6 Common Plant Diseases that can be damaging your indoor plants
January 12, 2021Are you aware of what could be the possible reason behind your beloved plants dying? How can you ensure their good health so that they don't catch common plant diseases? Let’s find out.
Indoor plants exhibit various types of diseases when they don't receive the right kind of nutrition. Most of plant diseases occur because of some kind of fungal infection. But, serious plant diseases in indoor plants are caused by bacteria and viruses.
It becomes imperative that plant disease identification happens quickly and on time. Hence, it becomes easier to treat indoor plants. Most of the infections that cripple your plant babies can be cured by Neem Raksha Oil but there are few other methods too like picking out pests or cutting the plant parts when the situation gets out of control.
Let us look at the type of diseases the plants are plagued with when placed indoors.
1. Bacterial Leaf Spots:
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Various bacteria are known to attack the plants which are placed in the interiors. Some of the infections appear to be systemic, while others remain in the form of localised lesions.
The symptoms include the leaf turning from green to brown, or there is an occurrence of leaf spots that appear to be watery lesions. In some plants, the tissues also collapse. With this, the plant emits a rotten smell.
The symptoms on the leaves appear in the shape of angles or v-shapes. The signs also include yellowing leaf margins, blister shaped spotting in one place. Also, it includes the spots from where the leaf may fall out.
If the plant is systemically infected, then there is no way to treat it. It is best to discard such plants. In the case of mild infection, the infected leaves should be spotted, picked off, and removed from the plant.
You can also use the techniques where the plant gets plenty of air and where the humidity levels are in control. Ensure that the plant is watered early in the morning, which gives it plenty of time to dry up the leaf surface.
If you have multiple plants, you should maintain enough space between two plants to ensure good air circulation.
2. Fungal Spots:
Other common houseplant diseases in the indoor plants include fungal spots. Various species of fungi cause fungal spots. This fungal infection can cause plants to develop spots on the leaves.
Circular spots that range from reddish-brown spots to black or lesions that run together are generally easy to notice. It may cause large lesions that are irregularly shaped. In some extreme cases of infection, the entire leaf is blighted.
The growing point of infection gets destroyed if it attacks the newest leaves. In the case of severe infection, extensive leaf drop is seen. Such a condition can lead to dieback in the infected plant or shrub.
You can pick up the infected leaves and remove them from the plant. Allow plenty of air circulation to maintain the plant in good health. Also, if you have many plants closely placed, ensure that you allow enough space between them.
This ensures that all the plants get enough air to maintain their health.
3. Botrytis or Grey Mold:
For this specific plant disease identification, among the common house plant diseases, you can check for the greying areas on the aged leaves. You can easily spot the grey spores on the infected leaves.
These can quickly enlarge themselves and may even cause a collapse of tissue. It is not a serious pathogen, yet this fungus is known to infect the aged tissues. The factors that encourage the infection can include wet leaves, increased humidity, cool room temperature, and cloudy weather. To avaoid such circumstances, it is necessary to take care of health of plants on a regular basis.
4. Powdery Mildew:
Certain species of fungus are responsible for causing powdery mildew on indoor plants. In the beginning stage of infection, powdery white spots can be spotted in the infected areas.
As the infection spreads, the white spots spread out and cover up the entire surface. Better air circulation, sufficient spacing between the two plants, and a less humid environment can prevent the infection.
If the infection is in its initial stage, the infected leaves should be picked out and removed with the help of gardening tools. You can choose to use registered fungal treatment options, but fixing certain environmental conditions can prevent the infection.
5. Stem Cankers:
When the fungus and bacterial pathogens attack the plant, they cause cankers or lesions on the plants. It causes darkening of an area in the stem or branch that covers the tissues. These tissues of the remaining stem area on the plant can die.
In some cases, the plant may begin to yellow or wither if the base of the stem is infected. Some cankers may cause watery or mushy tissues. If it is in early stages, you can spray organic concotions specially prepared to treat plant disease. If the plant is severely infected, there is no option other than discarding the entire house plant.
In the treatment of plant diseases, make sure to have low humidity levels, sufficient spacing between the plants, and early watering to allow drying time.
6. Viruses:
With various kinds of viruses, common house plants are prone to multiple types of infections. With viral infection, the plant may start to have tissues that become lifeless over time.
Also, unnaturally appearing dark and light green patterns that look like mosaic can be seen. This virus may also cause abnormal or disrupted growth with discolouration seen in the flowers.
Generally, after the initial viral infection symptoms, the secondary growth of infection does not show any signs. There is practically no cure for a plant that is infected with the virus.
But, proper care should be exercised to see that healthy plants don't catch the virus. Moreover, the infected plants should be prevented from being used in the propagation.
With the increasing use of indoor plants in a clustered environment, plant diseases have become common. Are your house plants getting infected too? Let us know so that we can get them treated.
Nurserylive also has a plethora of fertiliser and plant food options to ensure your indoor plants’ healthy growth. Go check out the website now!