The Yellow Jessamine Garden Club held a February meeting at the home of Ms. Annett McNeill. The meeting was hosted on February 4th and nine attended the meeting. President Mary Ricks called the meeting to order and the Pledge to the flag of the Garden Club of SC was said by all. Ms. Glenda Campbell read a short devotion from Psalm 109.
During roll call, several members named plants or trees with a type of disease or fungus.
Dealing with Plant Fungus was our theme of this month’s meeting to help members identify problematic areas with shrubs or plants. Mrs. Terry Hayes presented a very informative lesson on common plant diseases, symptoms, and treatments for them.
Mrs. Hayes mentioned that spotted leaf if the most common plant disease, and it affects indoor and outdoor plants alike. Poor air circulation, overcrowding and having constantly damp leaves are the culprit and can affect neighboring plants as well. Root rot, rust disease, powdery mildew, gray mold, aphids, scale bugs, and many others were also touched upon during the lesson. Some of the treatments included using neem oil, pruning away the rotten areas, spraying with a baking soda solution (1/2 teaspoon to a gallon of water) or a commercially available fungicide. In some cases, however, the plants and soil should be disposed of completely because of the toxicity of the virus and its ability to spread to other plants. There are many things to consider when tending to plants, shrubs, and trees, but preventing disease is the main goal. There are many treatment options
available should your plants need help. Speak to an experienced gardener or horticulturalist.
After our lesson, a blessing for the food was given and we enjoyed a delightful meal made by our hostess, Ms. McNeill. The business was discussed, minutes from last meeting were read and approved. Ms. Campbell then presented a short statement on the flower of the month, which was violets. She stated that there were many different types of violets and they come in a variety of colors such as purple, pink, yellow, green, and blue. These were popular in the Roman era and known for their fragrance. Violets are also used as Christian symbols for love, humility, humbleness, and peace.
The Yellow Jessamine Garden Club of Dillon is a member of the National Garden Clubs, Inc., South Atlantic Region of National Garden Clubs, Inc., The Garden Club of South Carolina, Inc., and Coastal District of the Garden Club of South Carolina, Inc.
Yellow Jessamine Garden Club Learns About Plant Diseases
