Each plant has its own character, its needs and requirements. But to ensure that all indoor plants have the right care, it is not necessary to be a professional botanist, the basic knowledge of what your plants need is enough to help them grow up healthy and beautiful. In this article we will talk about what diseases and pests of houseplants can unpleasantly affect their life.
Almost all diseases of indoor plants occur under the influence of unfavorable environmental factors - inadequate nutrition, excessive moisture or dry air, unsuitable temperature conditions, because of poor soil quality. Such diseases can not be transmitted to other plants. Insufficient air humidity is one of the most common causes of various diseases. Dry air is a favorable environment for the development of pests, such as thrips and spider mites. Humidify the air can be by spraying the air with water. It should be said that watering plants with cold water, you run the risk of causing the disease of the root system. The optimum water temperature for watering indoor plants is 3-4 degrees above room temperature. Most often, indoor plants are subjected to the following diseases. Powdery mildew - its development is promoted by a dry and warm environment. When it occurs, a white coating appears on the leaves, kidneys or shoots, which is easily erased. With a strong defeat of powdery mildew, part of the plant turns black and dies. To heal the affected plant, it must be isolated, removed the affected leaves or other parts of the plant and sprayed with sulfur-containing preparations. The disease "black leg", as a rule, affects stalk cuttings, especially it is susceptible to pelargonium. The disease is caused by too moist or compacted soil, which prevents drainage. When the disease, due to the action of the Botrytis fungus, blackens the base of the cuttings. The method of struggle, with the disease is as follows: it is necessary to remove the affected stalk, and in the subsequent planting, make sure that the soil is not too wet. The rot of the stems, caused by the fungus, can spread very quickly to the whole plant, and lead to its death. With this disease, the crown or part or base of the stem becomes softer, and begins to rot. If the fungus has hit most of the plant, it must be discarded with the soil and pot. At the initial stage of the disease, the plant can be saved by removing all the affected parts. In the future, do not over-moisten the soil, regularly ventilate the room and do not expose the plant to low temperatures. Leaf spotting may be fungal or bacterial in nature. When the plant is damaged, brown maculae can be seen on its leaves. When the disease progresses, the spots grow and merge, hitting the entire leaf. To save the plant from this disease, the affected leaves need to be removed and burned, for a while to reduce watering and spray the plant with a systemic fungicide. No less dangerous for the life of plants are pests of houseplants. It would seem, how can they get on indoor plants, if it is protected from the outside environment by window panes? Pests may appear due to improper care of plants, or if you have acquired an infected plant. To prevent the appearance of pests, make sure that the soil for transplantation is healthy. Typically, the soil that can be purchased in specialized stores meets all the necessary conditions for normal plant life, but a homemade mixture of compost and garden lands can already be infected with pests. If you suddenly found that one of the plants is infected with pests, isolate it from all the others, that pests could not hit healthy plants. If possible, remove parts of the plant that are particularly affected by insects and treat the plant with a systemic fungicide. Do not forget to thoroughly wipe the place where the plant was, pests can live there for a long time. Most often the plant is infected with aphids - a small insect of orange, gray or black color. In general, aphids affect plants consisting of soft tissues, sucking the juice from the tips of shoots and buds. To treat the plant it is necessary to spray it with preparations containing permethrin. Mushroom mosquitoes. The adults of these insects flying around the plant are completely harmless, and their tiny larvae are dangerous to the plant. They eat not only organic remains in the soil, but also are able to devour the roots of young plants. To get rid of them, it is recommended to water the soil with an insecticide. Another pest, very often striking begonia, fuchsia, pelargonium and balsam - insect whitefly. Their larvae usually fill the lower part of the leaves, sucking out the juice and leaving the characteristic sugary discharge. Affected areas of the leaf or leaf completely turns yellow and soon disappears. The whitefly is multiplying very quickly, and it is difficult to fight it. It is recommended to spray the plants at intervals of three days, with a permetric drug. Shield. Shields are small brown formations that are attached along veins on the bottom of the leaf. Thanks to the wax shield, adult insects are protected from the effects of systemic insecticides. This shield can be easily removed with a cotton swab or a damp cloth, and after they are removed the plant should be sprinkled with a systemic insecticide. When the plant is severely affected, it is very difficult or almost impossible to fight with a scabbard.
In order to ensure that your plants are always healthy and not infected with diseases and pests, do not neglect their regular care, more often inspect stems, leaves and buds and ventilate the room and your indoor plants will please you with their beauty and splendor.