If you have questions, please consult with your local county Extension agent. Attach additional information as needed. Material that has been dead for some time is often useless for diagnosis. Do not wash samples since this may remove pathogen structures and encourage growth of secondary organisms. Submission of healthy samples for comparison is encouraged.
Plastic bags are ideal for use in mailing most plant samples, as they prevent drying.
Never add moisture, such as wet paper towels, as this encourages growth of secondary microorganisms and may lead to sample decay and incorrect diagnosis. Keep samples cool but not frozen before mailing. Use mailing containers that prevent crushing of samples. It is important to include date of sample collection and date mailed. This information, along with a complete description of the problem, is needed so that damage or contamination of the sample during transit will not be confused with the real problem.