Hendriks Greenhouses :: ailments and remedies

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plant care & identification retail handling ailments & remedies

CULTURAL

Symptom	Cause	Treatment
Pale growth; new leaves smaller than normal; plant stretches toward light; drops leaves.	Insufficient light	Move plants to brighter area or closer to light source; Add artificial light.
Foliage wilts; soil is dry.	Lack of water	Water thoroughly.
Foliage wilts; soil is moist; smells like decaying vegetation	Over watering	Water less often; Increase light so the plant can absorb the water better; Make sure growing media is well drained.
Growth is slow; leaves are pale.	Lack of fertilizer	Apply fertilizer during the growing season.
Growth is stunted; leaves are yellowed; crust like accumulation at the base of the plants stem and on pot rim.	Build up of mineral salts in the soil	In light cases, leach the soil with clear water. In more severe, re-pot into fresh soil.
Plant does not bloom.	Various causes, (too much water, too little light, etc.)	Improve growing conditions, (reduce water, increase light, etc.)

INSECTS

Symptom	Cause	Treatment
Leaves take on a mottled appearance and appear dusty underneath; tiny moving "spiders" can be seen if leaves are shaken over a sheet of white paper.	Spider Mites	Clean plant thoroughly with soapy water. Spray with insecticide. Keep air humid to prevent recurrence.

Little balls of "cotton", (actually slow moving insects or their egg cases), can be seen on plant stems, at leaf axils or on the root system; leaves yellow and may become covered with secretions.	Mealybugs	Touch individual insects and egg cases with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. Spray entire plant with a solution of 7 parts water and 1 part rubbing alcohol.

Shell or scale like bumps on leaves and stems; plants may yellow or become covered with secretions.	Scale insects	Scrape off shells with an old toothbrush dipped in soapy water. Treat with an insecticide.

Round-bodied, translucent insects, (green or black), cluster on new growth; plants may yellow or become covered with secretions.	Aphids	Wash plant thoroughly with a damp cloth dipped in soapy water. Treat with an insecticide.

Tiny, white insects rise up when plant is touched. Small translucent bumps are seen underneath the leaves.	Whiteflies	Suck up adults with a vacuum, then wash the plant with a damp cloth dipped in soapy water. Treat with an insecticide.

Leaves and foliage are streaked and mottled; hyphen-sized scatter when plant is breathed on. Tiny black excrements are found on infected plants.	Thrips	Remove severely infested flowers and foliage. Treat with an insecticide.

Tiny black midges are seen hovering around plants and elsewhere in the house; grub like larvae are seen in the soil.	Fungus Gnats and Sand flies	These insects are relatively harmless to indoor plants. Letting the soil dry out between watering will discourage them.

DISEASES

Symptom	Cause	Treatment
White mould appears on leaves and flowers; plant parts may yellow and die.	Mildew	Improve air circulation. Don't moisten foliage when watering. Treat with an appropriate fungicide.
Gray, fluffy mould appears on leaves and flowers; plant parts may yellow and die.	Grey Mould (Botrytis)	Improve air circulation. Don't moisten foliage when watering. Treat with an appropriate fungicide.
Yellow, brown, or black spots appear on leaf surfaces and may spread until the entire leaf dies.	Leaf Spot	Improve air circulation. Don't moisten foliage when watering. Treat with an appropriate fungicide.
Black patches appear at base of stem or underground on roots. The plant wilts and doesn't recover when watered. A smell of decaying vegetation may be noticed.	Root or Stem rot	Can be caused by various disease organisms, but is usually linked to over watering. Start the plant over from cuttings.

Be sure to use only appropriate pesticides, or fungicides to treat pests and diseases. Read the label carefully to ensure that the product treats the particular problem and that it is not harmful to the plant you are treating.

Whenever possible, use organic pesticides, insecticides, miticides and fungicides.

Take any and all precautions when using chemicals, especially where children and pets may be exposed.