Latest news with #rootrot
CTV News
20-07-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Rare disease threatens Nova Scotia Christmas trees
Some Nova Scotia Christmas tree growers are concerned about a fungus known as root rot. The dangerous and deadly tree disease Phytophthora, commonly known as root rot, is killing thousands of Nova Scotia Christmas trees. The Christmas tree industry pumps more than $50 million into the Nova Scotia economy each year, as growers have been forced to deal with mild winters, which provide the perfect breeding ground for root rot to spread. 'Last spring, we started seeing some rot, so I got a specialist to look at it,' Christmas tree grower Colin Hughes said. 'We sent some off to get tested and it was confirmed it was root rot.' Hughes said experts have told him the disease came from young infected seedlings brought into the province and are killing most of his Fraser Fir trees, but not the more common Balsam Fir. 'We probably have about 15,000 Fraser Fir trees in the ground right now, and that seems to be where the problem is.' Root rot prevents trees from absorbing water and other nutrients found in the soil. 'We never had to deal with it in our more northern climate, because we always had frost that would go six to eight inches deep, and that would freeze out the spore stage of the disease,' said Matthew Wright from the Canadian Christmas Trees Association. 'This particular disease has a swimming spore stage, so it depends on wet soils to swim to the roots, and it only attacks roots when they are actively growing in the spring or fall,' said Wright. Hughes says it's too soon to know if root rot could spread further and what kind of impact that could have on the Christmas season. He is seeking advice on how to monitor the situation closely. 'All I know is, I have Balsam Firs growing right alongside a dying Fraser Fir, and our Balsams are doing very well,' said Hughes. With December less than five months away, all of Nova Scotia's Christmas trees will need to stay healthy so they can be ready for holiday season.
The Sun
28-05-2025
- General
- The Sun
The 8 hidden garden problems in that could be pointing to a MUCH bigger issue & it's bad news if yours has a weird smell
PATCHY lawns and annoying pests are just two of the problems you might encounter in your garden. But did you know there's a whole host of hidden ones that could be pointing to a much bigger issue in yours? 3 3 According to a gardening expert, one of the biggest signs is a weird smell in your green space - which could be an indicator of decay in your flowerbeds. "A strange smell in your garden can easily be overlooked but is a huge red flag as foul odours may indicate root rot or bacterial infections in your plants," Fiona Jenkins at explained. If you get a whiff of anything unusual in the garden, you should examine your plants for "any signs of disease or decay". "Addressing the root cause is crucial to preventing the problem from worsening, and your gardening habits may need adjusting," Fiona explained. Remove any decayed material, and use "appropriate treatments to stop the spread of infection". "Sometimes, plants may give off a natural scent, but you can never be too careful, and it is important to ensure that it is not indicative of a problem," Fiona concluded. Another sign of a hidden problem in your garden to look out for is yellowing leaves, as it's "an indicator of improper watering or nutrient deficiencies". "Overwatering can suffocate roots while underwatering dehydrates them, both leading to yellow leaves," Fiona said. "A lack of essential nutrients can also lie at the heart of the discolouration issue." To address the problem, have a look at your watering schedule - it might be that it "needs some simple tweaks". B&M launches their children's outdoor range which is perfect for summer - there's a £2 bargain that'll easily keep the kids entertained "If this doesn't solve the problem, it may be worth conducting a soil test to see what nutrients your plants are missing and invest in a good quality fertiliser to restore them to full health," she advised. A similar issue is pointed out by discoloured flowers, which can show that they are "in distress". "Environmental factors such as extreme heat or cold can cause discolouration, as can nutrient imbalances," Fiona said. "Start by evaluating the conditions – it may be as simple as adjusting sunlight exposure or providing more shade to the area. "A soil test will reveal any nutrient deficiencies, which can then be addressed with the right fertilisers to restore vitality." Japanese Knotweed, mould and mildew and annoying pests such as caterpillars and fruit flies can point to a bigger garden problem, as well as plants' stunted growth. The 8 hidden problems that could be pointing to a bigger issue in your garden GARDENING expert Fiona Jenkins at shares the early warning signs to look out in your garden for before the minor issues turn into major ones and prevent yours from thriving. This can indicate a root problem, which you can test for by "gently checking" the root. "Healthy roots should be white and firm," Fiona noted. "If rot is present, reduce your watering schedule and improve soil drainage as well as regularly inspecting for pests that may be targeting the roots. "By maintaining root health, you are ensuring that your plants have a strong foundation to support their growth." And lastly - one of the most obvious problems few gardens avoid - weeds. "Like many other garden plants, weeds thrive in the warm summer weather and could be taking away essential sunlight, water and nutrients from your beautiful summer flowers," Fiona said. "Applying a deep layer of mulch to your soil during the spring months can suppress weed growth by blocking sunlight and conserving soil moisture. "If you do see any weeds start to sprout, remove them promptly by hand, pulling them out or using garden tools to ensure that they do not regrow." 3
