An unusual-looking epiphyte that is sold as a hanging plant, porcelain flower has long, dark-edged leaves and clusters of small, berry-like, pink-purple flowers. The flowers aren't especially showy, but they are pretty and smell like butterscotch.
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Common Pests & Diseases About Porcelain flower
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Common issues for Porcelain flower based on 10 million real cases
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Scars
Any light-colored markings that appear on stems but which do not enlarge or multiply are simply scars that have healed.
Solutions: Each source of scarring requires a different approach to help your plant recover. Protect the trunk and leaves from physical damage like scrapes. If pests or disease are the cause of scarring, isolate the plant from others to avoid further spread. Some pests can be removed with organic remedies such as a soft cloth and soapy water solution or diluted isopropyl alcohol spray. Stop sunburn by moving your plant away from direct sunlight and making sure it has the water it needs. Frequent leaf or bud loss may be due to insufficient light or nutrients.
Brown spot
This infection can cause brown spots or patches to appear on the plant.
Solutions: In minor cases of brown spot, there isn’t any need to treat the disease. However, if much of the foliage is affected and defoliation occurs, the plant will benefit from getting rid of the infection. It is recommended to start by applying organic treatment options, working up to the more potent synthetic, chemical fungicides if necessary. Organic options won’t kill the fungus, but will prevent it from spreading. Dissolve ½ teaspoon of baking soda and one teaspoon of liquid soap in a gallon of water. Using a spray bottle, spray on tops and bottoms of leaves until the mixture drips off. Repeat every two weeks until existing spots stop enlarging and new spots no longer appear. Spray a copper-based fungicidal soap on the leaves, coating the top and bottom leaf surfaces. Reapply as directed on the product label. Copper penetrates the leaf surface and prevents germination of spores so the fungus cannot spread. Apply an all-purpose fungicide to the entire plant, following the label instructions carefully.
Waterlogging
Excessive watering will cause many of the leaves near the base of the branch to turn yellow, but the upper leaves will retain a healthy green color.
Solutions: So long as you address waterlogging problems right away, your plant should recover. First, assess the extent of the damage to determine whether it is mild or severe. If the damage is mild, you may only need to reduce your watering levels to revive the plant. Allow the top two inches of soil to dry out between waterings. If the damage is severe: Repot with fresh soil, preferably in a pot with better drainage. If necessary, move plants to places where they get adequate ventilation so the soil can dry out between waterings. Prune away all dead and yellowing leaves. This reduces the plant's water needs and lessens the stress on the roots. It also encourages it to produce new, healthier growth. You should start noticing improvements within a few weeks.
Underwatering
Leaves may wilt for a variety of reasons.
Solutions: The easiest (and most obvious) way to address underwatering is to fully hydrate the plant. However, this must be done carefully. A common mistake that many gardeners make is to douse their underwatered plants with water. This can overwhelm the roots of the plant and shock its system, something that can be even more damaging than the lack of water to begin with. Instead, water thoroughly and slowly, taking breaks to let the water slowly saturate through the soil to get to the roots. Use room temperature water, as cold water might be too much of a shock. In the future, shorten the time between waterings. A good rule of thumb is to check the soil around each plant daily. If it’s dry to at least two inches down, it’s time to water. If a container plant is repeatedly drying out very quickly, repotting into a slower-draining container might be a good idea, too.
Scale insects
Scale insects are generally 2 to 3 mm across and can be found in a range of colors. They often cluster near leaf veins and can be scraped off with a fingernail.
Solutions: Outdoors, the weather and natural enemies of scale insects (such as lady beetles and parasitic wasps) typically keep these pests at bay. When their numbers become abundant (or when scale insects affect indoor plants), interventions are needed. Here are some options: Dip a cotton swab in 80% isopropyl alcohol and run it over the leaves and stems to remove scale Wash leaves with a mild detergent solution (this also removes honeydew) Inspect plants weekly for additional infestations Use spot treatments of insecticidal soap or horticultural oil Remove the plant if a heavy infestation cannot be eliminated – this will prevent it from spreading to other plants Take steps to control ants that may have been attracted to the insects' honeydew
Scars
Any light-colored markings that appear on stems but which do not enlarge or multiply are simply scars that have healed.
