Brown spots on leaves
This plant had been happy near my NE facing window for some time now. I’ve noticed the leaves have started showing brown spots and getting lighter in color, they also fall off very easily. The plant is a lot less lush than it was a year ago too ☹️ Can anyone help diagnose what’s going on? #help #PestControl #helpneeded
1ft to light, indirect
11” pot with drainage
Last watered 7 hours ago
5
Im no profeshh..but here’s my 2 cents. I’m assuming this is an umbrella / money tree / or some type of Schefflera plant? This is my process of elimination, I break it down into 5 categories. It’s either:
1. fungal/bacterial issue.
2. nutrient deficiencies.
3. environmental (temp/light/humidity changes)
4. Watering/soil (over/under/drainage/root rot,etc)
5. Pest
All of those can cause spots and similar looking issues, it sucks.
I don’t thinks it’s fungal. It would usually have a yellow halo around the spots and be spreading. due to bad circulation and very high humidity. Ruled out.
I don’t think it’s a nutrient issue, I’ll spare you the details. Ruled out
I don’t think it’s pests or bugs cus well, it’s always super obvious. Ruled out.
That leaves us with watering and environment, the usual suspects.
It gets tricky and only you can really find this out. Here’s what I’d do:
Over/under watering, adjust that. I always start will holding back water instead of over doing it. Take it back from the window a bit and see how it acts, warmer weather is here and longer/harsher sun. Consider the soil and drainage, is it the same soil and pot it’s always been in? Might be time to transplant it to a bigger pot and new soil. Those roots could be over growing in there and unable to thrive. I’d bet it’s a mix of light, watering, and size/soil (if it’s in the same pot as when you brought it home). Research under/over watering and the term “edema”
Good luck!!
-(if it is pests, use neem oil)
1. fungal/bacterial issue.
2. nutrient deficiencies.
3. environmental (temp/light/humidity changes)
4. Watering/soil (over/under/drainage/root rot,etc)
5. Pest
All of those can cause spots and similar looking issues, it sucks.
I don’t thinks it’s fungal. It would usually have a yellow halo around the spots and be spreading. due to bad circulation and very high humidity. Ruled out.
I don’t think it’s a nutrient issue, I’ll spare you the details. Ruled out
I don’t think it’s pests or bugs cus well, it’s always super obvious. Ruled out.
That leaves us with watering and environment, the usual suspects.
It gets tricky and only you can really find this out. Here’s what I’d do:
Over/under watering, adjust that. I always start will holding back water instead of over doing it. Take it back from the window a bit and see how it acts, warmer weather is here and longer/harsher sun. Consider the soil and drainage, is it the same soil and pot it’s always been in? Might be time to transplant it to a bigger pot and new soil. Those roots could be over growing in there and unable to thrive. I’d bet it’s a mix of light, watering, and size/soil (if it’s in the same pot as when you brought it home). Research under/over watering and the term “edema”
Good luck!!
-(if it is pests, use neem oil)
She's getting overwatered and need to dry out more between waterings. Always check soil before watering by sticking your finger as far into the pot as you can. If the soil feels cool or moist do not water yet.
They will drop leaves with overwatering and you will notice red spots in the new leaves from edema. The red spots grow out.
But on the older leaves will absorb too much water too. Eventually if the cells within the leaf get too full they burst like water balloons. This damages the leaves and causes those black spots.
An 11 inch pot is quite big. You might want to consider a smaller pot. That will help to reduce overwatering symptoms and help the soil to dry out faster.
They also like a lot of well aeration in their soil. Mine have around 60%.
The soil I use for mine is;
1/3 peat moss
1/3 perlite
1/3 small orchid bark
If you do decide to use a smaller pot check the roots while she's out of the pot for root rot. I will describe what to look for and how to treat it.
1. Remove from your pot, to check the roots. If there is anything brown black or mushy you have rot and will need to cut it all off. Keep only the healthy roots they will be whitish in color
Now root rot comes from a bacteria that forms in your soil and then attacks your plant. So treatment is absolutely necessary.
2. Cut off all affected roots soak what is left in:
1 part peroxide + 3 parts water and leave in the peroxide mix to soak for 5 minutes this will kill off the remaining bacteria. It will bubble pot and fizz this is good it’s killing the bacteria.
3. Next is soil, the best
choice is to throw it away. It’s safest. Or bake it for 1 hour in a 200
Degree oven, not the greatest because it REALLY stinks. But it’s effective. Or the most risky way is to thoroughly flush your soil out with your peroxide mix twice! You need to be very careful and do it thoroughly because if even a teeny bit of bacteria is left your rot will come back.
4. Now the pot, it also has that pesky bacteria you must scrub it out with soapy water very well and then also scrub it down with the peroxide mix.
Now you can plant her again. Be sure to add some perlite to your soil for aeration. This will help oxygen reach those roots and I avoid bacteria growth in the future.
They will drop leaves with overwatering and you will notice red spots in the new leaves from edema. The red spots grow out.
But on the older leaves will absorb too much water too. Eventually if the cells within the leaf get too full they burst like water balloons. This damages the leaves and causes those black spots.
An 11 inch pot is quite big. You might want to consider a smaller pot. That will help to reduce overwatering symptoms and help the soil to dry out faster.
They also like a lot of well aeration in their soil. Mine have around 60%.
The soil I use for mine is;
1/3 peat moss
1/3 perlite
1/3 small orchid bark
If you do decide to use a smaller pot check the roots while she's out of the pot for root rot. I will describe what to look for and how to treat it.
1. Remove from your pot, to check the roots. If there is anything brown black or mushy you have rot and will need to cut it all off. Keep only the healthy roots they will be whitish in color
Now root rot comes from a bacteria that forms in your soil and then attacks your plant. So treatment is absolutely necessary.
2. Cut off all affected roots soak what is left in:
1 part peroxide + 3 parts water and leave in the peroxide mix to soak for 5 minutes this will kill off the remaining bacteria. It will bubble pot and fizz this is good it’s killing the bacteria.
3. Next is soil, the best
choice is to throw it away. It’s safest. Or bake it for 1 hour in a 200
Degree oven, not the greatest because it REALLY stinks. But it’s effective. Or the most risky way is to thoroughly flush your soil out with your peroxide mix twice! You need to be very careful and do it thoroughly because if even a teeny bit of bacteria is left your rot will come back.
4. Now the pot, it also has that pesky bacteria you must scrub it out with soapy water very well and then also scrub it down with the peroxide mix.
Now you can plant her again. Be sure to add some perlite to your soil for aeration. This will help oxygen reach those roots and I avoid bacteria growth in the future.
@Glowflower @SuperbRaspfern @DustyPocket
Hi guys!
I'm learning from both of your answers. There's so much good information shared!
It would be interesting to have @Glowflower respond...
Hi guys!
I'm learning from both of your answers. There's so much good information shared!
It would be interesting to have @Glowflower respond...
@SuperbRaspfern thanks for the info!