🧬Viral diseasesSevere

Mosaic Virus

This problem spreads through handling, insects or soil rather than the weather, so there is no live forecast risk — focus on prevention below.

When it strikes

Temperature
Humidity
Leaf wetness
Not needed
Season
Spring, Summer

About

Mosaic viruses (Tobacco mosaic, Cucumber mosaic and relatives) infect tomatoes, peppers, cucurbits and many ornamentals, spread by handling, aphids and contaminated tools, with no cure once infected.

Symptoms

Mottled light and dark green or yellow mosaic patterns on leaves, distortion, puckering and stunting; fruit may be mottled, lumpy or fail to set.

Organic Treatment

There is no cure — remove and destroy infected plants to protect the rest. Control aphid vectors and wash hands and tools after handling.

Chemical Treatment

No chemical controls the virus; insecticides only reduce aphid spread.

Prevention

Plant resistant varieties and clean seed, control aphids, disinfect tools, wash hands (especially smokers, for TMV), and remove weeds that host the virus.

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