Wilting

Wilting is a common symptom of too much heat and not enough water, but there are other causes of wilting that gardeners should understand.

Red Osier dogwood (Kate Russell)

In healthy plants, water is used to hold them upright. Plants conserve water by closing their stoma. If there isn’t enough water, the plants will start to fall over. Surprisingly, too much water can cause the same symptoms. This type of water stress causes the plant to drown and fall over.


Understanding the root cause of wilting can help you correct the situation and provide the proper treatment. Here are some other common causes of wilting.

• Transplant shock - Seedlings transplanted too early in their development into an unforgiving environment will often exhibit wilting. Underdeveloped root systems cannot absorb water and nutrients as readily as mature plant structures.
• Fungal wilt diseases - Fusarium wilt, onion white rot, and Verticillium wilt are just as few fungal diseases that block vascular tissues. These blockages halt the flow of water to stems and leaves, causing plants to wilt and, ultimately, die.
• Bacterial wilt diseases - Bacterial diseases that result in wilting are caused by one of three pathogens: Clavibacter, Erwinia, and Xanthomonas. These bacteria cause wilting in tomato, cucumber and corn, and cruciferous vegetables, respectively.
• Fungal girdling - The Sclerontina and Botrytis fungi attack and girdle stems, which can cause wilting. Girdling means to cut all the way around, cutting off the supply of water a nutrients.
• Nematodes - Nematodes feed on root tissues, causing wilt.
• Boring insects - Boring insects, such as squash bugs, may damage vascular tissue, indirectly causing wilt.
• Natural toxins - Some plants, such as walnut trees, produce toxins that cause other plants to wilt. Tomatoes are particularly susceptible to this form of territorial chemical warfare.
• Unnatural toxins - Many chemicals, especially herbicides, can cause wilting.

Obviously, the cause of wilting has to be figured out before a treatment or solution can be found.


What's the weirdest cause of wilting in your garden?