It’s hard to believe how much rain we’ve received over the
past few days. Especially when compared to this time last year. The ground is
soaked and in landscape areas with poor drainage, prolonged saturation can
often lead to a variety of plant problems. One of the more common symptoms of
these problems is wilting in the rain…
Excessive soil moisture...
(like all the rain we’ve received) flushes
oxygen from the soil. Plant roots need O2 to take up water and nutrients. In
the absence of sufficient O2 plants often wilt – despite the presence of soil
moisture. One of the prime reasons gardeners use raised beds is to help remove
excessive moisture from the root zone. Also, amending soils with various types
of organic matter can help provide an optimum balance of aeration, drainage and
water holding characteristics. Raised beds and amended soils are the most
effective means of dealing with the “monsoonal rains” we often receive.
Soil-borne diseases...
can become another major problem during periods of prolonged saturation. Fungal pathogens like pythium, phytopthora, fusarium, rhizoctonia and thalaveopsis (all bad guys) thrive and reproduce best under waterlogged conditions. Fungi need a water film to spread and O2 stressed plants are more susceptible to diseases – creating a “perfect storm” of environmental conditions (forgive the pun). Plants infested with a root disease often have a wilted appearance even though there seems to be plenty of water in the soil or pot.
can become another major problem during periods of prolonged saturation. Fungal pathogens like pythium, phytopthora, fusarium, rhizoctonia and thalaveopsis (all bad guys) thrive and reproduce best under waterlogged conditions. Fungi need a water film to spread and O2 stressed plants are more susceptible to diseases – creating a “perfect storm” of environmental conditions (forgive the pun). Plants infested with a root disease often have a wilted appearance even though there seems to be plenty of water in the soil or pot.
