Ficus rubber on the leaves white bloom. The main diseases of rubber ficus, what to do if the ficus is sick. Causes of falling leaves of ficus

The reasons why a ficus scale appears on a ficus are diverse, so not a single grower is immune from its appearance. Females and larvae of the pest draw nutritious juices out of it, which leads to leaf fall and slow death. Therefore, as soon as the scale insect has been identified, you should immediately start using chemical insecticides or folk remedies.

Description of the pest

Scale insects (Diaspididae) are a family of insects belonging to the order Hemiptera. Its representatives are known as pests of wild and cultivated plants, including indoor flowers. Juicy ficus leaves attract them as a source of juice, in which the substances necessary for nutrition, primarily sugar, are dissolved.

There are more than 2,400 species in the family of scale insects that live around the world.

The males of the pest are completely harmless and very different from the females: they are small flying insects. Females and larvae spend their lives on the leaves and shoots of plants, feeding on their juice. Adult female scale insects are rounded creatures from 0.5 mm to 5 mm, covered with a wax shell. This provides protection for the pest, which complicates the fight against it. The fact of the rapid reproduction of scale insects is also unfavorable for the owner of the ficus.

Signs of a scab infection

You need to start taking measures to save the ficus if:

1. A sticky coating appeared on the leaves, resembling syrup. This substance is called honeydew or honeydew. The scale insect, being gluttonous, often draws more juice from plants than it can absorb, and allocates its excess to the outside. Such an environment is fertile for the appearance of soot fungus, which also causes damage.
2. Upon closer examination of the ficus (preferably under magnification), you can see the larvae and females of the scale insects, which have a dirty gray or brown color.
3. Damaged areas of the leaves begin to overgrow new fabric, so bumps appear on its surface. Ultimately, the sheet plate acquires a deformed appearance.
4. Ficus leaves turn red and gradually die.
5. When the infection is started, individual shoots begin to die off, and the growth of the entire plant stops.

How did she get on ficus?

The shield on Benjamin's ficus appears in different ways. Among them:

• the acquisition of an already infected plant, because on initial stage it is not easy to detect a pest without a thorough inspection, and an epidemic of scale insects is not uncommon in flower shops;
• along with a bouquet of flowers brought into the house - bought or collected independently;
• rarely the scale insect enters the room through opened window if the wind brings it;
• ficus, transferred to the balcony in the warm season, can become infected with pests if they are on neighboring balconies;
• if the house already has plants on which the scale insect lives.

Therefore, it is very difficult to protect plants from infection.

Ways to fight

Exist different methods how to deal with the scale insect on Benjamin's ficus. achieve best result You can combine them with each other. One procedure will not be enough, so the key to success is regularity.

It is important to strictly follow the instructions for the drugs and recommendations so as not to cause harm. For example, an increase in the dosage of pesticides will not only not bring best effect, but it can also cause poisoning of plants and humans.

Mechanical

Adults and larvae should be removed by hand. To do this, use a sponge dipped in a solution of laundry soap, tweezers or the blunt side of a knife to scrape off the scale from the stiff ficus branches. Affected leaves and shoots - cut and destroy.

Chemical

The use of chemical insecticides is the fastest and efficient way control of any plant pests, including scale insects. But pesticides are often powerless against females, reliably protected by a wax shell. The larvae die in one treatment, but soon new ones will appear from the eggs. This explains the need for preliminary collection of scale insects and the repetition of procedures.

1. "Aktara" is a systemic insecticide that has won the trust of flower growers. This is powerful remedy, which destroys almost all pests of indoor plants. It is used for 2-4 sprays and soil spills.
2. "Aktellik", which is called the best drug in the fight against shields. It is allowed to use it no more than 3 times. All work due to the toxicity of "Aktellik" is carried out only in the open air.
3. "Vermitek" with neurotoxin effects. In order not to harm the plant, you can treat the ficus 1-2 times, and then apply another insecticide.
4. "Confidor" contact-intestinal impact.
5. "Fitoverm" with the active ingredient "aversectin C", which is not addictive in pests. It is a powder that dissolves well in water. The ficus is treated with the resulting liquid 4–6 times in 7–10 days.

Work with chemical insecticides carried out in a well-ventilated area. A person should use protective equipment, avoiding contact of substances with the skin and mucous membranes.

Treatments are carried out 3-6 times until the complete destruction of scale insects. Between procedures, 7-10 days should pass: during this time, new individuals will appear.

Biological

Folk remedies

A good result is shown by the use of a composition of soap and machine oil diluted in water. Ficus is carefully treated with this solution, covering the soil with polyethylene, and left for 12 hours. It will take 3 procedures carried out after 7-10 days. To prepare, you will need a glass of water, 10 g of grated laundry soap and 30 g of oil.

