Content
- Detect and combat diseases in the dragon tree
- Distinguish between illnesses and care mistakes
- Recognize the leaf spot disease
- The pathogens of Erwinia soft rot stink to the sky
- Tips
The dragon tree is not always sick when it looks dull
Detect and combat diseases in the dragon tree
The dragon tree is one of the most popular indoor plants in this country due to its appearance and the relatively simple care. Unfortunately, the various dragon tree species are occasionally affected by annoying diseases.
Distinguish between illnesses and care mistakes
If plants do not look and grow the way they ought to, it can have different reasons. Pathogens or pests are not always the cause of deciduous leaves or unsightly patches of foliage. Dragon trees are dependent on a suitable location with not too intense sunlight, the right amount of moisture and a special soil. Often, stains on the leaves, or even limp leaves, have one of the following causes as triggers:
Recognize the leaf spot disease
In fact, dragon trees appreciate a constant high relative humidity or, alternatively, a regular spraying of the leaves. In part, however, this intensive care can also have a negative effect and promote the spread of the so-called Fusarium leaf spot disease. This arises first in the center of the leaf crown of a dragon tree and manifests itself in orange-brown spots and a starting from above stem rot. If an incoming dragon tree can still be rescued at this time, it should be kept much drier on the leaves in the future. Suitable fungicides may be helpful in combating this disease.
The pathogens of Erwinia soft rot stink to the sky
The identification of the so-called soft rot with the nose is often not particularly difficult: Affected plants stink unpleasant to fish and are covered in the rotting stem parts usually with a nasty mucus. This disease can be partially combated by a pruning of the affected strain ends or by a new rooting of a cuttings. Mostly, however, it makes sense to dispose of affected specimens early, so as not to endanger other dragon trees or to prevent new outbreaks of the disease.
Tips
Diverse dragon tree diseases and other problems of these plants are associated with waterlogging in the pot. This problem can be minimized by cultivating dragon trees in hydroponics.