Symptom Analysis
Scars form when the plant repairs wounds. They can be the result of people or pets passing by and scraping the plant. Once the underlying issue is resolved, the plant will heal but a scar may remain.
Pests and pathogens can also cause scarring. Insects may attack the plant for a meal, resulting in extensive scarring when a few invaders turn into an infestation. Diseases such as fungus and bacteria can weaken the plant, causing brown spots, mushy areas, or blisters that lead to scars.
Scars occur on stems when a leaf or bud has been lost and the plant has healed. The harder tissue is like a scab that protects a wound.
On other occasions, scars can signal problems from environmental conditions, such as overexposure to sunlight or heat. It might surprise you to know that plants can suffer from sunburn, even desert dwellers like cactus!
Solutions
Each source of scarring requires a different approach to help your plant recover.
Protect the trunk and leaves from physical damage like scrapes.
If pests or disease are the cause of scarring, isolate the plant from others to avoid further spread. Some pests can be removed with organic remedies such as a soft cloth and soapy water solution or diluted isopropyl alcohol spray.
Stop sunburn by moving your plant away from direct sunlight and making sure it has the water it needs.
Frequent leaf or bud loss may be due to insufficient light or nutrients.
Prevention
Preventing some sources of scarring is easier than others, but all start with careful attention to your plants once you decide to bring them home.
Review specific guidelines for your plant, including soil drainage, watering, and fertilizer requirements.
Inspect plants before planting and use sterile pots and fresh potting soil or media to limit transfer of fungi or bacteria.
Once established, check your plants regularly for signs of scarring or the presence of pests, as it is better to catch problems as early as possible.
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Brown spot
This infection can cause brown spots or patches to appear on the plant.
Overview
Discolored spots on the foliage of plants are one of the most common disease problems people observe. These spots are caused by fungal and bacterial diseases, with most infections related to a fungal pathogen.
Brown spot can occurs on all houseplants, flowering ornamentals, vegetable plants, and leaves of trees, bushes, and shrubs. No plants are resistant to it, and the problem is worse in warm, wet environments. It can occur at any point in the life stage as long as leaves are present.
Small brownish spots appear on the foliage and enlarge as the disease progresses. In severe cases, the plant or tree is weakened when the lesions interrupt photosynthesis or cause defoliation.
Symptom Analysis
In most cases, brown spot only affects a small percentage of the whole plant, appearing on a small amount of the leaves. A small infection only puts minor stress on the plant. However, if left untreated and the disease progresses over numerous seasons, it will severely impact the health and productivity of the infected specimen.
Sporulation begins (reproduction of the fungal spores), and tiny spots appear on leaves.
Placement is often random and scattered as diseases are spread through raindrops.
May appear on lower leaves and the interior of the plant where humidity is higher.
Brown spots enlarge and grow large enough to touch neighboring spots to form a more prominent blotch.
Leaf margins may turn yellow.
Tiny black dots (fruiting bodies of the fungi) appear in the dead spots.
Blotches grow in size until the entire leaf is brown.
The leaf falls off the plant.
Severe Symptoms
Partial or complete premature defoliation
Reduced growth
Increased susceptibility to pests and other diseases
Disease Cause
Brown spot, or leaf spot, is a common descriptive term given to several diseases affecting the leaves of plants and trees. Around 85% of diseases exhibiting leaf spots are due to fungus or fungus-like organisms. Sometimes brown spot is caused by a bacterial infection, or insect activity with similar symptoms.
When conditions are warm and the leaf surfaces are wet, fungal spores being transported by wind or rain land on the surface and cling to it. They do not rupture the cell walls but grow in the space between the plant plasma membrane and the plant cell wall. As the spores reproduce, they release toxins and enzymes that cause necrotic spots (i.e., dead tissue) on the leaves, allowing the fungi to consume the products released when the cells degrade.
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Waterlogging
Excessive watering will cause many of the leaves near the base of the branch to turn yellow, but the upper leaves will retain a healthy green color.
Symptom Analysis
Your plant is developing yellow leaves and seems stunted, and the soil feels perpetually wet.
These are classic signs of waterlogging, which means that too much moisture in the soil is restricting space for oxygen molecules. Waterlogging slowly suffocates plant roots, which limits the water and nutrients they can take in. Your plant will try to survive by reducing the number of leaves it supports, which leads them to yellow and wither from the roots up.
