WSU Extension

Hortsense

Common Cultural Problems
 
Air pollution 
Chlorosis 
Construction damage 
Desiccating wind 
Drought damage 
Fasciation 
Fertilizer burn 
Frost injury 
Hail damage 
Lime-induced chlorosis 
Marginal leaf necrosis 
Morphological changes 
Mosses and lichens 
Needle loss 
Needle tip necrosis 
Nutrient deficiency 
Oedema 
Overwatering or poor drainage 
Plant girdling and circling roots 
Poor pollination 
Salt damage 
Sunscald 
Transplant shock 
Winter desiccation 
Winter injury 



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Caption: Flower bud damage on rhododendron
Photo by: R.S. Byther
  
Common Cultural : Frost injury
(revision date: 4/30/2013)


Use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for successful plant problem management.

Biology
Frost can damage new growth and flowers in the spring. Severity and distribution will depend on stage of plant development and where plants are growing; low-lying areas often act as frost pockets. Symptoms may develop some time after exposure and typically include wilting and dieback of affected tissues. Damage is most often seen to buds, flowers, and at stem tips, where tender young tissues are more susceptible to injury.
Management Options

Non-Chemical Management
  • Cover susceptible plants prior to frost. Light-weight floating row cover fabrics are one option, but blankets, cardboard boxes, newspaper, or other materials may also be used. Remove frost covers when the temperature moderates. Frost covers left on plants long-term can create moist conditions that favor disease development.
Select non-chemical management options as your first choice!

Chemical Management
IMPORTANT: Visit Home and Garden Fact Sheets for more information on using pesticides

None recommended

Images

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Caption: Flower bud damage on rhododendron
Photo by: R.S. Byther
Caption: Frost injury on plum
Photo by: R.S. Byther
Caption: Narcissus yellow bands
Photo by: R.S. Byther