One of the main causes for brown discoloration and wilted leaves in okra plants is Fusarium wilt. Fusarium wilt is a soilborne fungus that could have been transmitted by the natural soil that you included in the raised bed. An easy way to confirm Fusarium wilt is to cut and peel back a small section of the bark on the main stem close to the soil line. If this shows brown discoloration inside the stem, the okra has been infected with Fusarium wilt. Unfortunately, this cannot be treated. Do not use this soil with other plants that are not resistant to Fusarium wilt. Another possible culprit is the Japanese beetle, which could be eating holes in the leaves and making them appear skeletonized. Diseased plants are especially vulnerable to Japanese beetles, so both could be occurring simultaneously. Look to our for tips on how to control them organically.
One of the main causes for brown discoloration and wilted leaves in okra plants is Fusarium wilt. Fusarium wilt is a soilborne fungus that could have been transmitted by the natural soil that you included in the raised bed. An easy way to confirm Fusarium wilt is to cut and peel back a small section of the bark on the main stem close to the soil line. If this shows brown discoloration inside the stem, the okra has been infected with Fusarium wilt. Unfortunately, this cannot be treated. Do not use this soil with other plants that are not resistant to Fusarium wilt. Another possible culprit is the Japanese beetle, which could be eating holes in the leaves and making them appear skeletonized. Diseased plants are especially vulnerable to Japanese beetles, so both could be occurring simultaneously. Look to our for tips on how to control them organically.