What aloe diseases do flower growers most often encounter? This root rot, nematodes, thrips and spider mites. Often aloe leaves turn yellow, become soft or curl. Why do aloe leaves turn yellow, dry out, and curl? What to do? Experts solve a number of problems with growing aloe, and will also tell you how to professionally deal with pests and plant diseases. Photos of aloe will help you understand the signs.
Aloe diseases due to improper care
Because of improper care most often aloe dries and turns yellow. The plant's leaves also curl and turn red. Universal solution there is no problem, and therefore experts consider each case separately. So, what to do if the aloe leaves curl and turn yellow, or the plant itself dries out or rots? Consultation with photos from professional flower growers.
Why does aloe thin leaves, and the plant itself stretches? In this case, the plant lacks sunlight. From a lack of lighting, aloe begins to grow rapidly upward, as if making its way to the rays of the sun, while spending a colossal amount of energy on growth. At the same time, the plant does not have enough nutrients to grow full-fledged green mass, and therefore the aloe leaves become thin. You can solve the problem by moving the flower closer to the window or placing it under artificial lighting (in winter time). If there is no artificial lighting, then it is recommended to reduce the temperature of the aloe and reduce the number of waterings. Thus, all physiological processes in the plant slow down and it will not stretch. With the onset of spring, aloe provides required level illumination. These should be windows on the east or west side of the house. If the windows of the house face south, then the plant must be shaded. It is also recommended to take the plant outside in spring and summer, but always with shading.
In aloe, the lower leaves became stained at the base and fell off. Reason: regular waterlogging of the soil, as a result of which the aloe root rotted, and the rot began to rise up the stem of the plant. What to do? The plant must be removed from the pot, all rotten parts removed to a clean cloth. A neat cut is made on the stem until the tissue at the cut site is completely clean. Next, the cut site is sprinkled with crushed activated carbon, the cut is allowed to dry for 1-2 hours, then the base of the plant is powdered with root, and the aloe itself is planted in a small pot (volume 100-200 ml). The soil should have the following composition: 1:1 peat and sand (sand can be replaced with perlite). Watering is very sparse, water through a tray, wet only the lower part of the pot where the aloe is planted. Only the bottom layer of soil in the pot should be wetted, followed by complete drying of the soil and again scanty watering. Do this until roots are formed.
Why do aloe leaves turn red?? Red or brown spots on aloe leaves are a protective reaction of plant tissues to bright sunlight, that is, it is a sunburn. Red spots on aloe leaves may appear in the spring, when after short winter days the level of illumination increases. Over the winter, the plant has become unaccustomed to the sun and throws out the red pigment on the leaves for protection. Often red spots on aloe leaves appear if the plant is moved from partial shade to a windowsill under unshaded sun. The plant must be accustomed to bright light gradually. From overabundance sun rays Aloe leaves will not only turn red, but also wither or turn yellow at the tips.
Why do the lower leaves of aloe turn yellow? Massive yellowing of the lower leaves of aloe indicates errors in care. Thus, a warm winter in conditions of abundant watering and lack of light leads to depletion of the flower. As a result, the lower leaves of aloe turn yellow, when the crown becomes very elongated, and the leaves become thin and not so fleshy. What to do? If in winter it is not possible for the plant to receive artificial lighting for 12 hours, then reduce the temperature of its contents, down to +10 degrees (the plant must be accustomed to low temperatures gradually). At the same time, watering is reduced and aloe overwinters in almost dry soil.
Why does aloe turn yellow in summer? In summer, even in conditions of sufficient light, the lower leaves of aloe often turn yellow. This indicates violations of the root system, that is, the roots can rot from excessive waterlogging. Either the plant is watered too often, or it is growing in a very large pot. If the aloe has stretched out and its lower leaves have turned yellow, you can re-root the top. Thus, the plant is rejuvenated. The top is cut off, the cut is sprinkled with crushed coal, dried in the shade for 1-2 days, then the cut is sprinkled with root and planted in a small pot. A 1:1 mixture of peat and sand is suitable here. Watering is very poor through the pallet. Only the bottom layer of soil should be wetted. The next watering only after the complete drying of the earth from the previous watering.
Why do aloe leaves turn yellow? Aloe leaves turn yellow if the plant is disturbed cold winter, but do not reduce watering. Or they sharply reduced the temperature of the plant. In the first case, the roots of the flower begin to rot, in the second, the roots become overcooled and become stressed. In both cases, it is necessary to reduce watering. The next watering should be carried out only after the soil has completely dried. You need to gradually accustom the plant to the cold.