If you don’t address the cause of waterlogging, it can soon kill the entire plant.
Solutions
So long as you address waterlogging problems right away, your plant should recover.
First, assess the extent of the damage to determine whether it is mild or severe.
If the damage is mild, you may only need to reduce your watering levels to revive the plant. Allow the top two inches of soil to dry out between waterings.
If the damage is severe:
Repot with fresh soil, preferably in a pot with better drainage.
If necessary, move plants to places where they get adequate ventilation so the soil can dry out between waterings.
Prune away all dead and yellowing leaves. This reduces the plant's water needs and lessens the stress on the roots. It also encourages it to produce new, healthier growth.
You should start noticing improvements within a few weeks.
Prevention
Reduce your plant’s risk of waterlogging by monitoring your watering frequency.
Only water when the finger test indicates the soil is dry up to your second knuckle (about the top two inches)
Consider purchasing a soil water meter and watering when indicated.
Plant only in pots with good drainage
Use premium-quality potting soil for indoor plants to ensure that plant roots can access adequate amounts of nutrients and oxygen.
Address signs of waterlogging right away so you can correct it before the plant roots are compromised.
Snip off yellowing leaves as they form to prevent them from further stressing a plant.
Continue reading in our app - it's better
A database of 400000+ plants and unlimited guides at your fingertips...
Scan the QR code with your phone camera to download the app
Underwatering
Leaves may wilt for a variety of reasons.
Overview
Underwatering plants is one of the quickest ways to kill them. This is something that most gardeners are well aware of. Unfortunately, knowing exactly how much water a plant needs can be tricky, especially considering that underwatering and overwatering present similar symptoms in plants.
Therefore, it’s important to be vigilant and attentive to each plants’ individual needs.
Symptom Analysis
As mentioned earlier, overwatering and underwatering present similar symptoms in plants. These symptoms include poor growth, wilted leaves, defoliation, and brown leaf tips or margins. Ultimately, both underwatering and overwatering can lead to the death of a plant.
The easiest way to determine whether a plant has too much water or too little is to look at the leaves. If underwatering is the culprit, the leaves will look brown and crunchy, while if it’s overwatering, they will appear yellow or a pale green in color.
When this issue first begins, there may be no noticeable symptoms at all, particularly in hardy or drought-tolerant plants. However, they will begin to wilt once they start suffering from a lack of water. The edges of the plant’s leaves will become brown or curled. Soil pulling away from the edges of the planter is a telltale sign, or a crispy, brittle stem.
Prolonged underwatering can cause a plant’s growth to become stunted. The leaves might drop and the plant can be more susceptible to pest infestations, too.
Disease Cause
Underwatering is caused by, quite simply, not watering plants often or deeply enough. There is a heightened risk of underwatering if any of these situations apply:
Extreme heat and dry weather (when growing outdoors)
Grow lights or indoor lighting that is too bright or intense for the type of plant
Using fast-draining growing media such as sand
Continue reading in our app - it's better
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Scan the QR code with your phone camera to download the app
Scale insects
Scale insects are generally 2 to 3 mm across and can be found in a range of colors. They often cluster near leaf veins and can be scraped off with a fingernail.
Overview
Tiny, bumpy growths all over the stem of a plant is a classic sign of scale insects. These sucking insects bury their mouthparts into the leaves, fruit, or bark of trees, shrubs, and other plants. Over time, scale insects can severely damage their hosts.
Scale insects are not just one species of insects but instead are a large, diverse group of more than 8,000 individual species, including soft scales (brown soft scale, cottony maple scale, European elm scale) and armored scales (oystershell scale, euonymus scale, San Jose scale). These tiny pests may be between 3 to 10 mm in length and are closely related to whiteflies and aphids.
Despite the differences in size and appearance, the one thing that all scale insects have in common is that they grow beneath a wax covering. This covering looks somewhat like the scales of a fish or a reptile - hence the name. It protects the insect from harm.
Scale insects feed on a wide variety of plants but are most common on herbaceous ornamental plants (both indoor and outdoor) as well as numerous species of shrubs and trees. Scale insects are easy to overlook, in part because they are so small and also because they do not look like actual insects. However, it is important to take action as soon as they are noticed to ensure the health of the plants.
