Can anyone tell me what the problem is and how do I get rid of it? The leaves are turning dark and there are spots on the bottom as if they were
being invaded/attacked by something ...
monoloco - 8-12-2013 at 11:14 AM
I don't know specifically is causing the rust spots, but recently a lot of our plants were looking less than healthy and I applied epsom salts
(magnesium) to the soil and now they are looking great.Bob and Susan - 8-12-2013 at 12:48 PM
you need a pet...
mcfez - 8-12-2013 at 01:11 PM
Early blight may be the issue. A copper spray / fungicide will help. Spray under the leaf(s) and while you are at it...the potting soil as
well.
Or
Zinc deficiency.
Also: turn the over into a bright lamp...look extremly close for any little specs. Those would be a type of mite.
I have enclosed this...It may help you greatly.....or just it will waste your time :-)
To use the Problem-Solver, simply start at #1 below. When you think you've found the problem, read the Nutrients section to learn more about it.
Diagnose carefully before making major changes.
1) If the problem affects only the bottom or middle of the plant go to #2. b) If it affects only the top of the plant or the growing tips, skip to
#10. If the problem seems to affect the entire plant equally, skip to #6.
2) Leaves are a uniform yellow or light green; leaves die & drop; growth is slow. Leaf margins are not curled-up noticeably. >> Nitrogen(N)
deficiency. b) If not, go to #3.
3) Margins of the leaves are turned up, and the tips may be twisted. Leaves are yellowing (and may turn brown), but the veins remain somewhat green.
>> Magnesium (Mg) deficiency. b) If not, go to #4.
4) Leaves are browning or yellowing. Yellow, brown, or necrotic (dead) patches, especially around the edges of the leaf, which may be curled. Plant
may be too tall. >> Potassium (K) deficiency. b) If not, keep reading.
5) Leaves are dark green or red/purple. Stems and petioles may have purple & red on them. Leaves may turn yellow or curl under. Leaf may drop
easily. Growth may be slow and leaves may be small. >> Phosphorus(P) deficiency. b) If not, go to #6.
6) Tips of leaves are yellow, brown, or dead. Plant otherwise looks healthy & green. Stems may be soft >> Over-fertilization (especially N),
over-watering, damaged roots, or insufficient soil aeration (use more sand or perlite. Occasionally due to not enough N, P, or K. b) If not, go to #7.
7) Leaves are curled under like a ram's horn, and are dark green, gray, brown, or gold. >> Over-fertilization (too much N). b) If not, go to #8.
8) The plant is wilted, even though the soil is moist. >> Over-fertilization, soggy soil, damaged roots, disease; copper deficiency (very
unlikely). b) If not, go to #9.
9) Plants won't flower, even though they get 12 hours of darkness for over 2 weeks. >> The night period is not completely dark. Too much
nitrogen. Too much pruning or cloning. b) If not, go to #10...
10) Leaves are yellow or white, but the veins are mostly green. >> Iron (Fe) deficiency. b) If not, go to #11.
11) Leaves are light green or yellow beginning at the base, while the leaf margins remain green. Necrotic spots may be between veins. Leaves are not
twisted. >> Manganese (Mn) deficiency. b) If not, #12.
12) Leaves are twisted. Otherwise, pretty much like #11. >> Zinc (Zn) deficiency. b) If not, #13
13) Leaves twist, then turn brown or die. >> The lights are too close to the plant. Rarely, a Calcium (Ca) or Boron (B) deficiency. b) If not.
You may just have a weak plant.
Quote:
Originally posted by BajaBlanca
Can anyone tell me what the problem is and how do I get rid of it? The leaves are turning dark and there are spots on the bottom as if they were
being invaded/attacked by something ...
DavidE - 8-12-2013 at 01:44 PM
Fascinating only the tips are discoloring noticeably. Try watering them less. Check drain holes on the bottom of the maceta for goo plugging them and
clear them out if necessary. This looks a lot like what happens when the lowest roots stay constantly submerged.woody with a view - 8-12-2013 at 08:36 PM
those elephant ear plants will invade any ground you plant them in. be careful, they are next to impossible to eradicate.BajaBlanca - 8-12-2013 at 08:58 PM
MITES !! I looked and there are mites. This isnt the only plant to have these little mites underneath the leaves ... and they really do cause a lot of
damage.
