What Is Wrong With My Cress?

Are there any brown lesions on leaves, that later develop brown or yellow concentric rings?

Do the leaves have any small circular or irregularly shaped dry spots that are gray to straw in color?

Are the roots enlarged and clublike, plants are stunted with yellowish leaves that wilt during the day?

Are there any dark and withered lesions on seedling stems, lesions may be black and greasy, seedlings are dying?

Do the leaves have pale areas on upper surfaces and "downy" patches underneath?

Are there any circular gray lesions on the leaf surfaces with black specks forming in the center?

Are there any irregularly shaped dull yellow areas along leaf margins which expand to leaf midrib and create a characteristic "V-shaped" lesion?

These symptoms indicate Alternaria leaf spot. Warm, wet conditions favor this fungal disease. Spray infected plants with copper and/or sulfur to prevent further disease development. Plant only pathogen-free seed from a reputable nursery.

These symptoms indicate a fungal disease - Anthracnose. Keep plants dry when watering to prevent spread. Spray plants with copper when the first fruit develops if you have had problems in the past.

Enlarged and clublike roots are most likely caused by fungal disease - Club root. Remove and destroy any infected plants. Applying lime to the soil can reduce fungus sporulation.

These symptoms indicate damping-off disease. Remove and destroy all infected plants. To prevent damping-off let the soil surface dry between waterings, thin seedlings to avoid overcrowding and do not add nitrogen fertilizers until plants have developed leaves. Avoid planting until the soil is sufficiently warm.

Pale areas on upper surfaces of the leaves and "downy" patches underneath are caused by Downy mildew. This fungus spreads quickly during cool, wet nights and warm, humid days. Leaves will wilt and die. Remove and destroy all affected plant parts and encourage good air circulation around plants by thining them. Water plants early in the morning to make sure they dry before nightfall.

Blackleg is a disease favored by wet weather. The use of resistant varieties is very important in the control of the disease. Cress should be planted on a 3-year rotation to promote plant vigor and reduce disease susceptibility.

These symptoms indicate a bacterial disease - Black rot. Prevent this disease by providing well-drained soil and by using a 2-year rotation. Plant resistant varieties. Control cruciferous weed species which may act as a reservoir for bacteria. Plant pathogen-free seed.

If there are tiny holes in leaves they are caused by Flea beetles. These tiny, black, brown, or bronze beetles hop when disturbed. Larvae are small and white, feed mostly on the undersides of leaves. Prevent problems by covering young plants with row cover. Control severe infestations by spraying or dusting plants with pyrethrin.