Symptom Analysis
The most obvious symptom is the presence of groups of the insects themselves, which look much like bumpy growths on plants, generally quite small (less than the size of a coin). Scale insects tend to cluster together and appear all at once.
The insects hatch from eggs inside these scales and develop through two growth stages before becoming adults. Once mature, adult females produce eggs that they hide beneath their bodies. These ultimately hatch into tiny crawlers, which are yellow to orange, and begin feeding within just a day or two. They suck sap through their needle-like mouthparts and will excrete a substance called honeydew behind them as they eat.
Since the scale insectss are subtle in appearance, symptoms in the host plants may be the first sign that is noticed. As the insects eat all the plant's nutrients, leaves will drop prematurely, and the growth of plants becomes stunted. Dead or browned leaves might remain for a long period of time on the scale-killed branches.
Sooty mold can also appear on infested plants, growing in the honeydew that the insects leave behind. It is a black fungus that is fluffy and unattractive. The sooty mold growth causes plants to yellow, since it interferes with the process of photosynthesis.
Solutions
Outdoors, the weather and natural enemies of scale insects (such as lady beetles and parasitic wasps) typically keep these pests at bay.
When their numbers become abundant (or when scale insects affect indoor plants), interventions are needed. Here are some options:
Dip a cotton swab in 80% isopropyl alcohol and run it over the leaves and stems to remove scale
Wash leaves with a mild detergent solution (this also removes honeydew)
Inspect plants weekly for additional infestations
Use spot treatments of insecticidal soap or horticultural oil
Remove the plant if a heavy infestation cannot be eliminated – this will prevent it from spreading to other plants
Take steps to control ants that may have been attracted to the insects' honeydew
Continue reading in our app - it's better
A database of 400000+ plants and unlimited guides at your fingertips...
Scan the QR code with your phone camera to download the app
Distribution of Porcelain flower
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Distribution Map of Porcelain flower
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
More Info on Porcelain Flower Growth and Care
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Basic Care Guide
Transplant
15-20 inches
Transplant porcelain flower as the seasons change, from budding springtime to the cool onset of autumn, ensuring it settles in comfortably without the stress of extreme weather. Choose a cozy spot with bright, indirect light and share a gentle tip: keep porcelain flower's roots snug, but not tight, to foster flourishing growth.
Porcelain flower is native to regions with moderate climates, where temperatures regularly range from 68 to 95 °F (20 to 35 ℃). It thrives in such warm, temperate conditions so owners should aim to replicate this environment, particularly during chillier seasons.
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About
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Pests & Diseases
Distribution
More About How-Tos
Porcelain flower
Hoya wayetii
Also known as: Wax plant
An unusual-looking epiphyte that is sold as a hanging plant, porcelain flower has long, dark-edged leaves and clusters of small, berry-like, pink-purple flowers. The flowers aren't especially showy, but they are pretty and smell like butterscotch.
Hardiness Zones
10
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Common Pests & Diseases About Porcelain flower
Feedback
Common issues for Porcelain flower based on 10 million real cases
Plant disease auto-diagnose & prevention
AI-powered plant doctor helps you diagnose plant problems in seconds.
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Scars
Any light-colored markings that appear on stems but which do not enlarge or multiply are simply scars that have healed.
Solutions: Each source of scarring requires a different approach to help your plant recover. Protect the trunk and leaves from physical damage like scrapes. If pests or disease are the cause of scarring, isolate the plant from others to avoid further spread. Some pests can be removed with organic remedies such as a soft cloth and soapy water solution or diluted isopropyl alcohol spray. Stop sunburn by moving your plant away from direct sunlight and making sure it has the water it needs. Frequent leaf or bud loss may be due to insufficient light or nutrients.
Learn More About the Scars
Brown spot
This infection can cause brown spots or patches to appear on the plant.
Solutions: In minor cases of brown spot, there isn’t any need to treat the disease. However, if much of the foliage is affected and defoliation occurs, the plant will benefit from getting rid of the infection. It is recommended to start by applying organic treatment options, working up to the more potent synthetic, chemical fungicides if necessary. Organic options won’t kill the fungus, but will prevent it from spreading. Dissolve ½ teaspoon of baking soda and one teaspoon of liquid soap in a gallon of water. Using a spray bottle, spray on tops and bottoms of leaves until the mixture drips off. Repeat every two weeks until existing spots stop enlarging and new spots no longer appear. Spray a copper-based fungicidal soap on the leaves, coating the top and bottom leaf surfaces. Reapply as directed on the product label. Copper penetrates the leaf surface and prevents germination of spores so the fungus cannot spread. Apply an all-purpose fungicide to the entire plant, following the label instructions carefully.