I have another plant that is exactly the same and it is pure healthy green, so I moved it away from this one. DavidE - These are both in water, pure
water, no soil. I do add fresh water once a week ....
woody - I have all my elephant ears in their own pots. I love them cause they remind me of tropical Brazilian plants.
mcfez - I love that list ... how cool is that !
monoloco - I am going to add epsom salts to my other plants (((:
Bob and Susan - sell me those talavera pots - they are gorgeous!Bob and Susan - 8-13-2013 at 05:09 AM
bugs...dish soap and water is all you needmcfez - 8-13-2013 at 07:12 AM
Mighty Mites!
Now just make sure that you spray ALL the plants you have. Every 7 days for 4 weeks.
Some plants can be sensitive to soaps, especially ferns. Beware.
1 bulb of garlic
1 small onion
1 tablespoon cayenne (red) pepper
2 tablespoons liquid soap
1 quart water
Spray bottle
Chop the onion and the garlic very finely, and add water. Then, add the cayenne pepper. Let the mixture sit for one hour, and add soap. Mix well, and
add to spray bottle. This mixture will last up to two weeks refrigerated.
OR
A good ol fashion can of Raid :-)
[Edited on 8-13-2013 by mcfez]BajaBlanca - 8-13-2013 at 09:02 AM
4 weeks and every day! Those are some nasty bugs then. Some of my other plants have the same mites and are looking horrible. I sure hope this
works.
Thanks all for posting. I had tried the soap n water but I thought it was a one time spray.Mexitron - 8-13-2013 at 01:34 PM
My own recipe for insects:
1 onion
1 clove garlic
cilantro
1 tomato
1 lime
1 jalapeno pepper
2 teaspoons dish soap/one quart water
Chop all ingredients except dish soap and put in a bowl. Eat with chips
Combine dish soap and water and spray on affected plants. mcfez - 8-13-2013 at 02:53 PM
Mites reproduce rapidly in hot weather and commonly become numerous in June through September. If the temperature and food supplies are favorable, a
generation can be completed in less than a week. Spray will NOT kill eggs................
Quote:
Originally posted by BajaBlanca
4 weeks and every day! Those are some nasty bugs then. Some of my other plants have the same mites and are looking horrible. I sure hope this
works.
Thanks all for posting. I had tried the soap n water but I thought it was a one time spray.
[Edited on 8-13-2013 by mcfez]Mexitron - 8-13-2013 at 03:39 PM
Mites are also controlled somewhat by spraying the leaves with water regularly--mites love house plants since they never get rained on and they're not
comfy with too much water.Lindalou - 8-13-2013 at 06:11 PM
dish soap, water, spray bottle. Spray top and bottom of leaves. Do everyday till gone. Worked for meBajaBlanca - 8-13-2013 at 08:59 PM
Mexitron ! You had me laughing literally right out loud! Good recipe ...
OK the soap and water will be used til the buggers are gone ....
Will this soap and water work on the white fuzz that is on some of the other plants esp a huge elephant's foot that I have ?Bob and Susan - 8-14-2013 at 06:08 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by BajaBlancaWill this soap and water work on the white fuzz that is on some of the other plants esp a huge elephant's foot
that I have ?
the "white fuzz" is probably mold...too much water
or its not draining out of the pot
i'd cut down on the water
the soap washes off wax on the insects and they die
you'll see certain dish soaps work better than others...i'd use the one that work best on MY dishesvgabndo - 8-14-2013 at 06:45 AM
You don't report seeing any webs, but Spider Mites can infest adjacent plants, and they will win in the end without careful work. On one of my
gardens, I had to use Ionized Water, administered with an atomizer to coat the infected areas without damaging the plants. The stuff is sold in
"specialty" stores and is $40. a quart.
The white 'stuff', may be snowy mildew, and a wash with Sodium Bicarb. can be very effective.
I hope that helps a little Blanca.BajaBlanca - 8-14-2013 at 08:17 AM
sodium bicarbonate ... ON!
thanks all, it is very frustrating to spend so much time caring for plants and then having them look ugly and die a slow death ....
one of the rarer cactus that I have at the B&B is about to flower...picture coming soon.Mexitron - 8-14-2013 at 12:01 PM
Do you have a pic of the white fuzz Blanca? Could be white flies or mealybug which the soap would work on as well.
