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Care & 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.) |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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copyright © 2010 Hendriks Greenhouses
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