cedar
Fallgold Black Ash
Leprechaun Green Ash
Patmore Green Ash
Siberian peashrub
rose peashrub
Washington hawthorn
common calabash tree
winter squash
winter squash
winter squash
summer squash
Kashmir cypress
white ash
white ash
white ash
European ash
European ash
European ash
Manchurian ash
flowering ash
green ash
pumpkin ash
blue ash
ash
ashy sunflower
ashe juniper
seashore mallow
mountain ash
American mountain ash
European mountain ash
mountain ash
ash-colored speedwell
southern prickly-ash
Oregon Ash
narrow-leafed ash
Pink Pagoda mountain ash
Seashore False Bindweed
Eyelash Fern
Red Ash
Black Calabash
Bigleaf Black Calabash
Wild Cashew
Cashew Nut
Ashitaba
Siberian Peashrub
Mandarin Plant
Cashmere (Cashmir) bouquet
Chinese Glory Bower
Calabash Tree
Blue Olive Berry
Manna Ash
Seashore Mangosteen
Ash sheora
Taffeta Plant
Urus mane
Urus mane
Calabash Nutmeg
Monodora
Ashanti Blood
Wild Sweet Calabash
Sweet Calabash
Telegraph Pole Tree
Hop Tree
Amargo
Ashoka Tree
Ashoka Tree
Chayote
Walking Palm
White Satin Ash
Roly Poly Satinash
West Indian Lilac
Washingtonia
Ashwagandha
American Prickly Ash
Moro Blood Orange
FAQ
Do shade growing plants need any Sunlight?
Shade growing plants do need sunlight, although they require less than other plants. They need some direct sunlight each morning to help them photosynthesize and grow properly. Also, indirect sunlight throughout the day helps them stay healthy. Shade growing plants will benefit from the sunshine, but if they get too much or too little, then they can suffer the consequences. It's important to pay attention to the needs of your plants so that you can provide them with the proper light for optimal growth.
How often should you water indoor plants?
Indoor plants should be watered when the soil feels dry to a depth of about two inches, usually about once a week. A helpful technique to determine your plants' watering needs is to feel the soil before and after watering to get a sense of how long it takes to dry out. An important note to remember is that some plants require less water than others, and it's best to research the specific needs of your individual plants. Likewise, if your home is very dry, you might need to water more often as the lack of moisture can stress the plants and lead to problems like brown leaves and wilted stems.
Can my monstera plant get root rot?
Yes, a plant can get root rot. Root rot is a fungal disease that can be caused by over-watering, poor soil drainage, or high humidity levels in the air. Signs of root rot include yellowing leaves, wilting and stunted growth, and damaged or browning root systems. Sometimes it is difficult to detect root rot until the plant is removed from the soil, as the problems are mainly below the soil surface. Treating root rot usually involves removing the affected parts of the plant and replanting the unaffected ones.
Can I put my Monstera outside in summer?
No, you should not put your Monstera outside in summer. Monstera plants need warm, humid air to thrive, and direct sunlight can scorch their leaves. Instead, put your Monstera in a bright, sunny spot with indirect light, making sure the sun never directly hits the leaves. During the summer, keep your Monstera's soil damp and mist it occasionally to keep the leaves hydrated. At nighttime, keep the temperature around 16 - 21°C (60 - 70°F). You can definitely take your Monstera outdoors for short periods of time, just make sure to bring it back in if it starts to get too hot.
What happens if my monstera plant gets too cold?
If your monstera plant gets too cold, it will become vulnerable to pests, disease, or other damage. Cold temperatures can damage the leaves of the plant, causing them to become spotted or limp. The roots of monstera plants may also suffer in cold temperatures, leading to root rot or other diseases. Belonging to the tropical family, monsteras are used to warm environments and do not do well in cold temperatures, so it is important to ensure your plant is kept in conditions that suit their needs.
Is it possible to grow a vegetable garden in a small space?
Yes, it is possible to grow a vegetable garden in a small space. Gardening in a small space can be as simple as growing a few containerized plants in pots and raised beds, or as elaborate as vertically stacking planters, hanging pouches, and hanging baskets on a wall, railing, or fence. Regardless of the size of the space you are working with, some simple techniques such as companion planting, organic fertilizers, and water conservation can help you get the most out of your small vegetable garden.
Is peppermint herb green good for digestion?
Peppermint herb is indeed beneficial for digestion. The flavonoids in the herb support digestion by reducing inflammation in the digestive track, aiding in digestion and relieving indigestion, heartburn, and even the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Additionally, peppermint is naturally rich in menthol, which helps to relax the muscles of the stomach, aiding in the digestion of food. Peppermint herb can be consumed in a variety of forms, such as teas, tinctures and capsules, as well as by adding the herb to food or directly to water or tea.
Should peppermint herb green be consumed daily?
No, peppermint herb green should not be consumed daily. This is because it contains high levels of menthol, which can be toxic if taken in large doses. Additionally, consuming large amounts of peppermint herb green could interfere with the absorption of essential minerals and vitamins, potentially causing vitamin deficiencies. For these reasons, it is best to consult with a doctor before incorporating peppermint herb green into your daily diet.
