Ecampus HORT 349: Diagnosing Plant Problems - An Introduction

Horse Chestnut Leaf Burn

Neil Bell | Community Horticulturist | Department of Horticulture | Northwest Plant Evaluation Program
Jay Pscheidt | Professor and Extension Plant Pathology Specialist | Department of Botany and Plant Pathology

Horticultural Troubleshooting

Dr. Jay Pscheidt and I co-teach Ecampus HORT 349: Diagnosing Plant Problems - An Introduction. It is a 3-credit course taught during Spring term which covers a systematic process for diagnosing plant problems as well as exploring both biotic and abiotic causes of plant stress.

Digging Deep

Because a major aspect of community horticulture involves assisting homeowners with garden-related problems, becoming more familiar with the causes of plant problems was essential to assisting them. I do have classwork in plant pathology and entomology as part of my B.S. and M.S. degrees, but much of the material used in the class is the result of on-the-job training! Because we assist homeowners, we receive requests for assistance with a wide array of different plants and problems, which is a challenge but also a constant learning experience.

The Root of the Problem

The course is intended to provide a systematic framework in which to gather information about a plant problem using patterns of symptoms and signs in the plant population, the plant itself, or its parts. This allows us to distinguish among the many diverse causes of plant problems and allow for evidence-based diagnoses.

It Takes a Village

Our clients are actually a source for much of the material used in the course. We are also fortunate to have many colleagues at OSU and other local organizations with commodity specialties upon whom we can call for assistance with specific problems, which is very helpful indeed.