The popularity of zamiokulkas among flower growers is explained by the comparative unpretentiousness of the plant. At the same time, the flower has a presentable appearance, so it fits perfectly into the interior of the apartment, at home, and looks organically in the office. Zamiokulkas perfectly tolerates dry air, plenty of sunlight or lack thereof and does not need regular watering. But, despite these positive qualities of the plant, there are situations when a flower needs human participation. Therefore, it is worthwhile to know the diseases of Zamioculcas and their treatment (you will find the photo and the necessary information in this article).
Yellow leaves
This problem is the most common in Zamioculcas. But not always yellowness of the leaves indicates the development of the disease. In some cases, this is a sign of natural renewal of the plant. In this case, only the lower leaves and small branches turn yellow, but in return the flower releases new strong shoots. Therefore, such a factor should not cause any alarm in the grower.
And in the case of abundant and sharp yellowing of the leaves, you should immediately respond, as this indicates a lack of nutrition of the upper part of the plant. This occurs as a result of damage to the root system, so it does not cope with its function.
When growing Zamioculcas at home, diseases often develop due to improper care or inadequate conditions:
- excessive watering;
- cold content;
- drafts;
- lack of moisture;
- inappropriate soil composition;
- the pot is incorrectly selected;
- prolonged lack of transplant.
Often, abundant yellowness of leaves is provoked by such a disease of zamioculcas as root rot. In this case, the plant can be saved only at the initial stage of development of the negative process. To do this, you should initially pour zamioculcas with the preparation "Maxim" or "Previkur" according to the instructions, and then transplant the flower into a new substrate. To do this, it is better to use the soil for cacti and succulents purchased in a specialized store. In the absence of such an opportunity, it can be prepared independently at home.
The optimal soil composition for zamioculcas will consist of the following elements:
- peat - 1 part;
- sheet land - 1 part;
- soddy soil - 2 parts;
- sand - 1 part.
When transplanting, it is necessary to carry out the actions in the following sequence:
- Clear the root system of rotten processes.
- Treat the pot with boiling water and remove the soil from the roots as much as possible.
- Then lay a thick drainage layer 3 cm thick.
- Sprinkle it with fresh soil.
- To place a bush of zamioculcas in the center of the pot, without deepening the root neck.
- Fill the resulting voids with fresh soil.
- Water the plant a little, but not in the middle of the bush, but along the edge of the pot.
- Put zamioculcas in a slightly darkened place for adaptation.
To speed up the recovery process, it is recommended to spray the leaves and shoots with the Epin preparation and pour as the soil dries with the Kornevin working solution to enhance root growth.
All these actions are not able to bring a positive result with advanced Zamioculcus disease, as this threatens with irreversible consequences.
Stalk bending
In this case, the cause of the problem is improper care. Zamioculcas disease begins due to constant waterlogging of the soil, from which rot of the basal neck and tubers develops.
To save the plant, you must remove it from the pot. Carefully inspect the tubers for rot and remove the damaged areas with a knife to a healthy tissue. After this, sprinkle the slices with “Fundazol” or “Oksikhom”.
Subsequently, transplant the plant into a new pot and completely replace the substrate. If it is not possible to save the damaged tuber, then it should be removed, and the upper part should be used for reproduction.
Rotting of the stem is one of the common diseases of zamioculcas, therefore, watering is recommended taking into account the needs of the flower, that is, in the warm season 1 time in 7-10 days, and in the cold - 1 time in 2 weeks, but subject to complete drying of the soil.
Lack of full growth
This problem in most cases is caused by improper plant transplantation into a new pot. Slowed growth or its complete absence is associated with excessive deepening of the root neck of the plant. Therefore, it is recommended to remove the flower from the soil and plant it again, but at the same time, the shoot growth point should be located at the soil level.
Another reason may be a lack of trace elements or a lack of timely transplantation into a more spacious container, which does not allow the plant to fully develop. In the first case, you can correct the situation using fertilizers for succulents, and in the second, planting zamioculcas in a new pot, which will be 2-3 cm wider than the previous one.
Dark spots on the stem or leaves
This symptom in some cases should be the reason for the start of therapeutic measures, and sometimes should not cause alarm. Therefore, it is necessary to understand when it is worth taking urgent measures.
Dark spots on the stem in the absence of putrefactive signs and pests are not considered a sign of Zamioculcas disease, since this is a characteristic feature of the plant. In the future, spots can develop into shingles and increase in size. In this case, the florist has no cause for concern.
Dark spots in Zamioculcas disease can also appear on the leaves, which indicates the non-observance of the rules of the plant. That is, the temperature in the room is below the required 18 degrees. In addition, the cause of this may be the presence of drafts and increased humidity in the room. You can correct the situation by adjusting the conditions of detention and treating the plant with the drug "Skor" or "Fitosporin".
Chlorosis
Sometimes such a disease of Zamioculcas (in the photo posted above, you can see how it manifests itself) can be caused by a lack of iron in the plant. This leads to disruption of the production of chlorophyll and minimizes the process of photosynthesis. In this case, the leaf plates initially lighten a little, and subsequently completely discolored. A characteristic difference is green streaks on a light background of leaves.