Aloe leaves are soft if the plant is in direct sunlight. In this case, much more moisture evaporates from the surface of the leaf plate than the root system is able to absorb. However, excessive watering will not help here, but will only worsen the situation. After all, an excess of moisture can cause the aloe root to rot. The solution to the problem is simple - move the flower under bright but diffused light. This could be a place near a window with a light curtain hanging on it.
Aloe leaves are soft if the root system is rotting. There can be several reasons for the rotting of the root system. This is regular waterlogging of the soil, or low temperature of the plant in combination with normal watering, or a large volume of pot for small flower. In any case, aloe is taken out of the old soil. reduce the volume of the pot, plant it in a mixture of peat and sand, and carry out scanty watering through a pan.
Aloe leaves curl for two reasons.. The first reason is poor watering, heat maintenance and dry air in the apartment. In the summer, when it is hot outside and in the apartment, you need to water the plant abundantly, but only after the soil has completely dried, spray it regularly, but after the sun has set. Otherwise, burns in the form of red spots will appear on the aloe leaves. The second reason is the hot winter. Aloe in winter is often placed on a window near heating appliances. Near the batteries, the air is hot and dry, from which the aloe leaves curl. In such cases, aloe plants are provided with artificial lighting away from heating devices, or they arrange a cold wintering.
Aloe leaves can curl if the root system rots.. It is necessary to remove the plant from the pot and, without disturbing the integrity of the earthen ball, inspect the roots. They should be elastic and light. If the aloe roots are brown and flabby, they are rotting and must be removed. What to do next with aloe is written above.
Aloe diseases, photo
In addition to improper care, aloe can be affected by diseases such as root or dry rot, and pests such as thrips, spider mites, and scale insects. So, how and with what to treat aloe diseases? Photos and detailed instructions from specialists.
Aloe has stopped growing even during the growing season, its leaves turn yellow, in some cases the aloe leaves fall off the stem, and the plant itself falls on its side. Aloe disease: root rot. Causes of the disease: excess moisture. The root system suffers (rots) from excessive watering. How to treat aloe? The plant must be removed from the soil and the roots carefully examined. Rotten and flabby roots must be trimmed. The soil from the pot is thrown away, the container is disinfected. A mixture of peat and sand is poured into the pot. Aloe is planted there for rooting. Watering is carried out very sparingly and through a tray. When watering, only the bottom layer of soil should be wetted. It must be completely dry before the next watering. The lower the temperature of the plant and the less amount of sunlight (artificial lighting), the less watering.
In particularly serious cases, root rot affects the aloe stem. The leaves and stem of aloe are covered with large, soft-touch spots. Brown. The aloe root is completely rotted. Here you need to completely cut off the entire lower part of the flower down to healthy tissue. Powder the cut point with crushed, activated charcoal. Let the cut dry for 1-2 days, then it is sprinkled with root and planted in a mixture of peat and sand (1: 1). Plant care is described in the previous paragraph.
White spots like streaks appeared on the aloe leaves. They increase in size over time, and the disease spreads to other leaves of the flower and other plants. Affected aloe leaves turn yellow and dry out. Small black dots can be found on aloe leaves. Aloe disease: thrips. Black, small dots are excrement. How to treat? Isolate the affected plant. It is necessary to treat aloe with actara, according to the instructions. Treatment is carried out 4 times with breaks of 7-10 days. The higher the temperature in the house, the more often the treatment. For prevention, you need to spray the entire collection of flowers with actara.
Why does aloe dry out? From excess moisture when the root system is completely rotten. Aloe leaves dry out if the plant is planted in too heavy soil (clay-based). There is no air reaching the roots and there is a constant excess of moisture. But sometimes aloe leaves dry very quickly, without changing their previous color, that is, green aloe leaves dry. Cause: root rot. How to treat the disease? Dry rot cannot be treated, and the plant affected by it must be immediately thrown away and the pot disinfected. To prevent the appearance of dry rot, it is recommended to spray the entire collection with systemic fungicides once every six months.
Root rot is often found with improper care. This is a dangerous disease, often leading to the death of the agave. Since the plant is in a pot, it is not always possible to understand that the root system is suffering. Therefore, regular examination of aloe is necessary in order to identify alarming symptoms by external signs.
Often gardeners delay removing the plant from the pot until the very last moment, for fear of harming it. They try to change the situation with feeding or other measures, but this only makes the situation worse. There are no external signs of improvement, and the "home doctor" continues to deteriorate.
Signs of decay of the root system of the plant
Causes of the disease
Recall that aloe belongs to succulents. In its natural environment, agave grows in arid, hot climates on sandy, well-ventilated, light soils. Violation of agricultural practices when growing succulents leads to big problems.
