Why Dieffenbachia is sick and does not grow: the leaves turn yellow. Dieffenbachia pests

HomeDieffenbachiaWhy Dieffenbachia is sick and does not grow: the leaves turn yellow....

Healthy dieffenbachia is characterized by intensive growth and bright leaves of appropriate sizes and colors for the variety . If the plant loses its attractiveness and starts to hurt, this is most often associated with care errors, violations of the temperature or water regime. Let us consider in more detail why dieffenbachia is sick and what measures must be taken to prevent damage to the flower by pests and diseases.

Dieffenbachia pests

Despite the fact that the plants are poisonous , they are quite often affected by pests.

The most common:

Spider mite, a sign of damage to which is the presence of cobwebs in the internodes of trunks, sluggish and falling leaves.

Thrips , small (1-2 mm) bugs that suck the juices from the plant, which leads to stunting, curling and drying of the leaves.

Aphids, numerous colonies of which not only weaken plants by sucking out the intercellular fluid, but are also carriers of various diseases.

The appearance of spider mites, thrips and aphids on dieffenbachia is especially facilitated by dry indoor air (relative humidity below 60%).

Scale insects and false scale insects that suck juice from leaves and stems, leaving characteristic secretions, brown plaques that are difficult to remove. The leaves become discolored, dry and fall off.

Mealybugs, insects 3-6 mm in size, affecting leaves, stems and flowers, which are covered with a white mealy coating. The leaves are deformed and dry out, which can lead to the death of the entire plant.

Measures to combat all of the listed dieffenbachia pests are similar, they consist in their mechanical removal with a sponge and a soapy solution, followed by rinsing under running warm water, and treating, if necessary, with insecticidal preparations, actellik or karbofos, at a concentration of 15 drops per liter of water.

Dieffenbachia diseases

Most Dieffenbachia diseases belong to the fungal group, of which the most common are:

Leaf spot, which causes the appearance along the edge of the leaves, primarily the lower ones, small brown spots with an orange border, gradually capturing the surface of the entire leaf plate. The disease is transmitted with plant debris and water.

Anthracnose , in which fairly large spots appear on the edges of the leaf plates, gradually spreading to the entire surface and causing drying and death of the leaf. The disease is transmitted with plant debris and water.

Both diseases provoke high temperature and humidity, waterlogged soil, as control measures it is recommended to optimize the temperature regime and watering, as well as treat the affected specimens with a systemic fungicide, for example, foundationol or Vitaros.

Fusarium , affects the root collar and the root of the flower, where dark depressed elongated spots form. Infected Dieffenbachia turns yellow and withers. On the damaged areas, you can see the light pink mycelium of the fungus. The causative agent of the disease remains in the soil for a long time, spreads when touching diseased and healthy plant roots. The disease is promoted by overdrying and lack of potassium.

For the prevention of fusarium, it is recommended to use high-quality soil, healthy planting material, treated for disinfection with a biological fungicide (for example, hyocladin). When signs of the disease appear, spraying with a systemic fungicide is carried out.

Root rot , which manifests itself in the form of dark depressed areas on the neck and roots, gradually capturing the entire tissue and causing decay, and later lodging and death of the plant. The affected areas are covered with light gray mycelium. The disease is transmitted through the soil, it is promoted by an excess of fertilizers and moisture in the soil, lack of ventilation, and high temperatures. In the presence of signs of damage, watering is limited, the substrate is replaced and treated with a systemic fungicide.

Of the bacterial diseases, we note the Dieffenbachia bacteriosis, in which watery areas with sharply defined boundaries appear on the trunks and leaves. In the future, they become brown or brown. The disease spreads through infected plant residues during mechanical damage, for example, when cuttings. Flowers that are kept at elevated temperature and humidity, with an increased amount of fertilizers in the soil, are more affected. Diseased specimens are destroyed.

Viral diseases include:

Bronzing dieffenbachia , manifested in the appearance of yellow circles, rings and arcs on the surfaces, the affected leaves wither, while remaining hanging on the trunks, often on one infected side.

Viral mosaic , which is characterized by mosaic leaf spot.

Dieffenbachia affected by these diseases does not grow, stops developing, cannot be treated, and must be destroyed to prevent the spread of the virus. The pathogen is carried by insects, thrips (bronze) or aphids (mosaic). A preventive measure is insecticide treatment.

Other Problems When Growing Dieffenbachia

In addition to the pests and diseases listed above, dieffenbachia can suffer from improper care and inappropriate conditions. Consider some of the questions that often arise among amateur flower growers.

Why does Dieffenbachia turn yellow? Most often, the cause of this behavior is low air temperature in winter or drafts, as well as a lack of nutrients and watering with hard water. Yellowing of the lower leaves with intensive growth of the top usually signals that the flower needs to be transplanted into a larger pot. Dieffenbachia leaves turn yellow and are affected by root rot.

Why do dieffenbachia leaves curl? This usually occurs when damaged by pests, also when watering with cold water, drafts and low temperatures.

Why does the stem become soft and rot? The reason is waterlogging combined with low air temperature. If the decay is small, you can try to remove it by filling the cut with activated or charcoal, if it is large, cut off the flower, root the top.

Why does Dieffenbachia dry? If the old leaves dry, then this is a natural process; when the decorative effect is lost and the stem is exposed, Dieffenbachia is rejuvenated by cutting and rooting the top. If young leaves dry, the cause may be dry soil, cold air, drafts.

Why do leaf edges turn brown? Most likely, this is caused by the drying of the soil or low temperatures in winter.

Why are the leaves discoloring? The reason is too bright lighting or direct sunlight on the plant.

Why is Dieffenbachia crying? This comes from excessive watering, the flower protects itself from excess moisture in the soil. The same behavior is characteristic of dieffenbachia before rain. As a rainforest dweller, the plant prepares itself for excess water and opens channels to get rid of it.

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Wednesday, November 8, 2023