Learn More About the Brown spot
Waterlogging
Excessive watering will cause many of the leaves near the base of the branch to turn yellow, but the upper leaves will retain a healthy green color.
Solutions: So long as you address waterlogging problems right away, your plant should recover. First, assess the extent of the damage to determine whether it is mild or severe. If the damage is mild, you may only need to reduce your watering levels to revive the plant. Allow the top two inches of soil to dry out between waterings. If the damage is severe: Repot with fresh soil, preferably in a pot with better drainage. If necessary, move plants to places where they get adequate ventilation so the soil can dry out between waterings. Prune away all dead and yellowing leaves. This reduces the plant's water needs and lessens the stress on the roots. It also encourages it to produce new, healthier growth. You should start noticing improvements within a few weeks.
Learn More About the Waterlogging
Underwatering
Leaves may wilt for a variety of reasons.
Solutions: The easiest (and most obvious) way to address underwatering is to fully hydrate the plant. However, this must be done carefully. A common mistake that many gardeners make is to douse their underwatered plants with water. This can overwhelm the roots of the plant and shock its system, something that can be even more damaging than the lack of water to begin with. Instead, water thoroughly and slowly, taking breaks to let the water slowly saturate through the soil to get to the roots. Use room temperature water, as cold water might be too much of a shock. In the future, shorten the time between waterings. A good rule of thumb is to check the soil around each plant daily. If it’s dry to at least two inches down, it’s time to water. If a container plant is repeatedly drying out very quickly, repotting into a slower-draining container might be a good idea, too.
Learn More About the Underwatering
Scale insects
Scale insects are generally 2 to 3 mm across and can be found in a range of colors. They often cluster near leaf veins and can be scraped off with a fingernail.
Solutions: Outdoors, the weather and natural enemies of scale insects (such as lady beetles and parasitic wasps) typically keep these pests at bay. When their numbers become abundant (or when scale insects affect indoor plants), interventions are needed. Here are some options: Dip a cotton swab in 80% isopropyl alcohol and run it over the leaves and stems to remove scale Wash leaves with a mild detergent solution (this also removes honeydew) Inspect plants weekly for additional infestations Use spot treatments of insecticidal soap or horticultural oil Remove the plant if a heavy infestation cannot be eliminated – this will prevent it from spreading to other plants Take steps to control ants that may have been attracted to the insects' honeydew
Learn More About the Scale insects
Scars
Any light-colored markings that appear on stems but which do not enlarge or multiply are simply scars that have healed.
Symptom Analysis
Scars form when the plant repairs wounds. They can be the result of people or pets passing by and scraping the plant. Once the underlying issue is resolved, the plant will heal but a scar may remain.
Pests and pathogens can also cause scarring. Insects may attack the plant for a meal, resulting in extensive scarring when a few invaders turn into an infestation. Diseases such as fungus and bacteria can weaken the plant, causing brown spots, mushy areas, or blisters that lead to scars.
Scars occur on stems when a leaf or bud has been lost and the plant has healed. The harder tissue is like a scab that protects a wound.
On other occasions, scars can signal problems from environmental conditions, such as overexposure to sunlight or heat. It might surprise you to know that plants can suffer from sunburn, even desert dwellers like cactus!
Solutions
Each source of scarring requires a different approach to help your plant recover.
Protect the trunk and leaves from physical damage like scrapes.
If pests or disease are the cause of scarring, isolate the plant from others to avoid further spread. Some pests can be removed with organic remedies such as a soft cloth and soapy water solution or diluted isopropyl alcohol spray.
Stop sunburn by moving your plant away from direct sunlight and making sure it has the water it needs.
Frequent leaf or bud loss may be due to insufficient light or nutrients.
Prevention
Preventing some sources of scarring is easier than others, but all start with careful attention to your plants once you decide to bring them home.
Review specific guidelines for your plant, including soil drainage, watering, and fertilizer requirements.
Inspect plants before planting and use sterile pots and fresh potting soil or media to limit transfer of fungi or bacteria.
