I’m afraid my Plant Diseases class from Merritt College in
Oakland has despoiled me – I am always on the lookout for plant diseases! End-of-summer
is a great time to spot them, as many plants have spent their reserves on reproduction, and are more vulnerable to attack.
Here are some of the diseases I spotted in Clear Lake; oaks seem especially hard hit.
In many cases, these diseases do not cause permanent damage.
An organism is simply taking advantage of a situation, and working through its
own life cycle. After the class, seeing plant disease is not necessarily alarming.
Plants in nature are rarely perfect; instead, they are teaming with all sorts
of life forms. Learning to enjoy the whole ecosystem of a plant, both good and
bad, can add to the enjoyment of nature as well as the garden. And raising your tolerance for imperfection can lower the need to combat the imperfect with pesticides.
Sudden Oak Death – I wasn't close enough for direct inspection, but this looks like SOD from afar; caused by the water mold, Phytophthora ramorum. |
Oak Apple Gall – this "strange fruit" indicates sexual reproduction by the oak gall wasp. |
Tent Caterpillar – we found these gauzy structures all over foliage. The residents had already moved on. |
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