What Is Wrong With My Caster Bean?

Are there any small, yellow-brown spots with a yellow or green halo which first appear on the oldest leaves?

Are the stems, leaves, buds, flowers, or fruit covered with gray mold, leaves may be blotched or discolored?

Are the leaves pale on their upper side and are there any dusty blisters on the undersides?

Are there any angular or circular green to gray spots with brown borders on leaves?

Are the leaves covered with white powder?

Are there any water-soaked spots on leaves that enlarge and become necrotic?

Does the foliage have singular, or closely grouped circular to irregularly shaped holes?

Are the parts of leaves withering and turning brown in a V-shape, plant growth is reduced?

Are there any irregular serpentine tunnels in the leaves?

Are the leaves stippled with yellow and the foliage is webbed?

Alternaria leaf blight is caused by a fungus that spreads primarily by planting an infected seed. Plant only pathogen-free seed from a reputable nursery. Apply copper-based foliar fungicide if the disease emerges. Rotate crops to non-umbelliferous varieties for 2-4 years.

Gray mold on stems, leaves, buds, flowers, or fruit is probably caused by fungal disease - Botrytis blight. You can prevent Botrytis blight disease by planting in areas with good air circulation. Water plants sparsely. Severely infected plants should be removed. Spray weekly with a copper fungicide until the disease is under control.

Likely cause for these symptoms is a fungal disease - Rust. Provide good air circulation around plants by thining them. Avoid making leaves wet when watering. All infected leaves should be removed. Spray leaves with sulfur early in the season to prevent rust or to treat mild infections.

These symptoms indicate a fungal disease - Cercospora leaf spot. This fungal disease only occurs in very warm climates. Spots develop a “frog-eye” appearance with light centers and dark edges. Spray plants with copper as soon as symptoms appear to prevent further symptom development.

White, powdery patches on the leaves are caused by a fungal disease Powdery mildew. Powdery mildew usually appears in damp places. Encourage good air circulation around the affected plants by thining them and any surrounding plants. Water plants from bellow to keep foliage dry. Any affected leaves should be cut off and removed. The appropriate fungicidal spray will protect your plant from further infections.

Water-soaked spots on leaves are caused by bacterial blight. The spread of the disease is greatest during humid, wet weather conditions. The copper spray will help in reducing the spread of the disease. If there are no new pods on the plant, you should remove the diseased plants.

Southern armyworms, garden webworms, or corn earworms cause this type of damage to the leaves. Handpick or spray actively feeding caterpillars with BTK in the evening. Make sure to spray the undersides of leaves.

Potato leafhoppers are tiny insects that feed on leaf undersides, giving the foliage a finely mottled look. Use water or insecticidal soap sprays to dislodge nymphs. Encourage enemies such as big-eyed bugs and parasitic wasps. For control of severe infestations, spray plants with neem or pyrethrin.

Tunnels in leaves are caused by leafminers. These tiny fly larvae feed within the leaves in meandering mines that become wider as the larvae grow. Prune off and destroy all infested leaves. Remove debris in fall because it might contain overwintering leafminers. Introducing parasitic wasps is a very effective method of controlling leafminers.

Leaves stippled with yellow and webbed foliage is caused by spider mites. These tiny, spider-like pests feed by sucking sap from the underside of the plants leaves causing yellow flecking on the upper leaf surfaces. You can control spider mites by spraying plants thoroughly with water 2-3 times a day for several days. For severe infestations, spray plants with insecticidal soap, or pyrethrin as a last resort.

If the plants are missing, the culprits are probably deers. Barriers provide the most reliable long-term protection from deers.