Frequent watering
When the soil clod is constantly moistened, the soil spreads. If the soil is heavy and clayey, a dense crust will form on the surface after drying. Since the plant breathes not only its above-ground part, but also its underground part, carbon dioxide is constantly released into the soil. Acidification of the soil due to waterlogging is a common consequence of this. Many nutrients are converted into forms that are not absorbed by the plant.
Severe dampness and increased acidity of the soil lead to the development of root disease.
cramped pot
The roots of an adult plant in a tight pot are woven into a tight ring. With excessive waterlogging, the dampness inside the coma is constant, and there is almost no oxygen. At the same time, the ground may look dry from above. This difference causes the plant to experience additional stress and begin to rot inside.
Hypothermia
If you add hypothermia to excess moisture, the situation gets worse. According to statistics, the roots of succulents rot more often in autumn and winter, when there is strong wind from the windows and the soil in the pots cools. But even in the warm season, watering cold water harms the plant.
Infection with pathogens
Sometimes, even with moderate watering, a disease may develop due to a fungal infection. This happens if aloe is planted in a container in which a diseased plant lived before. Some bacteria can live on the walls of an old pot for years, and as soon as a favorable situation arises for them, they can easily take over the new space.
Fertilizing with organic fertilizers
Often gardeners, trying to revive a diseased plant with fertilizing, aggravate the situation by causing a surge in the development of bacteria that provoke rot. Manure or bird droppings are especially harmful to aloe.
How to save an agave if its root system is damaged?
What to do if the aloe roots are already partially rotten? An urgent plant transplant is required.
The transplantation process consists of several steps:
Caring for a “home doctor” after a transplant
When the agave has taken root, switch to the mode of moderately moistening the soil with water at room temperature.
It is recommended to water the agave twice a month in the warm season. In autumn and winter, water aloe once a month, or even leave the plant without water until spring. Make sure that the plant is not exposed to cold or drafts.
Observing Golden Rule For aloe, keeping it dry is better than keeping it waterlogged, and you can enjoy the healthy appearance of your “home doctor” for a long time.
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Common medicinal folk remedy- aloe. Few people do not have a pot of this indoor plant at home. Meanwhile, aloe is not only a decorative houseplant, but a genus of succulents from the Asphodelaceae family. It sounds complicated, but there are at least five hundred species.
People mainly grow either agave or aloe vera as a houseplant. Their growth does not exceed 30 cm in height, while their wild relatives can grow into huge bushes. Wild aloe, moreover, pleases with flowering, which a domesticated flower cannot please.
The origin of the genus name is also interesting; in most languages it means “bitter”. The medicinal and cosmetic properties of aloe have long been known; it is widely used not only in folk medicine, but are also grown in industrial quantities.
Efficiency as a medicine does not save the plant from its own diseases. Aloe diseases are not a common occurrence, but if it gets sick, you need to take immediate action. An agave with an advanced disease can die very quickly.
Why did aloe wither? Diseases that affect it useful plant, not much. They often arise due to improper care of aloe at home. Aloe is enough unpretentious plant, therefore, many owners neglect to comply with all the rules, realizing only when it already begins to die. How to save an already diseased plant? First you need to correctly identify the disease.
A diseased plant has enough external signs to notice them immediately. The salvation of the plant depends on the correct recognition of the disease.
There are three common causes of the disease:
- pests (spider mites, scale insects, mealybugs);
- dry rot;
- root rot.
Due to the fact that aloe rarely gets sick and the pathogens have been identified, methods to combat them have already been developed. The most important thing remains to quickly notice and recognize the trouble that has arisen, otherwise the agave dies.
Pests on aloe
A diseased plant is immediately visible - aloe leaves become stunted, lose color, and the plant simply looks weak. In addition, all types of pests, except spider mite, are quite obvious.
Spider mite
Considered one of the dangerous pests one of those that can affect homemade aloe. The size of adult individuals is no more than 1 mm, it is very difficult and almost impossible to notice. You can recognize the appearance of a mite by certain signs - a barely noticeable web appears on the aloe, and the color of the leaves changes. Discover small insect may with wrong side leaves, if the disease is advanced, there will be enough ticks to see them.
The main sign of the disease, based on the name of the pest, is the web. But the color of the leaves is much more dangerous. At the very beginning of the disease, they acquire a yellow color. In other words, the leaves turn pale and dry out. All these signs can be simply attributed to insufficient watering and minerals in the soil for aloe. The late stage of the spider mite manifests itself very clearly - the leaves and stems of aloe turn scarlet.
