Share

How do I find out what is killing my plants?

There are 3 options: 1) Try to diagnose it yourself. Click on the Plant Disease Fact Sheets button (lower left of this screen) and then on the type of plant you have. Most of the fact sheets have photographs along with good descriptions of diseases of particular plants. OR, do a general web search using the name of the plant followed by ‘diseases.’ 2) Take a sample to your local Cooperative Extension office. Often the staff there can diagnose the problem on the spot. To find your local office, see <http://extension.psu.edu/counties/> 3) Click on the Plant Disease Clinic button (lower left of this screen) and learn what to send and where to send a sample. There is no charge for a diagnosis unless very sophisticated tests are required.

Who works on diseases of ... vegetables, trees and flowers, mushrooms, lawns?

Click on the Plant Disease Fact Sheets button (lower left of this screen) and then on the type of plant you have. Most of the fact sheets have photographs along with good descriptions of diseases of particular plants. The fact sheets have a printable version.

Where can I buy a disease management guide?

Disease, insect, mite, and weed management guides are available for commercial growers and homeowners for a wide variety of crops. See the College of Agricultural Sciences Publications website at < http://pubs.cas.psu.edu/>. Or contact your local Cooperative Extension office because they usually have a supply. To find your local office contact information, see <http://extension.psu.edu/counties>

Where can I buy books about plant diseases?

In addition to your online book store, visit the online store of the American Phytopathological Society (APS) at < http://www.apsnet.org/apsstore/shopapspress/Pages/default.aspx/>. APS has the most up-to-date and detailed information available on a very wide variety of diseases of plants. AND, they sell CDs of images of those diseases that you can use for diagnosis, teaching, etc.

Interest in graduate school in plant pathology-How do I apply to PPATH for graduate study?

Click on Graduate Studies above and then on the Prospective Graduate Students folder to obtain details.

Who can I talk to about plant diseases or who can talk to my group? Who works on diseases of…?

fruits – John Halbrendt, vegetables – Beth Gugino, trees and flowers – Gary Moorman, turf – Wakar Uddin, mushrooms – David Beyer, Peter Romaine, and Daniel Royse. Click on the Extension and Outreach button and then on the Extension faculty folder for a directory. Or, click on the Contact Us button and send your inquiry to the Department Head or the Administrative Assistant.

Who can speak about diseases?

Click on the Extension and Outreach button and then on the Extension faculty folder for a directory. The bios indicate who works on what. Or, click on the Contact Us button and send your inquiry to the Department Head or the Administrative Assistant and that person will direct you to a particular individual.

How do I become a Master Gardener?

See the Master Gardener Program information at < http://horticulture.psu.edu/extension/mg >

Where do I find out how to get a pesticide applicator license or how many pesticide applicator credits I need or where and when the next meeting near me will offer pesticide credits?

Visit ‘good old Pest Ed.’ Ed can tell you everything at < http://www.pested.psu.edu/>

What are those black dots on the siding of the house, on the kid’s play equipment, on the garbage pails? I can’t get them off!

Those dots may be from artillery fungus, a fungus that inhabits mulch. See…http://extension.psu.edu/artillery-fungus