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HISTORIC NOTE
The publications in this collection do
not reflect current scientific knowledge
or recommendations. These texts
represent the historic publishing
record of the Institute for Food and
Agricultural Sciences and should be
used only to trace the historic work of
the Institute and its staff. Current IFAS
research may be found on the
Electronic Data Information Source
(EDIS)
site maintained by the Florida
Cooperative Extension Service.
Copyright 2005, Board of Trustees, University
of Florida
\^^,i FOLIAGE PLANT PROBLEMS L.tU y
R. T. Poole, R. A. Hamlen, A. R. Chase and B. A. Barmby
IFAS, University of Florida S. niv. of Fitr
Agricultural Research Center-Apopka--
ARC-A Research Report RH-80-6
A diagnostic clinic has been conducted at the Agricultural Research
Center Apopka since January, 1976. The clinic serves a multicounty area
and has diagnosed over 2500 plant problems.' A discussion of major problems
and a summary of problems diagnosed on some foliage plant genera is found
below. Concentrations and application conditions of chemicals producing
phytotoxicity are unknown. With proper concentration and time of application
chemical may not be phytotoxic.
AGLAONEMA
Algaonemas are relatively free of insect and disease problems, but
Erwinia, Pythium and the lesion nematode are sometimes present. These plants
frequently manifest evidence of cold damage at temperatures of 50OF or lower.
Fransher requires additional copper to prevent distortion and reduced leaf
size. Silver Queen sometimes produces a bent tip. The exact cause is not known,
but plants under high light or water stress seem to exhibit these problems
frequently.
Cultural Pathogens Pests Phytotoxicity
Cold damage Colletotrichum Mites Diazinon
High salts Erwinia Dithane M-45
Overwatering Fusarium Temik
Sunburn Pythium Vydate
Unvented heaters Pseudomonas
Rhizoctonia
APHELANDRA
A common problem of Aphelandra is Tarsonemid mites, which are found in
the plant tip, but are difficult to detect. Aphids,thrips and Corynespora
Extension Agent III, Multi-County. Florida Cooperative Extension Service,
IFAS, University of Florida, 2350 E. Michigan Ave., Orlando, FL 32806
leafspot also frequently damage Aphelandra.
Cultural Pathogens Pests Phytotoxicity
Cold damage Corynespora Aphids Benlate
High salts Phytophthora Mealybugs Cygon
High temperatures Pythium Mites Daconil
Incorrect light Rhizoctonia Dexon
intensity Kelthane
Poor drainage Meta-Systox R
Potted too deep Pirimor
Toxaphene
ARAUCARIA
The Norfolk Island Pine is another plant with very few problems caused
by pests, although sometimes is troubled by Colletotrichum needle necrosis.
Cultural Pathogens Pests Phytotoxocity
High salts Fusarium Mites Princep
Low pH Pythium Nematodes
Potted too deep Rhizoctonia Thrips
BRASSAIA
Although Schefflera are popular items in the foliage trade, they are
afflicted with many problems. Plants are frequently infested with mites,
Aphids and scale also attack the plants. Alternaria can be a common problem,
especially when leaves remain moist for extended periods. Leaves also
succumb to Phytophthora and roots sometimes are troubled with Pythium,
Phytophthora and Rhizoctonia.
Cultural Pathogens Pests Phytotoxicity
Cold damage Alternaria Mealybugs Cygon
Cold water Cercospora Mites Isotox
High salts Fusarium Scales Malathion
High temperatures Phytophthora Thrips Orthene
Low nutrition Pythium Pentac
Overwatering Rhizoctonia Temik
Unvented heaters Vydate
DIEFFENBACHIA
Dieffenbachia is another group of plants with frequent afflictions.
Mites are a major problem and thrips, aphids and root mealybugs also
cause difficulties, Dieffenbachia also has many disease problems.
Erwinia rot, Leptosphaeria leafspot and Dasheen Mosaic Virus are commonly
hosted by Dieffenbachia.
Cultural
Cold damage
High light
intensity
High temperatures
Overwatering
Potted too deep
Pathogens
Alternaria
Cercospora
Colletotrichum
Dasheen Mosaic
SVirus
Erwinia
Fusarium
Leptosphaeria
Pythium
SRhizoctonia
Xanthomonas
Pests
Aphids
Mealybugs
Mites
Nematodes
Thrips
Phytotoxicity
Agri-mycin
Agri-strep
Benlate
Benlate + Truban
Daconil
Dexon
Kelthane
Kocide + Dithane M-45
Meta-Systox R
Pentac
Vydate
DRACAENA
Dracaena have few problems if the grower begins with clean plants, Foliar
mealybugs, spider mites and borers (primarily Massangeana) are sometimes found.
Fusarium (Marginata) and Pseudomonas (Sanderiana) can eliminate a large
percentage of cuttings if contaminated stock is used. Fluoride toxicity can
also be a serious problem.
