Why Do My Collard Greens Look Unhealthy?

Do the leaves have spots?

Are there any brown to tan concentric rings with yellow edges on leaves, centers of lesions developing gray to brown soft fungal mold?

Are there any small circular or irregularly shaped dry spots that are gray to straw in color on leaves?

Are there any angular or circular green to gray spots with brown borders on leaves?

Are there any small, necrotic, brown spots on leaf tips or margins that mature to light gray or white with the original dark spot in center?

Have the seedlings developed wilted yellow to brown leaves and collapsed afterwards?

Are the roots enlarged and clublike, plants are stunted with yellowish leaves that wilt during the day?

Are the seedlings dying and the stems are girdled or rotted at soil line?

Are there singular, or closely grouped circular to irregularly shaped holes in the foliage?

Are the leaves curled and yellow, clusters of small insects are present?

Are there large or small holes in leaves, damage may be extensive?

Do the leaves have tiny holes?

Are the leaves covered in coarse stippling and may appear silvery?

Are the seedlings clipped off at the soil line?

These symptoms indicate Alternaria leaf spot. Warm, wet conditions favor this fungal disease. Spray infected plants with copper and/or sulfur to prevent further disease development.

These symptoms indicate Anthracnose. Disease emergence is favored by wet conditions. The fungus is spread by splashing water. Keep plants dry when watering to prevent spread. Spray plants with copper when the first pods develop if you have had problems in the past.

These symptoms indicate Cercospora leaf spot. This fungal disease only occurs in very warm climates. Spray plants with copper as soon as symptoms appear to prevent further symptom development.

These symptoms indicate White leaf spot. Warm, wet conditions favor this fungal disease. Spray infected plants with copper and/or sulfur to prevent further disease development.

If the leaves have pale areas on upper surfaces and "downy" patches underneath the cause is Downy mildew. This fungus spreads quickly during cool, wet nights and warm, humid days. Remove and destroy all affected plant parts and encourage good air circulation around plants. Water plants early in the morning to make sure they dry before nightfall.

Black rot is a bacterial disease that occurs in warm and wet conditions. Plant only disease-free seed. Rotate crops every 2 years or less to non-brassica. Avoid overhead watering.

Enlarged and clublike roots are most likely caused by fungal disease - Club root. Remove and destroy any infected plants. Applying lime to the soil can reduce fungus sporulation.

The most likely cause for these symptoms is a damping-off disease. Remove and destroy all infected plants. To prevent damping-off let the soil surface dry between waterings, thin seedlings to avoid overcrowding and do not add nitrogen fertilizers until plants have developed leaves.

Beet armyworm is a serious pest of collard greens. Organic methods of controlling armyworms include biological control by natural enemies that parasitize the larvae and the application of BTK spray (Bacillus thuringiensis).

Curled yellow leaves are often caused by aphids. You can control them by washing them off the plant with water spray. Insecticidal soap helps in severe infestations.

Cabbage looper is a caterpillar that sometimes attacks collard greens. Looper populations are usually held in check by natural enemies, but if they do become problematic larvae can be hand-picked from the plants. The application of BTK will effectively kill younger larvae.

Small holes in kale leaves are caused by Flea beetles. Prevent problems by covering young plants with row cover. Control severe infestations by spraying or dusting plants with pyrethrin.

These symptoms may indicate thrips. Severely infected plant parts should be removed and destroyed. Control thrips by introducing lady beetles or lacewings. Insecticidal soap helps in severe infestations.

If the seedlings of your plants are cut off at the soil level, most likely cause are cutworms. Control them by introducing parasitic nematodes to the ground. Using BTK spray on the ground will also control their numbers.

Yellow, stunted plants and roots that have swollen galls indicate root-knot nematodes. Other symptoms are plants wilting during bright, hot days. Prevent root-knot nematodes by applying parasitic nematodes or solarizing the soil before planting.