Hi, Got a problem that I thought one of you could help me identify. I planted okra which is now a foot tall and some are starting to blossom. The leaves are the problem. The leaves on the plant closest to the ground are turning yellow with black/gold kind of spots on them and some of the green leaves are getting raised "tunnels" or spots. I looked under and over all the leaves and did not see any bugs, but one never knows what those nasties could be up to. The leaves that yellow with the spots, dry up and die. Help, I looked in the archives but didn't see anything there. The okra is planted next to the tomatoes and both are in raised beds with manure, potting soil and top soil. Tomatoes are great and the english peas on the other side are great, both have no problems. I have researched the web, but there is not too much out there on specific okra diseases. Thanks in advance!

-- Cindy (colawson@mindspring.com), May 28, 2001

Answers

Cindy, it sounds like you have a case of "Fusarium Wilt" and depending on the severeness it can take a long time to get rid of. You can add as much compost to the soil as you can, as compost contains fungi and nematodes that will kill the fusarium organisms. Secondly you are going to have to try rotating your planting areas but that does not always work very well in home gardens because the fungus can live for 10 years or more in the soil and is easily spread by digging and weeding. Your best bet is do what you can and if nothing works try again next year maybe in a area around a flowerbed or along a fence row.

The reason it's not bothering your T's & P's is each of them are affected by different strains. But even at that I strongly suggest you rotate your planting each year.

-- TomK (tjk@cac.net), May 28, 2001.

We had this problem last season. As TomK stated, compost is a very good fungicide. I layered vermicompost around the feet of the plants after removing the affected leaves. 1 tsp baking soda to 2 gallons of water makes an effective spray fungicide also. It can be sprayed on about every 3 weeks.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), May 29, 2001.