Once established, check your plants regularly for signs of scarring or the presence of pests, as it is better to catch problems as early as possible.
Continue reading in our app - it's better
A database of 400000+ plants unlimited guides at your fingertips...
Brown spot
This infection can cause brown spots or patches to appear on the plant.
Overview
Discolored spots on the foliage of plants are one of the most common disease problems people observe. These spots are caused by fungal and bacterial diseases, with most infections related to a fungal pathogen.
Brown spot can occurs on all houseplants, flowering ornamentals, vegetable plants, and leaves of trees, bushes, and shrubs. No plants are resistant to it, and the problem is worse in warm, wet environments. It can occur at any point in the life stage as long as leaves are present.
Small brownish spots appear on the foliage and enlarge as the disease progresses. In severe cases, the plant or tree is weakened when the lesions interrupt photosynthesis or cause defoliation.
Symptom Analysis
In most cases, brown spot only affects a small percentage of the whole plant, appearing on a small amount of the leaves. A small infection only puts minor stress on the plant. However, if left untreated and the disease progresses over numerous seasons, it will severely impact the health and productivity of the infected specimen.
Sporulation begins (reproduction of the fungal spores), and tiny spots appear on leaves.
Placement is often random and scattered as diseases are spread through raindrops.
May appear on lower leaves and the interior of the plant where humidity is higher.
Brown spots enlarge and grow large enough to touch neighboring spots to form a more prominent blotch.
Leaf margins may turn yellow.
Tiny black dots (fruiting bodies of the fungi) appear in the dead spots.
Blotches grow in size until the entire leaf is brown.
The leaf falls off the plant.
Severe Symptoms
Partial or complete premature defoliation
Reduced growth
Increased susceptibility to pests and other diseases
Disease Cause
Brown spot, or leaf spot, is a common descriptive term given to several diseases affecting the leaves of plants and trees. Around 85% of diseases exhibiting leaf spots are due to fungus or fungus-like organisms. Sometimes brown spot is caused by a bacterial infection, or insect activity with similar symptoms.
When conditions are warm and the leaf surfaces are wet, fungal spores being transported by wind or rain land on the surface and cling to it. They do not rupture the cell walls but grow in the space between the plant plasma membrane and the plant cell wall. As the spores reproduce, they release toxins and enzymes that cause necrotic spots (i.e., dead tissue) on the leaves, allowing the fungi to consume the products released when the cells degrade.
Solutions
In minor cases of brown spot, there isn’t any need to treat the disease. However, if much of the foliage is affected and defoliation occurs, the plant will benefit from getting rid of the infection. It is recommended to start by applying organic treatment options, working up to the more potent synthetic, chemical fungicides if necessary.
Organic options won’t kill the fungus, but will prevent it from spreading.
Dissolve ½ teaspoon of baking soda and one teaspoon of liquid soap in a gallon of water. Using a spray bottle, spray on tops and bottoms of leaves until the mixture drips off. Repeat every two weeks until existing spots stop enlarging and new spots no longer appear.
Spray a copper-based fungicidal soap on the leaves, coating the top and bottom leaf surfaces. Reapply as directed on the product label. Copper penetrates the leaf surface and prevents germination of spores so the fungus cannot spread.
Apply an all-purpose fungicide to the entire plant, following the label instructions carefully.
Prevention
Like many other diseases, it is easier to prevent brown spot than cure it, and this is done through cultural practices.
Clear fall leaves from the ground before winter to minimize places where fungi and bacteria can overwinter.
Maintain good air movement between plants through proper plant spacing.
Increase air circulation through the center of plants through pruning.
Thoroughly clean all pruning tools after working with diseased plants.
Never dispose of disease plant material in a compost pile.
Avoid overhead watering to keep moisture off of the foliage.
Keep plants healthy by providing adequate sunlight, water, and fertilizer.
Continue reading in our app - it's better
A database of 400000+ plants unlimited guides at your fingertips...
Waterlogging
Excessive watering will cause many of the leaves near the base of the branch to turn yellow, but the upper leaves will retain a healthy green color.
Symptom Analysis
Your plant is developing yellow leaves and seems stunted, and the soil feels perpetually wet.
These are classic signs of waterlogging, which means that too much moisture in the soil is restricting space for oxygen molecules. Waterlogging slowly suffocates plant roots, which limits the water and nutrients they can take in. Your plant will try to survive by reducing the number of leaves it supports, which leads them to yellow and wither from the roots up.
