Plant Clinic - Free Plant Diagnostic Services

The Plant Clinic is one of our most valuable community services. Staffed by trained Master Gardener volunteers, our Plant Clinic provides free diagnostic assistance to help you identify and solve plant problems. Whether you are dealing with a mysterious disease, unknown insect pest, or challenging growing conditions, our volunteers can help you find answers.

How the Plant Clinic Works

Our Plant Clinic operates as a walk-in service during scheduled hours. You can bring in plant samples, photographs, or simply describe your problem. Our trained volunteers will:

Examine your samples using hand lenses and microscopes

Research your problem using diagnostic keys and reference materials

Consult university-based resources and databases

Provide science-based recommendations for management

Refer complex cases to Extension specialists when needed

The American Phytopathological Society and university plant pathology labs provide the scientific foundation for our diagnostic work. We use the same evidence-based approaches employed by professional plant diagnosticians.

Bringing Samples to the Clinic

To help us diagnose your problem effectively, please follow these guidelines when collecting samples:

Plant Disease Samples

Include both healthy and affected plant tissue when possible

Keep samples cool and moist (wrap in damp paper towel, place in plastic bag)

Bring samples promptly - deteriorated samples are harder to diagnose

Note when symptoms first appeared and how they progressed

Insect Samples

Place insects in a sealed container with a small piece of paper towel

Live insects are preferable to crushed specimens

If insects are too small or mobile to capture, clear photographs help

Note where on the plant the insects were found

Helpful Information

The more context you can provide, the better we can help:

What type of plant is affected?

How long have you had the plant?

What are the growing conditions (sun/shade, soil type, irrigation)?

Have you applied any fertilizers or pesticides recently?

Are nearby plants also affected?

Common Questions We Address

Our Plant Clinic volunteers regularly help with questions including:

Plant Diseases: Fungal, bacterial, and viral infections; environmental disorders

Insect Identification: Distinguishing pests from beneficial insects; management options

Weed Identification: Identifying unknown plants; management strategies

Soil Problems: Nutrient deficiencies; pH issues; drainage concerns

Cultural Care: Pruning, fertilizing, watering, and planting questions

Plant Selection: Recommendations for specific sites and conditions

We cannot recommend specific brand-name products

We cannot diagnose human or animal health issues related to plants

We cannot provide on-site consultations (clinic visits only)

Complex lab testing may require referral to professional laboratories

Visit our resources page for links to Extension publications and online diagnostic tools you can use at home.

Visit during our scheduled clinic hours for free plant diagnostic assistance.

Check our events calendar for current hours.

Clear, detailed photographs can help us identify many problems. Include close-ups and wide shots showing the whole plant.

Plant Clinic Services