Diseases and pests of zamiokulkas

Zamioculcas is a popular houseplant, believed to be its homeland in Africa. The plant has a meter-long stem covered with paired dark green leathery leaves. Like any other indoor flower, the "dollar tree" needs proper care, which strengthens its immunity.

Such an exotic plant as zamioculcas is easily mastered at home. This flower is not characterized by whimsical care, since it is not particularly sensitive to dry air, it can exist both in the open sun and in a shaded area. The optimum temperature for the "dollar tree" is considered to be in the range from 10 to 30 degrees Celsius.

Despite the low demands on the conditions of detention, zamioculcas will fully grow and develop in an environment that is as close to natural as possible. In an apartment, the best place for a flower of this type will be south window. An insufficient amount of light is not detrimental to the plant, but it can lead to crushing of the leaves, as well as a deterioration in decorative qualities. In the warm season, the "dollar tree" should be taken out onto the balcony as often as possible.

The best substrate for the growth of a flower can be called not heavy and not clayey. Stagnation of water is considered detrimental to the plant, therefore it is better when the soil is light, loose and has a sandy base. In order for excess moisture to leave, a drainage layer must be provided in the flowerpot, which can be done from expanded clay, pebbles. The normal activity of zamiokulkas occurs even on poor soil, but if the grower feeds him, then the positive results will not be long in coming. You can fertilize a flower with a special feeding for a cactus: once every 30 days and in small quantities.

Transplanting the "dollar tree" is needed only if it is necessary to replace the pot with a larger one. For better engraftment, the roots of the plant are not buried, but left slightly open. The correct content of zamiokulkas includes a lot of bright sunlight, a warm room, limited irrigation.

In order for the exotic zamioculcas to grow normally and delight flower growers with its appearance, you need to make very little effort. But if you want this plant to live indoors, you should pay due attention to it. If signs of disease appear, then they should be eliminated immediately. A flower can die if it is frozen or flooded with water.

If the "dollar tree" is frozen, then it is worth saving its roots. The part of the plant that has already died off should be cut off. The solution "Zircon" can help in this case, which contributes to the rapid adaptation of the flower and the elimination of the stress state. After the above procedures, zamioculcas recovers on its own and gives new foliage.

Sometimes situations arise when a zamioculcas growing at home dries up, turns yellow, stops growing or dies altogether. A common cause of the above phenomena is plant disease.

When the stem decays and dark black or brown spots appear on it, it can be argued that the flower is sick. At the same time, in addition to the above signs, the plant often attacks root rot. The reason for this condition is often hidden. in excessive irrigation, low room temperature, as well as improperly prepared substrate... With a high gravity and clay content of the soil, as well as the absence of drainage, stagnation of water occurs, which entails rotting processes.

The first thing to do in this situation is normalization of environmental conditions, that is, temperature, irrigation. It is also recommended to remove the flower from the pot and carry out wellness treatments. Each of the parts of the "dollar tree" must be treated with a fungicidal solution, transplanted into a new container, or disinfected the old one. In a situation of excessive damage, the plants produce the utilization of the flower.

If watering the "dollar tree" is not organized properly, it can lead to problems with tubers. Drying of the root system indicates a long-term lack of watering. Despite the ability of the flower tubers to accumulate liquid in themselves, do not forget about the organized irrigation of the plant.

In a situation where the zamioculcas has rotted, we can talk about its bay. The flower will urgently need measures such as replanting and eliminating all rotten elements. In this case, it is worth using a purchased substrate - desert soil for cactus plants would be ideal. If the tuber of the "dollar tree" has not rotted, but only turned black, then this indicates the old age of the root system. The appearance of white roots means that the plant is producing new, young and strong tubers.

It happens that the root of the zamioculcas does not rot, but becomes covered with spots. This situation indicates the incorrectness of watering, namely, its frequency.

Improper cultivation of this type of indoor plant can cause diseases, which are manifested in the appearance of a white bloom on the leaves, they dry and curl. Such situations become a consequence of the drying of the flower, rare watering, flooding, the use of cold liquid.

If the grower notices that about 5 percent of the leaves have turned yellow, then this is caused by natural aging of the plant... If the entire branch turns yellow, you should think about improper care or attack by parasites. Withering of leaf blades can occur with natural aging of the "dollar tree", which affects only the lower plates.