Pest control must begin when the first signs appear. Especially if the aloe is surrounded by others indoor plants, because it spreads instantly. Even though it is an insect, simple remedies they won't help.
- For treatment, you need to use specialized drugs - acaricides.
- It doesn't hurt to prevent the disease. You should often wipe the plant with a solution of water and alcohol or spray it with garlic tincture. The lower leaves need special attention, since this is where insects cluster.
- Do not allow the plant to dry out. Ideal conditions for the appearance of ticks are created by dry soil and dehumidified air.
Shield or false shield
The pest is very easy to see, despite its small size. The insects are brown in color and look like plaques on the stems and leaves of the plant. Scale insects have a depressing effect on the plant, actually affecting its ability to photosynthesize. The leaves will begin to dry out and red-brown spots will appear on them.
The false scale insect is doubly dangerous. Forming a vacuum, the pest sucks it out useful material and part of the plant pulp, and injects it into the formed hole poisonous substance. The pest's poison interferes with the plant's active photosynthesis and it quickly disappears.
The plant affected by this pest must be immediately removed from the room until complete recovery, and the place where it stood must be wiped. It would not be superfluous to transplant the aloe into another pot and disinfect the old one. There are enough specialized means to combat the pest, just follow the instructions and the plant will be saved.
There are a lot of folk remedies for pest control.
- In this case, garlic tincture will also help, and it would be a good idea to wipe the leaves with alcohol wipes.
- Will do soap solution with the addition of machine oil - you need to mix oil and soap in equal parts, treat the aloe and wrap in film for several hours. The procedure is very effective; if necessary, it can be repeated only after a week.
Mealybug
The simplest pest, which will only cause harm if neglected, is the mealybug. It is quite simple to identify it - aloe is covered with a coating similar to wax. The plant can quickly rot if the emerging disease is not noticed in time.
It is easy to destroy this pest.
- The insect does not like moisture, just rinse each leaf well with an alcohol or vinegar solution. After the procedure, hide the pot in a place where there is always shade. Remember, do not put the pot in the dark - the plant will die from lack of light.
- As a preventive measure mealybug Do not allow the soil or surrounding air to become dry.
- Wipe aloe leaves often with a damp cloth. Such care, which does not require special costs, can help prevent pests.
Dangerous diseases of aloe
The most dangerous disease of aloe is dry rot. The development of the disease is very fast, it is very difficult to prevent or save the plant, even partially. It is impossible to recognize the disease - external changes no, the root simply dries out and, as a result, dies.
Aloe affected by dry rot
Only constant preventive measures. Proper care and regular spraying will help preserve the agave. It is necessary to prevent aloe from freezing and maintain even lighting. The soil in the pot must contain minerals, the plant must have access to the sun. The plant is able to independently resist pests and diseases if properly cared for.
The next nuisance worth noting is root rot. It occurs when the soil is over-watered and the roots simply begin to rot. Aloe is not recommended to be watered more than twice a month, and sometimes you even need to wait for the soil to dry completely.
It is possible to save a plant in case of damage to root rot only with early detection of the disease. The rot manifests itself clearly: growth is stunted with regular watering, the stem begins to rot from the bottom, it is not uncommon for aloe to dry the tips of the leaves.
The disease can be cured only if the root system is partially affected. Aloe must be dug up, shaken off the ground and the rotten root removed. The entire root system must be sprinkled with coal powder or ash, or these additives must be mixed into the soil with sand. This measure will not allow healthy roots to rot. For transplanting, it is recommended to choose a new pot. Watering can be done no earlier than a month after the actions taken.
If the roots have rotted completely and the disease has begun to devour the stem, it is no longer possible to save the plant. Perhaps if you cut the stem and replant it in a clean pot with new soil, the plant will survive. To prepare soil for aloe, use rotted soil mixed with river sand 2:1 or a ready-made soil mixture for cacti. Good drainage is required.
The fungus persists on the walls of the container for many years, so even if the plant was saved, the pot should be thrown away.
How to save a dead plant
There are no signs of pests or rot, but the aloe is still weak - why? A sign that aloe does not have enough light will be a faded color of the leaves. They become weak, often fall off for no apparent reason. To solve the problem is simple - move the pot to a more lit place.
Photo of frozen aloe
The plant may freeze, a sign of which will also be weakly holding onto the stem or falling leaves. It is likely that cool air is coming from the window or that too much water is being used for watering. cold water. Try to change the temperature of the water for irrigation and check the windows.
Careful and attentive care of the plant can prevent most of the diseases described. Don't worry about what to do - there are plenty of tips for saving aloe. Be careful in the future and you won't have to put them into practice.
