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Houseplant Diseases
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| Photo by Jack Kelly Clark, University of California |
BOTRYTIS (GRAY MOLD) Botrytis is a fungus that attacks the leaves, flowers,
stems, and bulbs of house hold plants. It first appears as a round brown or gray spot that gradually turns into a mass of
fuzzy gray spores. This is where the botrytis nickname gray mold comes from. Prevent Botrytis by examining your plant each
week and removing all dead or dying leaves & flowers that can serve as a breeding ground for botrytis. Keep water off
of the leaves and provide good air circulation around your plants. If your plant becomes infected trim off the diseased areas,
remove any soil that has mold on it, and spray with a commercial fungicide. If you are adverse to chemicals you can try this
homemade remedy; put a tablespoon or two of baking soda in a spray bottle, add a teaspoon or two of mineral oil, and fill
with water. Shake it up and spray every part of the plant. Botrytis particularly likes the flower buds on cyclamen, begonias,
African Violets, lilies, and geraniums
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| Photo by plant and pest diagnostic laboratory, Purdue University |
FUNGAL LEAF SPOT
The attacking fungus causes small brown spots
trimmed in yellow where it is feeding on the leaf. As with all the other fungal diseases better air circulation, well-drained
soil, and less water will help prevent this condition. You can use a commercial fungicide or the homemade remedy of putting
a tablespoon or two of baking soda and a teaspoon or two of mineral oil in a spray bottle, fill with water, and shake well.
And spray all areas of the plant.
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| Photo By Robin Rosetta, Oregon State University |
POWDERY MILDEW
There are several different fungi that can cause
powdery mildew. It shows up on the surface of leaves and on other parts of the plant as a powdery grayish white substance.
Grape ivy, begonias, and African Violets are prone to this disease. The powdery mildew causes the tissue in the leaves under
the fungus to die. This results in leaves falling off and a general decline in the growth of the plant. Remove all of the
dead or dying leaves from the plant and those that have dropped to the soil. Move your plant to an area with less humidity
and better air circulation. Prevent water from getting on the leaves. As with the other fungal plant diseases, use a commercial
fungicide or the homemade remedy of putting one or two tablespoons of baking soda, one or two teaspoons of mineral oil in
a spray bottle & filling it with water. Shake well & spray all parts of the plant.
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| Photo by Plant & Pest Diagnostic Laboratory at Purdue University |
RED BLOTCH:
This fungal infection has
many names, because it causes so many different problems. It is also known as leaf blotch, measles, and red spot.
This
disease looks worse than it is. It causes anything from small red spots to large brownish splotches that can disfigure the
leaves, stems, and flowers of a plant. The good news is that blotch does little to harm the basic health of a plant.
The
outer leaves are affected first because this is where water tends to get on the plant. The lesions never go very deep and
so the plant rarely needs to be treated. Remove all dead and decaying plant matter that serves as a breeding ground. Keep
water off of the foliage, stems, & flowers; and provide good air circulation to prevent red blotch.
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| Photo by S. Vann, University of Arkansas |
ROT (CROWN, ROOT, STEM)
This is a disease in which the crown
or top of the plant, roots, and stem get mushy, wilt, and finally die. Various fungi that are encouraged by warm wet conditions
cause this form of plant rot. To prevent this disease use soil that drains well. Do not over water, and provide good air circulation
around your plants. If your plant becomes infected trim off the diseased areas, and spray with a commercial fungicide. If
you are adverse to chemicals you can try this homemade remedy; put a tablespoon or two of baking soda in a spray bottle, add
a teaspoon or two of mineral oil, and fill with water. Shake it up and spray every part of the plant.
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