Spot on the foliage of a flower can be of the following types.

• Dark. The occurrence of this ailment is often caused by over-watering and improper care. Damaged leaves must be removed, and the roots must be examined for decay.
• In the form of brown blots. It can appear during the cold season, when the plant freezes, as well as when it is in a draft.
• Sticky. This type of spotting attacks zamioculcas in case of pest infestation. The disease is accompanied by the appearance of a sooty fungus.

Often, the "dollar tree" is damaged by harmful insects that get on it from the contaminated soil or together with a purchased flower. That is why growers recommend introducing a quarantine regime for a new plant for 14 days by placing the purchased flower in a separate room. In a situation where an insect is seen on the zamioculcas, it is worth removing it from the main flower mass and treating it separately.

To pests that often attack an exotic houseplant, include the following parasites.

• Mealybug. When attacked by this parasite, deformation of the leaf plates occurs. It settles on the foliage of the plant and reproduces on it. The mealybug feeds on the sap of the flower, while blocking its access to oxygen. Washing the plant with a solution of laundry soap, as well as treatment with a chemical preparation, for example, "Aktellik", "Fitoverm", will help to eliminate the parasite.
• Thrips. The appearance of a white bloom on the foliage of the zamiokulkas, as well as the curvature of its shoot, indicate an attack by thrips. An exotic flower should be limited from contact with the rest of the indoor flora, and then treated with "Karbofos" or "Intavir".
• Mite. Parasites of this species are easily seen on the green part of the "dollar tree". This is a small insect that reaches no more than 1 mm in length. Red spiders envelop the leaf plates of the flower with a cobweb. The elimination of the pest should be carried out mechanically: by wiping the leaves with cotton swabs dipped in alcohol. The web can be easily removed with a cotton swab. The final stage in the destruction of ticks is the treatment with "Aktara", "Aktellik".
• Shield. This parasite has a body length of 4 mm, so it is easily visible on the plant. The pest has a shell and is colored brown. The scabbard feeds on the juice of the zamiokulkas, the consequence of which is the appearance of black spots and the drying of the flower. Before starting the treatment of the plant, it is necessary to perform mechanical elimination of the parasites. You can get rid of the scabbard with the help of Actellik.

If the zamioculcas is sick, then the florist can save him on his own. You can revive the plant in the following ways.

• When the tubers of a flower decay, it is necessary to preserve all intact parts of the plant. The florist needs to do everything to save his healthy fragments. From the remaining elements, you can grow a new "dollar tree". If at least some whole roots remain, then they should be planted in new soil. If only whole leaves remain, they are sent to the water to build up the root system.
• Twisted foliage indicates a pest attack. In this situation, the zamioculcas is examined completely, and if a parasite is found, it is worth taking effective measures to combat it.
• Frostbitten foliage «dollar tree» must be trimmed. Some time after the procedure, the florist can observe the appearance of new healthy leaves.

For the treatment of zamioculcas the following fungicides can be used:

• "Maksim" - it is effective in combating rot and red burns;
• Fitosporin - a good drug to fight fungal infections;
• Fundazol necessary to combat fungal spores;
• "Hom" used for brown spots and bacteriosis;
• "Chinozol" Is an effective antibacterial drug.

A flower grower should remember that the processing of the "dollar tree" should be carried out only with one of the above drugs, according to the instructions.

You can also fight the ailments of an exotic flower with the help of folk remedies.

To get rid of the whitefly, you need to wash the greens of the "dollar tree" with dust soap, which can be bought at the pharmacy. To get rid of parasites, wipe the foliage with an alcohol solution and wash the plant with laundry soap.

In order for zamioculcas to delight its owners with beauty, it is worth paying due attention to it and adhering to the appropriate care rules. Upon completion of the treatment of the plant with insecticides, it is worth protecting the soil by covering it with a film.In a day, when the chemicals are washed off with water, the flower must be protected from their penetration to the root. For this, the substrate is re-covered.

The main thing that should not be forgotten is that the "dollar tree" is a representative of the flora, resistant to infectious diseases, but only under the condition of absolute health. An exotic flower should be provided with fluid drainage, the correct temperature and lighting regime.

The following video will tell you how to treat zamioculcas.