How To: Identify problems with vegetable plants

Curtis Smith, Extension Horticulturist with Southwest Yard and Garden, and Rick Daniell, Bernalillo County Horticultural Agent, discuss how to identify problems with vegetable plants in your garden. Gray or white spots on a squash leaf are natural if they do not rub off. Blossom end rot can afflict tomatoes, squash, chilies and melons. Blossom end rot indicates a calcium deficiency during times of vigorous growing during uneven watering. Fertilize when the plants are young. Sun scald can afflict cucumbers and tomatoes due to harsh sunlight conditions. Cracks in the vegetables and fruits can be caused by uneven watering. Note that hybrid seeds will not produce the same crop as they originally were planted for and you will encounter an unknown factor.