We study yucca diseases and their treatment
Yucca diseases and their treatment, photos of which can be seen below, most often appear with the wrong content. This flower is very thermophilic and can easily withstand hot weather and droughts. With proper care, it can grow to enormous sizes. However, it can sometimes succumb to various diseases and pests. Therefore, every gardener needs to know what dangers exist, and how to deal with them.
What problems can you face when growing a flower
Many do not know what to do when the yucca has dropped its leaves. But it is this fact that most often indicates waterlogging.
The most common problems that occur when growing this plant:
- lack of flowering;
- bacterial burn;
- the formation of brown spots on the leaves;
- leaves turn yellow on yucca;
- the edges and tips of the leaves become brown;
- the appearance of gray spots on the leaves;
- the presence of rot on the trunk and root system.
In addition to diseases, yucca can also be affected by a variety of pests. Most often it is a whitefly, false shield, slugs, spider mites and mealybugs. How to deal with the above problems, we will consider in this article.
What to do if yucca does not bloom
Yucca blooms with a variety of beautiful flowers, painted in different shades. Moreover, the buds should appear every summer, if you adhere to all the rules of care, creating conditions for her that are close to natural. However, unfortunately, not everyone, even experienced gardeners, can achieve this. A prerequisite for the cultivation of yucca is the presence of a long daylight hours, since she loves light very much, as well as the correct temperature. When grown in indoor pots will have to be content with only her gorgeous leaves.
Often the owners of such a specimen do not understand why a young plant does not bloom. For the first buds to appear, proper care is required for four to five years.
Bacterial burn
This disease is not common. However, if it affects the plant, then completely and completely. In such cases, gardeners are interested in why the yucca turns yellow and how to save the plant. If you notice spots that eventually acquire a dark black tint, then you are faced with a bacterial burn.
This trouble happens, in the majority of cases, due to improper growing conditions. Most likely, there is high air temperature and humidity.
The treatment for this yucca disease (pictured) is very complex. Therefore, in order to avoid such a problem, we recommend that immediately when planting yucca, use only new specially treated pots and soil purchased in the store, which is intended for this type of plant. Thus, you can increase the stamina and resistance of the flower to this type of burn. In addition, yucca can become infected from other diseased plants near it. Or, the carrier can be insects that damage the leaves or roots of the flower.
It is important to notice a bacterial burn in the very first days of its appearance, because if you do not take any measures in time, it will be impossible to cope with this disease. And you just have to throw your favorite yucca. In the event that you saw several spots of yellow-black color on the leaves, immediately remove the damaged plates, and additionally treat the plant with Bordeaux liquid, or any antibiotic.
Brown spot
A similar disease is caused by the fungi Coniothyrium concentricum. A feature of this disease is that it first appears on the lower leaves. It is the plates that are located at the very base that affect microorganisms in the first place. At first, colorless areas can be seen on the leaves, which turn yellow over time. After a few weeks, these spots turn brown.
To rectify the situation, immediately process fungicides, for example, such as:
- Vitaros;
- Oxyhom;
- Alirin-b.
Such preparations should be diluted in the proportions indicated on the packaging and sprayed with a spray bottle. Repeated treatments should be carried out every ten days. Leaves that could not be saved are best cut off completely.
Try to maintain proper humidity and temperature conditions to prevent brown spots. Watch your watering frequency. Both abundant irrigation and its complete absence are not allowed.
What to do with brown leaf edges
A similar problem is observed when growing a flower indoors. Often, the tips of yucca leaves dry up in the winter, when the heating season begins. Because of work heating devices the air in the room becomes very dry, which cannot but affect the condition of the plants. In most cases, the flower copes with such a nuisance. But sometimes the tips of the leaves can still begin to dry out.
To avoid such a disease of indoor yucca, it is necessary to increase the humidity in the room. This can be done in two ways: using special humidifiers, or frequent spraying from a spray bottle.
Another reason for the formation of brown edges on the leaves can be constant drafts. Try changing the location of the plant.
Gray spot
One of the reasons why yucca turns yellow and dries up is gray spotting. This disease develops gradually. First, small specks of a grayish shade with brown edges form on the leaves, or the border of the leaf acquires this color. Young shoots are rarely exposed to this disease. As a rule, it affects the lower old sheets.
Fungicides are used to treat this yucca disease (pictured). Remove leaves that are already badly damaged and spray the plant with this preparation. Use the treatment solution periodically to prevent disease.
Rot on roots and stem
Unfortunately, these ailments are fatal for yucca. Such diseases are developing very rapidly. Root rot affects the entire underground system, making it simply impossible to save the plant. The presence of this disease is primarily indicated by dark spots on the leaves. Also, if you check the roots of a flower, you will notice that they have become watery, wet, and acquired an unpleasant odor. Since it is almost impossible to save the yucca during decay, you should take the conditions of its maintenance with all responsibility.
With stem rot, similar manifestations are also observed, but already on the stem. And first of all, its lower part is affected. There may also be a kind of red sores. The cause of this disease is considered to be the frequent changes in the place where the yucca grows. Since it is very difficult to treat yucca in this case, it is recommended to take all measures to prevent such problems from occurring.
To do this, you must adhere to the basic rules of care:
- When planting the plant, use only sterile pots and soil.
- Conduct periodic moderate watering, avoiding both waterlogging and drying out of the soil.
- When growing in a room, do not forget about the holes in the pot and the presence of a drainage layer.
Many are looking for how to save a yucca from a soft trunk, since they do not know that it is unrealistic to do this. Therefore, in order not to lose the plant, you need to properly maintain it.
Pest control
In addition to diseases, various insects can also cause significant harm to the yucca. More often this flower affects the whitefly. It sucks the juice from the leaves of the plant, due to which the areas are severely damaged, the yucca withers. To get rid of it, use insecticides diluted in the appropriate proportion.
Also yucca can infect false shields. To combat these pests, use alcohol, water-oil emulsions. Also replace the top soil in the yucca pot.
The spider mite is a fairly frequent “guest” on this flower. It is one of the reasons why yucca leaves curl into a tube. If a spider mite is wound up, you can use the means at hand. This insect is afraid of water, so rinse the plant thoroughly under a cold stream. Then treat the plant with acaricide.
Another mistake that is often made when cultivating this plant is that flower growers cut off the lower, wilted leaves. We recommend not to do this, as this is not typical in the natural environment, where the flower feels comfortable and calm. Otherwise, the lack of budding is possible.
As you can see, yucca, like any other plant, can be subject to various diseases and pests. However, knowing the basic rules of care and prevention, these problems can be easily avoided.