The disease develops on young shoots at the beginning of the growing season. Initially, this is expressed in small stripes and strokes, which subsequently grow and merge into a single whole.
You can get rid of chlorosis with the help of iron chelate by watering the plant under the root with a working solution at the rate of 5 g of the product in 5 l of water. Processing should be carried out every 10 days until the plant is fully restored.
Phomosis, or dry rot
This zamioculcas disease develops as a result of a lack of moisture in the absence of timely watering. It manifests itself in spots of brownish-gray shade of a round shape. Another cause of infection is the close proximity to a diseased plant.
First of all, negative signs appear on old shoots. Subsequently, in the absence of any measures and treatment, Zamioculcas disease spreads to tubers. This leads to the fact that the plant begins to dry from the inside and can die.
To combat phomosis, it is recommended to water Zamioculcas with a working solution of the drug "Maxim" or "Previkur", which will help stop tissue necrosis. Subsequently, it is necessary to transplant the flower into a new soil with the removal of the affected tubers.
Pest diseases
Often the dejected state of a flower can be triggered by the negative effects of insects. This occurs as a result of a decrease in plant immunity. Therefore, damage to zamioculcas by pests and diseases are two interrelated factors. The reason for this is inappropriate conditions of detention or proximity to a diseased flower.
Against this background, many pests feed on the cellular juice of Zamioculcas, which significantly weakens its vitality. In addition, as a result of their life activity, a characteristic sticky coating appears, which provokes the development of soot fungus in the form of a dense black layer on the leaves. In itself, this fungal disease is not able to cause serious damage to the plant, but it prevents full breathing and isolates the leaves from sunlight, which negatively affects the growth and development of the bush.
Therefore, it is important at the first signs of its spread to wash the foliage and shoots of Zamioculcas with a solution of laundry soap. And subsequently, it is necessary to treat the plant with special preparations from pests, selecting them in accordance with the type of harmful insect.
Spider mite
It is very difficult to detect this pest on a plant at the initial stage of infection because of its tiny size. But, despite this, it is capable of causing serious harm to zamioculcas and, in the absence of treatment, can cause the death of the plant.
Characteristic signs of a spider mite:
- small yellow dots along the edge of the sheet plate;
- dejected kind of plant;
- slow growth;
- small cobweb on the leaves.
The spider mite prefers to reproduce in dry air and elevated temperature, therefore it is recommended as a preventive measure to take a shower for the plant in a particularly hot season. But with abundant accumulation, it is necessary to carry out the treatment with "Actellicum" or "Fitoverm", evenly spraying shoots and leaves. After 7 days, the procedure should be repeated.
Shield
The insect first appears on the shoots of Zamioculcus, and then, as it multiplies, it moves to the leaves. The scabbard looks like small brown spots that can be easily removed with a fingernail. The insect feeds directly on the juice of Zamioculcas, which significantly reduces its immunity.
The most dangerous are females who have neither arms nor legs, but have a well-developed oral cavity. Young scale insects with a soft shield are still able to move, but when it hardens they become motionless. The scabbard is attached to the back of the sheet plate, but over time, negative changes can be seen from above, which is expressed in yellow spots. In the absence of adequate control measures, the damaged leaf turns yellow completely and disappears. In addition, as a result of the life of the scab, sticky drops appear on the shoots, which provokes the development of fungal diseases.
If the plant is not treated, then from time to time growth has completely stopped, the branches are exposed, decorativeness is lost, the plant gradually weakens and as a result dies.
To combat the pest, it is necessary to water the plants with a working solution of the "Aktara" preparation, preparing it at the rate of 1.4 g of the product per 6 liters of water. Any type of spraying shoots in the destruction of the pest will be useless, since the shield completely protects the insect. 10 days after the first treatment, watering with an insecticide should be repeated.
Mealybug
The pest can be recognized by the characteristic white fluffy lumps under which it hides. The insect eats cellular juice and thereby negatively affects the general condition of the plant.
Most often, the mealybug is localized in remote places at the base of the leaves. To destroy the pest, it is necessary to spray the preparation with Actellik 2-3 times with a frequency of 1 week until the characteristic signs disappear completely. In addition, you should wipe the places of mass accumulation of the insect with a cloth moistened in solution.
Mushroom mosquito and podura
These two types of insects breed in soil with high humidity. Mushroom mosquitoes are small midges that fly over a pot. But the danger is not adults, but their larvae in the form of small worms that feed on the young roots of the plant. To combat mushroom mosquitoes, it is recommended to use the "Dichlorvos" or "Raid" aerosol, and it will also be necessary to water the drug "Aktara" (1.4 g per 6 l). In addition, you should transplant the plant and completely change the soil.
Poduras are also small jumping insects, which indicate a constant overflow of zamioculcas. It is not difficult to get rid of the pest, it is enough to allow the soil in the pot to dry well.
Zamioculcas diseases and their treatment (photos of the manifestation of plant disease symptoms are presented in the article) once again prove that the flower, with its comparative unpretentiousness, needs to follow the basic rules of care. Therefore, in order to grow a beautiful and healthy plant, it is necessary to periodically carry out prophylaxis and respond in time to any negative changes in appearance.