Cultural Pathogens Pests Phytotoxicity
Cold damage Botrytis Mites Banrot
Cold water Colletotrichum Xyloborus beetle Benlate
Fluoride Diplodia Daconil
High light Erwinia Diazinon
intensity Fusarium Dipel
High salts Pythium Lannate
High temperatures Rhizoctonia Pentac
Overwatering Truban
Unvented heaters Vydate
~
EPIPREMNUM
Epipremnum (Pothos) has severe problems with Pythium root rot.
Rhizoctonia and Erwinia also can be very troublesome. Insects are seldom
a problem but foliar mealybugs and caterpillars are sometimes present.
Spider mites can be found also.
Cultural Pathogens Pests Phytotoxicity
Cold damage Colletotrichum Fungus gnats Benlate
Cold water Erwinia Mites Captan
High salts Fusarium Nematodes Chlordane
High temperatures Pythium Thrips Dexon
Poor ventilation Rhizoctonia Dithane M-45
Kelthane
Maalathion
Pentac
Truban
FICUS
Pests are not usually a serious problem for Ficus. Scale and mealybugs
maybe present on some plants. Pathogens are seldom seen on Ficus, although
Cercospora leafspot,Colletotrichum, Fusarium and Rhizoctonia have been
isolated from Ficus tissue.
Cultural Pathogens Pests Phytotoxicity
Cold damage Cercospora Scales No record of
High salts Colletotrichum phytotoxicity
Fusarium
Phyllosticta
Pseudomonas
Pythium
Rhizoctonia
Maintaining the
prevent tip necrosis
mites are one of the
MARANTA
proper environment of light, water and fertilizer to
is a difficult task when growing Marantas. Spider
more serious problems.
Cultural
Cold damage
Cold water
Fluoride
High light
intensity
High temperatures
Low pH
Low temperatures
Overwatering
Underwatering
Unvented heaters
Pathogens
Alternaria
Fusarium
Helminthosporium
Pseudomonas
Pythium
Rhizoctonia
Pests
Fungus gnats
Mealybugs
Mites
Nematodes
Phytotoxicity
Benlate
Daconil
Dexon
Dithane M-45
Kelthane
Meta-Systox R
Vydate
PALM
Spider mites, and sometimes scales, are serious problems for palms.
Pathogens are infrequently a problem, but Gliocladium blight, Fusarium, Pythium
and Rhizoctonia can be severe. Palms are also afflicted by numerous leafspots;
some caused by fungi and others are nutritional in source.
Cultural Pathogens Pests. Phytotoxicity
Direct heat Alternaria Aphids Benlate
High salts Colletotrichum Mites Daconil
High temperatures Fusarium Thrips Dipel
Poor drainage Helminthosporium Meta-Systox R
Poor irrigation Pythium Sevin
methods Rhizoctonia Vydate
Overwatering
Underwatering
Unvented heaters
---
PEPEROMIA
Overwatering and overfertilizing damage may kill many Peperomia.
Fungus gnats are an indication of overwatering.
Pathogens
Pests
Phytotoxicity
Direct heat
High light
intensity
High salts
High temperatures
Low nutrition
Low temperatures
Poor drainage
Poor sanitation
Overwatering
Unvented heaters
Alternaria
Botrytis
Cercospora
Colletotrichum.
Curvularia
Dactylaria
Erwinia
Fusarium
Phytophthora
Pseudomonas
Pythium
Rhizoctonia
/Trichoderma
Xanthomonas
Aphids
Fungus gnats
Goldenrod
beetle
Mites
Thrips
PHILODENDRON
Philodendrons are seldom troubled by insects and related pests,
Burrowing
nematodes and mealybugs have been found in isolated instances, Thrips are
sometimes detrimental on Cordatum and snails can be troublesome with Selloum.
Erwinia, Phytophthora and Xanthomonas leafspots can cause severe losses,
Pathooens
Cold damage
Cold water
Direct heat
High light
intensity
High salts
High temperatures
Poor drainage
Poor ventilation
Overwatering
Unvented heaters
Botrytis
Dactylaria
Dasheen Mosaic
Virus
Erwinia
Fusarium
Phytophthora
Pythium
Rhizoctonia
Sclerotium
Xanthomonas
Pests
Fungus gnats
Mealybugs
Nematodes
Snails, slugs
Thrips
Phytotoxicity
Agro-mycin
Chlordane
Meta-Systox R
Orthene
Vydate
Cultural
Benlate
Dexon
Diazinon
Princep
Truban
Vydate
Cultural
~1~1 ~1~13_
SANSEVIERIA
A more trouble free foliage plant is hard to find, The plant is
attacked successfully by root knot nematodes, and occasionally by thrips.
Fusarium and Erwinia are rarely found.
Cultural Pathogens Pests Phytotoxicity
Cold damage Fusarium Thrips No record of
High light Pythium phytotoxicity
intensity
High salts
Overwatering
SPATHIPHYLLUM
This plant is also almost pest free. Occasionally Pythium has been
found.
Cultural Pathogens Pests Phytotoxicity
Cold damage Pseudomonas Mites No record of
High light Pythium Thrips phytotoxicity
intensity Rhizoctonia
High salts Sclerotium
Overwatering
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