Also effective infusions:

• garlic (5 cloves per glass);
• onions (1 piece per glass);
• bitter pepper (50 g per 0.5 l);

They are left under a tightly closed lid in a dark place for 12-24 hours so that the water acquires a rich smell that repels insects. Spraying procedures are carried out 4-6 times with a weekly interval.

Prevention

• maintaining the plant in good condition: thinning the crown, removing dry or yellowed leaves and shoots;
• water and feed the ficus in time, because weakened plants become easy prey for pests;
• conduct regular inspections of the plant;
• use the grid on open windows;
• carefully examine new plants and bouquets of flowers brought into the house.

The fight against scale insects on ficus and other plants is not an easy task. It is important to prevent an increase in the number of pests by starting the processing of indoor flowers on time. Practice shows that with the regular use of funds in accordance with all the rules, it is possible to destroy the scale insect and save the ficus, restoring its healthy appearance.

The ficus does not have any special care requests, it feels great at home. Basic care requirements are no different from other houseplants. Despite the fact that the flower is not at all picky, it gets sick just like all other plants. Most often, it becomes infected from other indoor plants, and in order to avoid this, it is necessary to carry out prevention. Many are interested in why the ficus has spots on the leaves.

Why do spots appear on ficus leaves

Most often, spots on ficus leaves indicate that the plant is infected with some kind of infection. But there may be other reasons, it is worth considering the location and other conditions of the ficus.

• poor lighting and low temperature indoor air;
• dry air.
• improper watering of the flower;
• lack of vitamins and minerals;
• bad soil.

Most often, dark and yellow spots on the leaves appear due to improper watering. Therefore, do not overwater the plant or vice versa. Put the flower where the sun shines best, because many flowers love sunlight. It may be that the ficus has a lot of light, then move it to the shade. You just have to watch the plant.

What diseases and pests affect ficus leaves

Why do ficus leaves appear brown spots? To find out, you need to understand what diseases exist and how they manifest themselves.

yellow ficus leaves

The leaves turn yellow most often due to the fact that the air in the room is very dry. Often this happens in winter, because during this period the house is heated and because of this the air dries up. And if the ficus is next to the heater, then this is an even greater risk. After all, because of this, the plant can not only get sick, but die. In order to solve this problem, you need to make a little effort, just move the flower to another place. And it is necessary to constantly moisten the leaves in order to pump it out after this injury.

The leaves turn yellow due to a lot of stress, such a symptom can occur when the ficus is constantly moved from one place to another. Try to find appropriate place for him immediately and the ficus will not have such a problem. If the leaves turn yellow, then try to immediately find the cause in order to eliminate it during it.

Ficus leaves are falling

If the leaves turn yellow, fall off and become smaller, then this indicates that the flower is not enough. useful substances. In this case, there is only one solution, you need to transplant the flower. Choose for him new pot and earth. Make sure that the composition of the soil includes peat, leafy soil and sand. After you transplant it, you need to water the flower well.

Also, if yellow spots appear on the leaves, leaves fall, then this may indicate that there is a lot of moisture in the soil. To avoid this, you need to water the ficus only when the earth is completely dry. If you give the flower a lot of moisture, then it may die. And if the leaves begin to actively crumble, then you need to transplant the ficus, before cutting off the roots that have already rotted.

Leaves fall down the trunk

The stem is the basis of any plant; without it, the existence of a flower, bush or tree is simply impossible. Most often, if the lower leaves fall off, then this indicates that the ficus is already old. Also, if the stem is going bald, this may indicate that the transplant was performed incorrectly. Try to do it again and you need to replace the soil.

Ficus is a non-harmful plant and rarely gets sick if all conditions for care are met. Therefore, if you decide to replenish your collection with such a flower, then first study the information on its care. A person who loves plants will be able to notice the appearance of any disease or pest in time.

Preventive measures

Prevention of stains is the proper care of the plant. Ficus is a plant that feels great in any room. They clean the air well from dust and dirt. In order for the plant not to hurt and not be affected by various pests, you need to properly care for it. Caring for ficus does not take much time, but you should still follow some rules.

As soon as thin branches appear, they should be removed. Ficus must be carefully examined, often branches appear on such plants that do not have foliage at all. They should also be cut. In order for the flower to wake up, you need to pinch the young leaves. Circumcision and pinching should be done twice a year. This will form a beautiful and healthy flower.

