BUGS AND DISEASES

Chapter 94

There are many different sorts of bugs and diseases that can be a bit of a bother when it comes to plants. Dutch Elm Disease, or Elm's Balm. This disease is a fungal plant disease often transferred by a type of Beetle called the Elm Bark Beetle. The name comes from its initial discovery in a Dutch Elm tree in the Netherlands, and is not related to the disease's infection. This disease can be recognized by how the branches of the elm wither, and how the leaves yellow and die before Autumn comes. The dying of the tree is slow, and can take up to twenty years. The branches die first, then the roots are taken over. When the roots die, the tree is unable to supply water to the leaves, which eventually causes a full biological death. To heal the elm, Herbologists worked with Potioneers to develop an oily substance which can be used to coat an elm tree, preventing the fungus from spreading. Infected areas of the tree should be pruned and disposed of safely. Calling the disease Dutch Elm causes many misconceptions. For this reason, many chose to call it simply Elm Disease. Deep Elecano Stembrek's Disease (DESD). This disease, which will henceforth be abbreviated as DESD, only affects "magical" plants. It isn't that DESD wouldn't be able to harm a non magical plant, it's just a preferential thing. The disease thrives off of magic, rather like hanging bread crumbs in front of an owl. It's an inspiration for the disease to feed off of in the presence of other detriments. Now, what DESD does is a rather complicated issue. Many other diseases exist that affect plants which are present in the muggle understanding of the world. In these cases there is a basic level of research where Herbologist can spring forth from in their own studies. Making use of what information muggles can find and make note of is helpful in Herbology due to the lack of funding. Therefore in the area of a magical plant disease, the stream of information runs very dry. At least with the previous two diseases, Herbologists could take muggle research and add to it as resources allowed. There is only so much information I will be able to give you about DESD, without clouding fact with unsubstantiated theory. The clearest facts are as follows: 1. DESD affects the stem of the plant, hollowing out the centre until the stem wall is so thin that it breaks through. 2. In some, but not all cases, DESD attacks the roots, turning roots to an orange or a pinky yellow, and preventing further growth. 3. DESD over time takes away the magical ability of the plant. For example, Devil's Snare loses its ability to strangle, and then move at all. A dandelion's seeds lose their viability. Gillyweed will no longer invoke a transformation of the body to allow breathing underwater. Notes about treatment: One of the most common treatments which appears to have an effect is withholding water. DESD appears to need water to survive… but of course so does the plant. A heavy wind and constant air circulation will help the contamination from spreading No potion has been developed to cure a plant of DESD A spell for bugs: Nonperiurabis. We covered this one in first year, if you will recall. This spell protects a plant from attracting the attention of "magical" classified bugs. The protective nature of this spell is to shield a plant from the vision of those who might disturb it. A sort of invisible bubble forms around the plant, which contains the air in a certain radius depending on the size of the plant. Gurdyroot, for example, is protected within a span of five inches. The contained air will retain a perfect temperature and humidity to preserve the plant according to its state when the spell is placed upon it. The spell makes the plant blurry to any creature that is smaller than the radius the spell protects. For people who wear glasses, it is sort of like that blurry effect you get when an object is far out of your line of vision. You Bug Me: the Beetle. Beetles of all sorts can be annoying to those who work with plants. While they may be very beautiful, they are hazardous to the viability of your plants. A chewed through fruit cannot be eaten, and a nibbled leaf is contaminated, and is thus unsuitable for a potion. Beetles can transmit diseases which are able to kill entire fields of plants. Some beetles stay underground and chew out all the roots of the plants, which will also devastate an entire field. Nonperiurabis can be helpful, although most Herbologists also choose to add food grade diatomaceous earth to the soil when planting outdoors. The diatomaceous earth contains little particles which are not harmful to human or animals, but are sharp and biting against the feet of bugs. These particles get carried with the bug back to its home, so if you have an overpopulation of ants or the like, diatomaceous earth will be useful to you too. Some Types of Beetles (there are so many, I am only listing a tiny portion) Elm bark beetle Banded Alder Borer beetle Carpet beetle Powder Post beetle Merchant Grain beetle Snout beetle Checkered beetle Leaf beetle Tortoise beetle Spotted Cucumber beetle MoM regulations If a plant is going to be consumed, no substances containing items on the inconsumable list may be used to protect a plant, or to heal one. All plants which have been protected with something containing an inconsumable must be marked accordingly. There are laws in regards to degrees of contamination. For example, when a dandelion is contaminated by an inconsumable, it must go through three generations of seeds to be cleared of its contaminated status. Other plants may only need one, such as dittany, and some need ten, twenty, even thirty new generations. No contaminated plants may subsist in any area known to be populated by youths under eleven years of age. This is not a regulation, but I would like to add something as a Herbologist. If anyone under the age of 25 or who is pregnant comes into close contact with a contaminated plant such that parts might have been ingested, they should be taken to a healer immediately for check up!