Diseases of indoor plants: fungal diseases. Part 1

The diseases of houseplants caused by fungi are very numerous. Fungal diseases have various forms of manifestation: stains on leaves and stems, decay of roots, root cervix and other signs. We describe the most common fungal diseases of indoor plants.

Powdery mildew

Powdery mildew appears on leaves of plants due tolesions of the flower with erisiphic fungi. This disease of houseplants is very easy to recognize by the appearance of a typical white mealy plaque, which eventually darkens. Most often powdery mildew affects roses, begonias, senpolia and chrysanthemums. To prevent the fungus from spreading to other flowers, it is necessary to remove diseased shoots and leaves. The diseased plant is sprayed with solutions of Fundazol, Benzlate and Topsin-M in a concentration of 0.2%. Repeat the treatment after 10-12 days. Also, plants affected by powdery mildew can be sprayed with a solution of soda (4-5 g per 1 liter of water) with the addition of simple soap.

Downy mildew

Downy mildew often affects most plants. But worst of all, this disease is tolerated by roses, hydrangeas and cineraria. Downy powdery mildew affects the leaves, but with a strong spread of mycelium fungus can penetrate into the vessels of the plant. This disease manifests itself on the leaves: first, small yellow and then brown spots of irregular shape form on their surface. And from the underside of the leaves a gray coating forms, which then gradually turns black. Infection with downy mildew occurs through unsecured soil and seeds. To prevent disease, plant seeds should be immersed in hot water at a temperature of 50 ° C for 20 minutes. On adult plants affected by this fungal disease, it is necessary to remove diseased shoots and leaves. To prevent this disease of houseplants spread further, flowers are sprayed with such medications: Ordan, Bravo, Quadrice SK.

Gray rot

Gray rot most often develops on plants thatare kept in conditions of high humidity. Most often this disease of indoor plants is subject to begonia, gloxinia, senpolia, cyclamen. Gray rot is very easy to determine: in the early stages of the disease, the leaves become weak and lose their normal color. Later on the leaf appears a gray fluffy coating. Affected areas are then softened, brown and die. Gray rot reproduces very quickly: when the air moves in the room, spraying or watering the spores of the fungus get on the leaves of healthy plants. In order not to let the gray rot spread further, it is necessary to ventilate the room more often in order to keep the humidity level in the norm. Also, plants should be kept as far apart as possible. Fungal infected plants are sprayed with Topsin-M solution (0.1%), Benzlate and Fundazol (0.2% each). You can also use a solution of copper sulfate (0.2%) and green soap. Do not forget to remove all affected leaves and shoots. Repeated treatment of the plant should be done after 10-12 days.

Leaf spotting

Leaf spotting can be caused by various pathogens: nematodes, fungi or bacteria. In the case of a fungal disease, yellow and brown spots appear on the leaves, which constantly become wet. These spots grow over time and completely damage the entire leaf. This disease of indoor plants appears due to strong direct sunlight or because of spraying the leaves with water too warm or cold water. Most often fungal leaf spot affects the dracenas, diffenbachia and citrus plants. The control of spotting is similar to the methods of treating plants from gray rot. Also, as a preventive measure, you can recommend to reduce watering and stop spraying the plant. It is also important to remember that in the future, it is possible to spray the leaves only with water at room temperature.

The appearance of a patch on the leaves indicatesnumerous fungal diseases. These diseases of houseplants are caused by various fungi. Therefore, the name of the disease will be different. Thus, leaves are referred to as leaf spots anthracnose (most often it damages ficus and palms), phyllosticosis (the appearance of holes on the leaves), ascochitis (brown, reddish spots with a yellow rim), septoriosis (dark brown or dark gray spots with a yellow border) and red burn (typical for gippera-astrums, manifested in the form of narrow red spots on leaves, onions and peduncles).