Summing up

Ficus is very beautiful flower, which many grow at home. Therefore, if you are not indifferent to it and you do not want it to die, watch the flower carefully. The slightest changes in temperature or moisture can provoke the appearance of some kind of disease or pest. All you need to do is to properly care for the plant, and in return it will delight fresh air and its beauty.

Ficus is considered unpretentious plant, however, if you do not follow the basic rules and requirements for the conditions of detention and care, and he can become seriously ill and even die. As with other indoor plants, ficus problems can arise from improper care, fungi and bacteria, as well as insect pests.

care issues

How to properly care for ficus so that it is not overcome by diseases? Let's start with buying a plant in a flower shop - here the flower is inspected for signs of possible diseases and pests. Ficus leaves should be dense, dark green, if there are yellow, white or brown spots and dots on the leaves, then the plant is sick and you should not buy it so as not to infect other house plants.

The ficus brought home is kept separately from other plants for a week. If diseases and pests do not manifest themselves during this time, it can be placed next to other flowers. You should not put flower pots too close to each other - in crowded places, diseases and pests multiply and are transmitted faster.

At least once a week ficus, and others houseplants, should be inspected in order to notice diseases and pests in time, and take appropriate measures. Once a month, ficus leaves are wiped with soapy water, it is better to take laundry soap, which does not contain chemical additives capable of harming the plant.

Non-infectious ficus diseases occur in adverse conditions - with wrong lighting, non-compliance temperature regime, excessively humid or too dry air, poor-quality watering, deficiency, or vice versa, an excess of minerals in the soil.

Ficus leaves turn yellow if the air in the room is too dry. This phenomenon is observed both in hot summer and during heating season. The leaves wither and dry due to the constant presence next to heaters that radiate heat. If the leaves fall off too much, the plant cannot be cured and it dies.

Therefore, in the summer, the ficus is not kept on the windowsill under the direct rays of the sun, and in the winter they are removed further away from batteries and other heating appliances. Spots on the leaves may also appear due to sunburn.

Air for ficus can be humidified using a special humidifier or any container of water placed next to it.

If a soil is not enough nutrients, new ficus leaves become smaller, and the old ones turn yellow and fall off. In order to prevent the development of the disease and the death of the flower, it is transplanted into fresh, mineral-rich soil, or fed with fertilizers. The substrate for transplantation is prepared from sand, leafy soil and peat. If the flower is too large and difficult to transplant, you can replace upper part soil and how to water.

Excess fertilizer can also cause brown spots on the leaves, so fertilizers are used in strict accordance with the instructions on the package.

If yellow spots appear on the leaves, or the leaves turn yellow from the edges, most likely there is too much moisture in the soil. Watering should be stopped and the soil should dry out. Worst if over watering will cause root rot, in which case it is very difficult to cure the plant. If the rot has not completely affected the roots, the diseased fragments are removed, and the healthy ones are planted in another soil, having previously disinfected the pot.

Ficus problems can also appear due to insufficient watering, or watering of poor quality. tap water. The leaves will begin to dry, turn yellow, crumble. If the drought has had its detrimental effect on the leaves, then the roots are also in bad condition. Ficus in overdried soil is placed in a deep container with water for 2-3 hours, so that the earth is completely soaked. With this procedure, part of the soil may end up in a container, so the earth is poured into the pot after the procedure.

In tree ficuses, the leaves fall off due to age, this is not a disease, and no treatment is required. Its lower leaves fall off, but new ones grow at the top of the trunk, so the trunk never becomes bare. However, if new leaves grow very poorly, or do not grow at all, you need to think about transplanting the ficus into a new soil, or about top dressing.

fungal diseases

There are several viral and fungal diseases that damage ficus leaves and roots. Let's call them:

Gray rot - with this disease, mold appears on the leaves and stems, which flies into the air after shaking the leaf. Damaged leaves become covered with brown spots, then darken completely, and fall off. Gray rot fungus develops well in warm and humid air, so the room should be ventilated as often as possible.

To cure a ficus, damaged fragments must be removed at the very beginning of the disease, otherwise it will not be possible to save it. Healthy parts are sprayed with fungicides. Watering at this time is reduced.

Sooty fungus - A good environment for the development of this fungus is the sticky secretions of aphids, scale insects and other insect pests. The sooty fungus leaves behind a black coating on the leaves.

Powdery mildew - with this disease appears on the leaves white coating in the form of flour. On the early stages diseases white plaque is easily washed off, so the leaves can be wiped with soapy water. If the state of the plant is neglected, it is very difficult to cure it - the affected leaves are removed, and the healthy ones are sprayed several times with fungicides.

