What's eating my elephant ear? And how do I stop it?
2ft to light, direct
12” pot with drainage
Last watered 3 years ago
2
This may surprise you, but it looks consistent with a fungal infection. I’m curious to see the underside of the leaf. I actually have similar thing going on with some of my plants. I would go ahead and treat it with neem oil, which is the same treatment for most pests and some fungus. To treat a fungal infection: sterilize sharp scissors with rubbing alcohol and cut off any infected leaves. Sterilizing the scissors safeguards against spreading the disease to other houseplants. Next, prepare a neem oil solution to be sprayed on the leaves and fed into the soil. Use only enough pf the solution to saturate the soil until it runs out the drainage hole. Use a saucer to collect any excess solution that drained and after ten minutes remove the plant from the saucer.
Neem oil is an old-fashioned, yet highy effective, naturally occurring anti-fungal extract from a plant. Mix one tablespoon of cold-pressed neem oil, one teaspoon of castle soap, and one quart of warm water together. Since neem oil is an oil, it does not mix well with water; using warm water and castle soap aid in allowing the oil to mix into the solution. Castille soap is made using a very traditional old-fashioned method; it is potent, yet without unnecessary byproducts. Castille soap also has anti-fungal properties. Note: the active ingredient of neem oil degrades in water until it is ineffective after 8 hours in water. Repeat application to soil every three weeks (active ingredient is ineffective in soil after three weeks). Spray the leaves no less than once a week. Spraying neem oil on the leaves will kill any fungal spores on the outside of the plant. Feeding neem oil to the plant through the soil allows the plant to have resistance to the fungus that may be infiltrating the inside of the plant.
Treating fungus can require several applications. I have some Ti Plants I bought from Home Depot that had leaf spot on them (unbeknownst to me) and it has taken six months of repeating the treatment before the fungus was eliminated. Be sure to quarantine the plant, as the pathogen is contagious. And increase ventilation—a small fan can ideal for this. Keep plants in well ventilated areas and do not let too many plants get too close together because that can create ideal conditions for a fungal outbreak. Wipe away an unnecessary moisture.
A paper watering technique safeguards against leaf spot and many potential pests and diseases. Preventing leaf spot through sound cultural practices (ensuring proper light, water, etc) is much easier than treating it. When watering, I find that using a watering can with a long narrow spout allows one to have more control and precision. Position the spout underneath leaves and move in a slow methodical fashion so the water can saturate the soil as it moves to the bottom the pot. Be sure to keep the leaves dry. Once water starts coming out of the drainage hole , stop watering.
Lastly, many fungal pathogens live in the soil and infect a plant when the spores come in contact with the plants leaves or roots. Consider using an inorganic top dressing, such as polished pebbles. One thing I have been working on lately is adjusting the soil lines of my potted plants so that the crown of the plant sits at soil level but there is still enough space for 2-3 layers of small pebbles to create a barrier between the wet soil and the plant. I have noticed a big difference. I had my own fungal pandemic this past winter with my houseplants and learned the hard way to deal with these issues. One last note: I have read conflicting information on the efficacy of neem oil on some fungal pathogens, including lead spot. Usually, what I have considered “leaf spot” looks a little different than what is on my plants now. However I am confident it is a fungus given how I have watched it spread along the leaves, consistent with a fungal disease not a pest. Moreover, a couple of my plants are having new growth come in with same kind of markings on the leaves. This is inconsistent with a pest, but consistent with a fungal infection. I personally am going to use a baking soda solution to treat this infection given the conflicting information I have read about the efficacy of neem oil on some kinds of fungus. Despite my neem oil applications, this one is sprouting up still. I do not know whether what you have is similar to mine, but if it is a fungus, be mindful of whether neem oil is being effective. I believe it is prudent to nonetheless include the neem oil as treatment because it can be absorbed through the roots and give a different type of protection than topically applied fungicides
Neem oil is an old-fashioned, yet highy effective, naturally occurring anti-fungal extract from a plant. Mix one tablespoon of cold-pressed neem oil, one teaspoon of castle soap, and one quart of warm water together. Since neem oil is an oil, it does not mix well with water; using warm water and castle soap aid in allowing the oil to mix into the solution. Castille soap is made using a very traditional old-fashioned method; it is potent, yet without unnecessary byproducts. Castille soap also has anti-fungal properties. Note: the active ingredient of neem oil degrades in water until it is ineffective after 8 hours in water. Repeat application to soil every three weeks (active ingredient is ineffective in soil after three weeks). Spray the leaves no less than once a week. Spraying neem oil on the leaves will kill any fungal spores on the outside of the plant. Feeding neem oil to the plant through the soil allows the plant to have resistance to the fungus that may be infiltrating the inside of the plant.
Treating fungus can require several applications. I have some Ti Plants I bought from Home Depot that had leaf spot on them (unbeknownst to me) and it has taken six months of repeating the treatment before the fungus was eliminated. Be sure to quarantine the plant, as the pathogen is contagious. And increase ventilation—a small fan can ideal for this. Keep plants in well ventilated areas and do not let too many plants get too close together because that can create ideal conditions for a fungal outbreak. Wipe away an unnecessary moisture.
A paper watering technique safeguards against leaf spot and many potential pests and diseases. Preventing leaf spot through sound cultural practices (ensuring proper light, water, etc) is much easier than treating it. When watering, I find that using a watering can with a long narrow spout allows one to have more control and precision. Position the spout underneath leaves and move in a slow methodical fashion so the water can saturate the soil as it moves to the bottom the pot. Be sure to keep the leaves dry. Once water starts coming out of the drainage hole , stop watering.
Lastly, many fungal pathogens live in the soil and infect a plant when the spores come in contact with the plants leaves or roots. Consider using an inorganic top dressing, such as polished pebbles. One thing I have been working on lately is adjusting the soil lines of my potted plants so that the crown of the plant sits at soil level but there is still enough space for 2-3 layers of small pebbles to create a barrier between the wet soil and the plant. I have noticed a big difference. I had my own fungal pandemic this past winter with my houseplants and learned the hard way to deal with these issues. One last note: I have read conflicting information on the efficacy of neem oil on some fungal pathogens, including lead spot. Usually, what I have considered “leaf spot” looks a little different than what is on my plants now. However I am confident it is a fungus given how I have watched it spread along the leaves, consistent with a fungal disease not a pest. Moreover, a couple of my plants are having new growth come in with same kind of markings on the leaves. This is inconsistent with a pest, but consistent with a fungal infection. I personally am going to use a baking soda solution to treat this infection given the conflicting information I have read about the efficacy of neem oil on some kinds of fungus. Despite my neem oil applications, this one is sprouting up still. I do not know whether what you have is similar to mine, but if it is a fungus, be mindful of whether neem oil is being effective. I believe it is prudent to nonetheless include the neem oil as treatment because it can be absorbed through the roots and give a different type of protection than topically applied fungicides
Thrips?