Transplant problems? Help is now available
The Penn State Extension Office receives many calls at this time of year from people concerned about their transplants and seedlings. Below are some answers to the most commonly asked questions about problems with seedlings and transplants:
Q: Why are the tips of my leaves turning white?
A: This is caused by frost damage, a stress symptom of rapid weather change. Protect your plants from cold, especially at night.
Q: Why do my young plants have purple leaves?
A: This is a result of cold damage and phosphorous deficiency. Protect plants from cold, and fertilize plants with a high phosphorous soluble plant food.
Q: Why do my transplants have pale green leaves?
A: This is a result of lack of nitrogen or sunlight. Fertilize plants with a balanced soluble plant food and remember, most vegetable plants do best in full sun.
Q: Why are the leaves of my young plants yellowing and looking stunted.
A: Insect feeding is most likely the culprit. Some insects affecting the young seedlings could be spider mites. They produce fine stippling, especially in warm weather. Whiteflies could also be a problem. They are tiny white insects that fly up when disturbed. Control insects with insecticidal soap. Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects, green or peach-colored that could also be a problem. Natural predators and parasites usually keep aphid populations low.
Q: My plants are wilting, why?
A: Plants usually wilt due to a lack of water and exposure to drying winds. Maintain adequate soil moisture, protect plants from wind and remember to water in new transplants immediately after placing in the soil.
Q: My young plants fall over and die. What is happening to them?
A: This condition is called damping off. It is characterized by the taproot and lower stem shriveling up, darkening and falling over as they die. If this occurs, remove dead plants and replant. Add organic matter to the soil and plant on a ridge or raised bed. Be careful not to over-water.
Q: My plants start out doing well, then I find some cut off at soil line. What is happening to them?
A: This problem is caused by cutworms. Cutworms are night feeders that cut off young plants and drag them into underground burrows. Most damage from cut worms occurs during cool weather in May and June. To control damage from cut worms, use cardboard collars around stems to prevent damage.
Q: What is eating my young seedlings, the leaves and stems are chewed?
A: It could be slugs and snails, or cut worms. Slugs and snails are also night feeders who leave slimy trails as an indication of their visit to your plants. You can also use physical barriers to try and control them. Other predators include cutworms, voles and rabbits. All of which can be controlled using appropriate physical barriers.
Q: My plants have small holes in the leaves, what is causing this?
A: There are two types of beetles that cause the most damage to young seedlings in the garden that being flea beetles and cucumber beetles. Flea beetles are small, dark, shiny beetles that jump when disturbed and produce a “shotgun” feeding pattern. Cucumber beetles are small, yellow beetles with black stripes or spots. Exclude these pests with floating row covers or sprays labeled for the control of these pests.
Happy gardening!
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This article was adapted from the Department of Horticulture, Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences, University Park, by Christina Yoder Becker, master gardener coordinator, Penn State Cooperative Extension, Fayette County, 34 West Peter St., Uniontown, PA 15401. For more information about gardening or the Master Gardener Program contact the Extension office at 724-438-0111.