Cercosporosis - fungal disease, which develops from fungi Cercospora with high humidity air. With this disease, small brown or black dots appear on the wrong side of the leaf plate, which gradually grow. As a result, the leaves begin to turn yellow and fall off. If the disease is not stopped, the entire plant may die.

Treatment of the disease consists in removing damaged leaves and spraying with antifungal drugs.

Anthracnose - a disease in which the edges of the leaves appear rust spots that turn into sores. Leaves affected by anthracnose die off, as a result, the ficus may die entirely. The treatment is similar - treatment with fungicides.

Root rot is a disease caused by waterlogging of the soil. Damaged roots are not able to provide the ficus with good nutrition and moisture, as a result, it dies. In this case, it is impossible to save the plant, it is thrown away along with the pot.

To prevent rotting of the roots, it is necessary to water the ficus moderately, as the soil dries out, using clean water. As preventive measures ficus once a month can be watered with a slightly pink solution of potassium permanganate, and add a little to the soil mixture when planting and transplanting charcoal.

Harmful insects

Ficus pests also cause spots and dots on the leaves, but they can only destroy the plant if they multiply and spread too much. The danger of insect pests is enhanced by the fact that their sticky secretions are a breeding ground for fungi that lead the ficus to death.

Ficus pests are quite numerous - these are aphids, scale insects, spider mite, thrips, nematodes, mealybugs.

Shchitovka - the first sign of the appearance of this insect on the ficus are brown convex spots on the wrong side of the leaves, sometimes spots appear on the stem. The scale insect feeds on the sap of the plant, and leaves a sticky coating in which a soot fungus develops.

In order to cure ficus from scale insects, the leaves are washed on both sides with soapy water, and then treated with Aktellik. Processing is carried out for three weeks in a row, 1 time per week.

The mealybug also sucks the juice from the leaves, which causes them to deform and stop growing. The worm settles in the axils of the leaves, so when processing these places, special attention must be paid.

From mealybug get rid of by mechanical cleaning of the leaves, and treatment with soapy water and tobacco solution once a week. When running, the ficus is sprayed twice with confidor every 10 days.

The spider mite develops well in a dry and warm room. After a tick, gray or brown spots remain on the leaves. The insect reproduces very quickly, the leaves damaged by it wither and dry out.

For the treatment and prevention of the disease, the air humidity is increased, the leaves are sprayed, wiped with soapy water. With a strong spread of insects, the flower is sprayed with an insecticide, or an infusion of garlic, and covered with a plastic bag.

Thrips - small insects black, which occupy the leaves with reverse side. They feed on plant sap, leaving brown spots behind. Thrips actively reproduce when high temperature and high air humidity. White and yellow spots appear on the leaves, they dry and fall off.

If the ficus is affected by thrips, it is sprayed several times with a solution of pyrethrum or chemicals- Tanrek, Actillik, Aktara.

Aphids turn healthy leaves yellow and misshapen, causing them to fall off. But first, sticky secretions appear on the leaves, attracting other insects that spread fungal and infectious diseases. If you do not take action, the plant may die completely. To get rid of the pest, the ficus is washed with soapy water, treated with insecticides.

Nematodes infect the roots of plants, small beads of growths appear on them. Nematodes are dangerous with toxic secretions that enter the stem and leaves from the roots. Under the influence of nematodes, the ficus fades, and can completely die.

At the first signs of the disease, the ficus is taken out of the pot, the roots are examined, immersed for 2-3 hours in an insecticide solution, and then planted in a new soil mixture.

Diseases and pests in ficuses, brown spots appear on the leaves, or they turn black or curl, fungal diseases in a plant ... Most often they experience difficulties in caring for it with ficus benjamin, although the description below can also be attributed to f. rubbery, lyre-shaped or microcarp ...

Be careful when buying a plant, lift the leaves up. Look for signs of pests or disease. If you find any, leave the plant and don't buy it. Avoid buying a flower with defective or damaged leaves.

With proper care, ficuses usually do not get sick, however, pests or infection can be brought into the house with a new plant, cuttings, soil change, or when it is taken out into the open air. Sometimes it happens that the ficus turns black and crumbles accordingly.

The most common are ficus diseases caused by pests, such as spider mites, aphids, scale insects ... You can consider an ordinary spider mite on the underside of the leaves and on the tips of the shoots. The upper side is often covered with dots and yellow spots, between the leaves you can see the web. Frequent spraying with water and washing the leaves will help to cope with the pest.

The appearance of false scales and scales is accompanied by growth retardation, the formation of brown dots, sticky plaque on the leaves and trunk of the ficus. The leaves turn yellow and the ficus falls prematurely. The pest sticks to the plant and if it is not treated in time, the plant will die. Proper Care and constant inspection of the ficus will help to detect diseases or pests at an early stage, when the plant can be saved.