If you don’t address the cause of waterlogging, it can soon kill the entire plant.
Solutions
So long as you address waterlogging problems right away, your plant should recover.
First, assess the extent of the damage to determine whether it is mild or severe.
If the damage is mild, you may only need to reduce your watering levels to revive the plant. Allow the top two inches of soil to dry out between waterings.
If the damage is severe:
Repot with fresh soil, preferably in a pot with better drainage.
If necessary, move plants to places where they get adequate ventilation so the soil can dry out between waterings.
Prune away all dead and yellowing leaves. This reduces the plant's water needs and lessens the stress on the roots. It also encourages it to produce new, healthier growth.
You should start noticing improvements within a few weeks.
Prevention
Reduce your plant’s risk of waterlogging by monitoring your watering frequency.
Only water when the finger test indicates the soil is dry up to your second knuckle (about the top two inches)
Consider purchasing a soil water meter and watering when indicated.
Plant only in pots with good drainage
Use premium-quality potting soil for indoor plants to ensure that plant roots can access adequate amounts of nutrients and oxygen.
Address signs of waterlogging right away so you can correct it before the plant roots are compromised.
Snip off yellowing leaves as they form to prevent them from further stressing a plant.
Continue reading in our app - it's better
A database of 400000+ plants unlimited guides at your fingertips...
Underwatering
Leaves may wilt for a variety of reasons.
Overview
Underwatering plants is one of the quickest ways to kill them. This is something that most gardeners are well aware of. Unfortunately, knowing exactly how much water a plant needs can be tricky, especially considering that underwatering and overwatering present similar symptoms in plants.
Therefore, it’s important to be vigilant and attentive to each plants’ individual needs.
Symptom Analysis
As mentioned earlier, overwatering and underwatering present similar symptoms in plants. These symptoms include poor growth, wilted leaves, defoliation, and brown leaf tips or margins. Ultimately, both underwatering and overwatering can lead to the death of a plant.
The easiest way to determine whether a plant has too much water or too little is to look at the leaves. If underwatering is the culprit, the leaves will look brown and crunchy, while if it’s overwatering, they will appear yellow or a pale green in color.
When this issue first begins, there may be no noticeable symptoms at all, particularly in hardy or drought-tolerant plants. However, they will begin to wilt once they start suffering from a lack of water. The edges of the plant’s leaves will become brown or curled. Soil pulling away from the edges of the planter is a telltale sign, or a crispy, brittle stem.
Prolonged underwatering can cause a plant’s growth to become stunted. The leaves might drop and the plant can be more susceptible to pest infestations, too.
Disease Cause
Underwatering is caused by, quite simply, not watering plants often or deeply enough. There is a heightened risk of underwatering if any of these situations apply:
Extreme heat and dry weather (when growing outdoors)
Grow lights or indoor lighting that is too bright or intense for the type of plant
Using fast-draining growing media such as sand
Solutions
The easiest (and most obvious) way to address underwatering is to fully hydrate the plant. However, this must be done carefully. A common mistake that many gardeners make is to douse their underwatered plants with water. This can overwhelm the roots of the plant and shock its system, something that can be even more damaging than the lack of water to begin with.
Instead, water thoroughly and slowly, taking breaks to let the water slowly saturate through the soil to get to the roots. Use room temperature water, as cold water might be too much of a shock.
In the future, shorten the time between waterings. A good rule of thumb is to check the soil around each plant daily. If it’s dry to at least two inches down, it’s time to water. If a container plant is repeatedly drying out very quickly, repotting into a slower-draining container might be a good idea, too.
Prevention
Always check the soil before watering. If the top inch of soil feels moist, though not wet, the watering is perfect. If it’s dry, water it immediately. If it feels soggy, you avoid watering until it dries out a bit more.
Also, make sure the lighting is sufficient for the species. Plants grow faster and need more water when there is intense light or lots of heat. Being aware of these conditions and modifying them, if possible, is a good way to prevent underwatering. Many container plants are potted in soil mixtures mean to be well-draining. Adding materials that retain moisture, like compost or peat moss, can also prevent these symptoms.
