Kalanchoe diseases: the main causes of diseases and methods of dealing with them
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Kalanchoe belongs to succulents. To date, there are about 200 known plant species. Sizes can range from 4 cm to several meters. Some varieties can grow at home. The flower is popular in alternative medicine. Kalanchoe is a fairly strong and sturdy flower that can adapt to different conditions, but, regardless of where the plant grows, it is characterized by some diseases.
The main diseases of the Kalanchoe
The main and most common Kalanchoe diseases include:
- Yellowing of the leaves;
- Drying;
- White bloom;
- Stem rot, etc.
Kalanchoe - home "doctor"
Yellowing of leaves
There are several reasons why the leaves of the Kalanchoe turn yellow. The first reason lies in the lack of light. Most often this happens in the winter, when the daylight hours are too short. In such cases, the plant is supplemented with a phytolamp. The second reason why Kalanchoe leaves turn yellow and dry may be too low air temperature. Kalanchoe is a frost-resistant plant, it does not withstand temperatures below + 10 ° C. The ideal temperature for flower development is + 18 ° C. Also, yellowing of the leaves can provoke improper watering. It can be both rare and too abundant. The plant needs watering approximately once every 3-4 days.
Desiccation
In some cases, the hardy Kalanchoe can begin to dry out. There are reasons for this, too. If you do not notice yellow leaves in time and do not take any of the actions described below, the main trunk of the flower may begin to dry out. In addition to the air temperature, lack of light, the amount of watering, it is recommended to pay attention to the quality of the water with which the plant is watered. The flower can die when used for irrigation with hard water. Another factor that influences the color of leaves and stems is exhaustion. In most cases, it starts after the color reset. At this time, a mixture of mineral fertilizers must be introduced into the soil.
Kalanchoe leaves begin to curl
White bloom
White bloom on the leaves of the plant is a sign of powdery mildew damage. This is a fungal disease with a characteristic bloom.
What to do if there is white bloom on the leaves on the Kalanchoe? The very first action should be to move the flower to the quarantine zone, since in a short period of time powdery mildew can infect all nearby flowers. The main cause of this fungal disease is dry indoor air. The flower is treated by transferring it to a cooler and more humid place, increasing the number of watering, and treating it with fungicides.
Stem rot
When a plant is affected by this disease, its trunk begins to darken and dry, the leaves become watery and sticky. If you do not take any action, the flower will dry out after some time. The very first action that must be taken in case of Kalanchoe stem rot is to measure the temperature of the water used to water the plant. Low temperatures of water and air provoke stem rot, to put it simply, the Kalanchoe is frozen over. It is possible to get rid of the disease only in the early stages.With a complete defeat of the trunk, it is not possible to save the flower.
Stem rot
Others
There are diseases in which the plant cannot be saved. This includes annular spotting. It manifests itself in brown spots of a round shape on the leaves of the Kalanchoe.
Another common disease that Kalanchoe is prone to is called late blight. Irregular brown spots begin to appear on the plant. The tips of the leaves dry up and begin to curl. The main causes of this disease are:
- Excessive watering;
- Lack of ventilation.
The appearance of a sticky layer on the leaves is a sign of gray mold. With this disease, the leaves cease to keep their shape, become lethargic, soft. The plant sheds the affected leaves on its own, but if you start to pluck them, they turn into a mushy mass.
Causes of diseases
The causes of Kalanchoe diseases can be errors in plant care. For example, most common diseases appear after abundant and prolonged watering, since constantly moist soil is an ideal place for the formation of mold, fungal spores and the vital activity of bacteria. The soil must dry before the next watering. Sometimes pests can be the cause of wilting.
Pests
Kalanchoe can be attacked by such pests:
- Scale;
- Aphid;
- Shield.
Aphids are dark green insects. Most often appears in early spring on the lower surface of the leaf. Its appearance can be provoked by the frequent introduction of nitrogenous dressings. Aphids suck liquid from the leaves and stem of the plant, and they change color to light, gradually begin to fade. The surface of the flower becomes watery and sticky. Among other things, the insect emits a substance that is toxic to the Kalanchoe. As a result of the ingress of this poison into the plant, it ceases to bloom. Barely appeared buds immediately fall off.
It is possible to treat Kalanchoe from aphids only by cutting off the affected leaves. It is recommended to treat the remaining healthy stems and leaves with insecticides. Aphids are a tenacious insect. You should get rid of it in stages. The plant needs to be sprayed at least 4 times. The interval between them should be about 7-10 days.
Aphids are a dangerous pest
The scale insect is not as dangerous to the plant as the two pests listed above, but it very often attacks the Kalanchoe. The pest appears on the lower surface of the leaf. The scabbard is capable of secreting a substance that is an ideal environment for the development of a sooty fungus. It is recommended to fight this pest by treating the stems and leaves with a solution containing laundry soap.
Disease control options
When the first symptoms of the disease appear in Kalanchoe, it is necessary to place it in a quarantine zone and create ideal conditions for the plant. Kalanchoe does not like direct sunlight, so it must be placed in a place with diffused light. It is also recommended not to overuse watering. It is necessary to water the plant when the soil dries up after the previous ingress of moisture. Experienced flower growers advise watering in the pot pan. Then the flower will take the liquid when it needs it. This method will exclude the possibility of drying out and strong moistening of the Kalanchoe root system.
Examples of flower treatment at home
Kalanchoe has medicinal properties and is often used in alternative medicine to treat diseases of the upper respiratory tract, sore throat, inflammation of the adenoids, damage to the upper layers of the epidermis, etc.
For acute respiratory diseases 1 tsp. the juice of the plant is mixed with the same amount of honey. The resulting mass should be eaten 2 times a day.
Alcohol tincture with Kalanchoe juice will help reduce joint pain. For this, the ingredients are mixed in a 1: 1 ratio. The resulting mixture is rubbed on the joints several times a day.
Cooking tincture with Kalanchoe juice
How to pinch a Kalanchoe
Kalanchoe is a growing plant. What to do if the Kalanchoe is stretched out? There is only one option - to cut. How to pinch a Kalanchoe so as not to harm it? The pruning itself consists in removing the upper weak shoots that lack nutrients. The plant does not need to be prepared for the topping procedure.
How to pinch a Kalanchoe at home? This can be done with scissors, you can just pluck the shoots with your hands. As a rule, no wounds form at the trimming site. If the wound does appear, it must be sprinkled with ash or coal. After a while, two new shoots will appear at the cut site, which will very soon begin to stretch out.
Kalanchoe does not require much attention to itself. This is a fairly hardy flower, but in Russia it can only grow at home or in a greenhouse. This plant will not survive in the open field without replanting for the winter.
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