The appearance of brown or red spots on the leaves of the ficus indicates a fungal infection. Gradually, the spots grow and the leaves die off. The unfortunate location of the pot contributes to the appearance of this disease and improper care. Moisture is a particular danger. Sick ficus should not be sprayed, and all infected leaves must be removed.

One of the diseases characteristic of some plant species is gray rot. It is quite simple to detect this fungus - gray mold forms on the leaves and stems, the affected parts quickly darken and gradually die off. Removing the affected parts, reducing watering, ventilating the room and treating the plant with insecticides will help get rid of the misfortune.

Rotting of roots and stems is manifested in wilting, despite the soil moisture. The leaves turn gray, foci of decay can be found at the base of the stem. It is almost impossible to save the affected plant.

Powdery mildew is a white, easily washable coating that often appears with poor ventilation. The presence of sunburn or areas damaged by pests facilitates the penetration of fungal spores. Black soot fungi appear on the secretions of pests: aphids, scale insects, mealybugs, whiteflies. Aphids infect young shoots of ficuses with tender leaves.

Determine and eliminate the true source of the problem

Lack of lighting especially in winter period, low temperature and its sharp fluctuations, drafts, excessive watering and stagnant water leads to the gradual death of the plant. Upper layer substrate does not dry out long time, the tops of the shoots wilt and die, a different smell of rot from the soil, the leaves darken and fall off.

With insufficient watering, the leaves of the ficus dry out, twist and fly around, the branches become dry and brittle, the earth lags behind the pot. Try to avoid excessive doses of fertilizers, pesticides, violation of the dosage ... Root burn most often occurs when fertilizers are applied to dry soil, without prior wetting the substrate with water. Should alert the appearance on the leaves of deformations, damage, various stains, pests.

The causes of the disease are best identified at an early stage in order to take action in time, so the flower must be periodically inspected and dried leaves removed. Helps in severe cases complete replacement earth, pruning rotten roots with powdering the cuts with charcoal powder, transplanting into a smaller pot. In especially severe cases - rooting cuttings cut from the plant.

Pest and disease control measures.

Used to control pests and diseases folk remedies and specialized drugs. When processing ficuses, any insecticides are effective. The best remedy from the spread of fungal diseases - treatment of the crown and root system with a fungicide solution.

Gently remove leaves with stains from ficuses, and then treat the plant with a copper-soap solution: 20 g of soap (preferably liquid potassium) is dissolved in 1 liter warm water. Dissolve 2 g in a separate bowl blue vitriol, which is added to soap solution and after mixing, the plant is sprayed (it is important that the solution also gets on the underside of the leaves. Copper oxychloride and cuprosan are also used to combat fungal infection.

Ficus lovers often have the problem of spots on it. And, despite the abundant streams of information on the net, it is rarely possible to find disclosed material that would accurately identify the symptoms and diagnose a withering plant. Let's try together to understand the primary sources of ficus malaise.

It's all about proper care

Often main reason, according to which all plants begin to turn yellow, become covered with brown spots, dry up and fall off is the wrong attitude towards them. Ficus does not require much attention, as long as there is water and light, but even in elementary things one can be mistaken.

Do not place pots near heaters, this can cause the leaves to dry out. Cool windows and floors are detrimental to a heat-loving plant. If you overcool the ground, then the shoots will begin to turn brown and fall off.

Low air humidity, as well as sudden changes in temperature, also lead to the drying of the ficus. Experts advise spraying the plant, wiping it with a damp cloth and occasionally resorting to various polishes to give a glossy look.

When the flower receives an excess of minerals, the leaves may become covered with brown spots. Choose a fertilizer with great content nitrogen. The frequency of their use should not exceed more than 2 times per month.

How to save a sunken ficus?

Often from great love for blossoming tree people spill it. And this, as you know, leads to rotting of the roots. From here, the edges of the leaves begin to turn brown, spots appear, the ground is covered with white moss and mold.

The first aid in such a situation is a ficus transplant. In this case, the roots should be washed from the substrates and inspected. The deformed areas are cut to living places, the sections are processed activated carbon. The first weeks of the newly transplanted plant do not move, occasionally water.

What if it's not care?

If you notice a web between the branches, then the ficus is susceptible to tick attack. Getting rid of the pest is very simple: wipe the foliage of the tree more often and spray it with settled water.

Fungus is another reason why brown spots appear. In such cases root system and the crown is treated with a fungicide. Damaged leaves are removed, and the lesions are treated with a special copper-soap mixture.