Physalis diseases: why leaves turn yellow, pests and their treatment with photo

Physalis is a member of the nightshade genus. Tomatoes and potatoes belong to the same genus. Therefore, physalis diseases can be the same as those of these crops. Physalis is slightly more resistant to diseases, but if planted in an area where potatoes or tomatoes used to grow, infection with late blight or other diseases may occur. The defeat can begin with the leaves, gradually capturing the entire plant.

Physalis diseases

Rarely exposed to disease in the wild. But cultivated varieties grown in a greenhouse or in the open field are more tender. And if the plants grow too thick, they lack the strength not only to grow, but also to fight diseases.

And if potatoes or tomatoes grow in the neighborhood, physalis will suffer with them.

Vegetable physalis diseases:

White or gray rot. All parts of the plant are affected.
Water rot. More often affects fruits.
Late blight. The picture of the disease is the same as on tomatoes.
Alternariosis. It is characterized by the development of brown spots on the leaves.
Fusariosis. Plants wither and dry up.
Penicillosis. It develops on damaged parts of the plant.
Mosaic. Leaves and fruits suffer.

The causes of diseases are infection from the soil, through pests or from infected seeds.

Physalis pests

The most common pests of this crop are slugs, caterpillars and bears. The Colorado potato beetle does not disdain it either, especially at the end of summer, when the potatoes dry up and a hungry period sets in.

The aphid does a lot of harm. It not only draws juice from plants, but also infects them with dangerous viruses.

Ways to control diseases and pests

Treatment of diseased plants does not always work, especially if time is lost. It is more useful when disease prevention is performed regularly. And you need to start it even before sowing.

Prevention includes the following items:

Seed treatment before sowing with special means or ordinary potassium permanganate. It is better to harvest your seeds from he althy plants, or buy from reliable suppliers.
Observe crop rotation in the garden. Physalis should not be planted after or next to other nightshade crops.
Regularly spray plants with Bordeaux liquid or special preparations available in agricultural stores.
Affected plants should be removed from the site immediately to stop the spread of the disease.
If plants are affected by pests, they must be treated with disinfectants, otherwise they will become a source of infection.
Regularly fertilize and water as needed. This will strengthen the plants and give them the strength to fight infection.

Pests also need to be fought and prevented from multiplying. For this, there are various drugs approved for use. In this case, you need to be careful and carefully read the instructions.

Why do Physalis leaves turn yellow?

Sometimes the lower leaves turn yellow and fall off. This is an alarming symptom and must be de alt with immediately.

There may be several reasons:

Most often, the plant lacks nutrients and needs top dressing. It occurs on poor soils.
If a crop is planted too thickly, it lacks light and nutrition. It grows poorly, turns pale, and then turns yellow and dries.
From diseases, such a symptom causes a mosaic. In this case, it is urgent to spray.

Regardless of the reason, the yellow leaves are harvested and burned.

Spots appear on Physalis leaves

If the spots are dark brown, it may be the development of Alternaria. If you do not take action, the physalis will die without yielding a crop. To do this, the yellowed leaves are removed, and the remaining ones are treated with Ridomil or Bordeaux liquid.

If the spots are brown - this is late blight. The methods of dealing with it are the same as for tomatoes.

Physalis has few diseases. But any of them can spoil the crop or completely destroy it. Therefore, measures should be taken at the first symptoms and prevent further development. But it is better to take care of the condition of the crops on the site in advance and carry out regular preventive maintenance.