Other tips to prevent underwatering include:
Choose pots with adequately-sized drainage holes
Avoid warm temperatures
Use large pots with additional soil (these take longer to dry out)
Avoid terracotta pots, which lose water quickly
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Scale insects
Scale insects are generally 2 to 3 mm across and can be found in a range of colors. They often cluster near leaf veins and can be scraped off with a fingernail.
Overview
Tiny, bumpy growths all over the stem of a plant is a classic sign of scale insects. These sucking insects bury their mouthparts into the leaves, fruit, or bark of trees, shrubs, and other plants. Over time, scale insects can severely damage their hosts.
Scale insects are not just one species of insects but instead are a large, diverse group of more than 8,000 individual species, including soft scales (brown soft scale, cottony maple scale, European elm scale) and armored scales (oystershell scale, euonymus scale, San Jose scale). These tiny pests may be between 3 to 10 mm in length and are closely related to whiteflies and aphids.
Despite the differences in size and appearance, the one thing that all scale insects have in common is that they grow beneath a wax covering. This covering looks somewhat like the scales of a fish or a reptile - hence the name. It protects the insect from harm.
Scale insects feed on a wide variety of plants but are most common on herbaceous ornamental plants (both indoor and outdoor) as well as numerous species of shrubs and trees. Scale insects are easy to overlook, in part because they are so small and also because they do not look like actual insects. However, it is important to take action as soon as they are noticed to ensure the health of the plants.
Symptom Analysis
The most obvious symptom is the presence of groups of the insects themselves, which look much like bumpy growths on plants, generally quite small (less than the size of a coin). Scale insects tend to cluster together and appear all at once.
The insects hatch from eggs inside these scales and develop through two growth stages before becoming adults. Once mature, adult females produce eggs that they hide beneath their bodies. These ultimately hatch into tiny crawlers, which are yellow to orange, and begin feeding within just a day or two. They suck sap through their needle-like mouthparts and will excrete a substance called honeydew behind them as they eat.
Since the scale insectss are subtle in appearance, symptoms in the host plants may be the first sign that is noticed. As the insects eat all the plant's nutrients, leaves will drop prematurely, and the growth of plants becomes stunted. Dead or browned leaves might remain for a long period of time on the scale-killed branches.
Sooty mold can also appear on infested plants, growing in the honeydew that the insects leave behind. It is a black fungus that is fluffy and unattractive. The sooty mold growth causes plants to yellow, since it interferes with the process of photosynthesis.
Solutions
Outdoors, the weather and natural enemies of scale insects (such as lady beetles and parasitic wasps) typically keep these pests at bay.
When their numbers become abundant (or when scale insects affect indoor plants), interventions are needed. Here are some options:
Dip a cotton swab in 80% isopropyl alcohol and run it over the leaves and stems to remove scale
Wash leaves with a mild detergent solution (this also removes honeydew)
Inspect plants weekly for additional infestations
Use spot treatments of insecticidal soap or horticultural oil
Remove the plant if a heavy infestation cannot be eliminated – this will prevent it from spreading to other plants
Take steps to control ants that may have been attracted to the insects' honeydew
Prevention
To prevent scale insects from affecting plants, take the following steps:
Carefully inspect plants before purchasing, checking every stem and leaf for signs of scale
Make traps for new insects by leaving double-sided tape near stems and branches
Ensure that plants have a good growing environment, monitoring both moisture and sunlight levels
Introduce small parasitic wasps and other predators to the garden
Rinse small plants when foliage becomes dusty
Prune weak areas of a plant to eliminate potential infestation hot spots
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Temperature
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Just like people, each plant has its own preferences. Learn about your plants' temperature needs and create a comforting environment for them to flourish. As you care for your plants, your bond with them will deepen. Trust your intuition as you learn about their temperature needs, celebrating the journey you share. Lovingly monitor the temperature around your plants and adjust their environment as needed. A thermometer can be your ally in this heartfelt endeavor. Be patient and gentle with yourself as you explore your plants' temperature needs. Cherish your successes, learn from challenges, and nurture your garden with love, creating a haven that reflects the warmth of your care.
Essentials
Porcelain flower is native to regions with moderate climates, where temperatures regularly range from 68 to 95 °F (20 to 35 ℃). It thrives in such warm, temperate conditions so owners should aim to replicate this environment, particularly during chillier seasons.
Regional wintering strategies
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