Fragrant, blooming geranium can be seen on many window sills. Despite the fact that the plant has a specific aroma that repels many insects, the plant can get sick.
This is manifested by the appearance of a variety of spots on the leaves. If you make a diagnosis in time, you can save the geranium from death. Consider the main types of diseases that affect this beautiful flower.
Features flower growth
Geranium can be called unpretentious flowerShe loves a lot of sun, heat and soil, which allows air and water to pass through. Terms and conditions are as follows:
- good watering in summer and moderate in winter;
- bright sunlight, but without direct rays;
- warm air;
- loose well-drained soil;
- moderate fertilizing with nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium fertilizers;
- slightly acid soil;
- pruning and pinching to form a bush.
Problem diagnosis
There were small bright spots
- Yellow spots, sharp with smooth edges, are on the front side of the sheet, and on the inside brown patina is rust, which often appears if the air is warm with high humidity.
- A small down on the leaves, light spots, while the plant becomes sluggish and unattractive with dark formations on the leaves - this is Botrytis, a parasite fungus. The disease appears from an excess of moisture.
- Ring pattern on pale green spots that gradually merge, the plant stops growing and developing, flower stalks do not form - this is ring spotting. The cause of this disease are nematodes living in the soil.
- Another serious infection is the appearance of the spider mite. Yellow spots appear on the leaves, they gradually begin to fall off, while the plant is as if enmeshed in a small, barely noticeable cobweb.
Brown drawings
- Brown spots appeared on the lower leaves - it is gray rot, if the plant is not treated, then over time the spots become covered with gray bloom, which densely covers first the geranium leaves, then the stem.
- If in the middle of brown spots a bright spot appeared, then it is alternarioz. The disease manifests itself as follows: the leaves turn yellow and dry up, and the plant stops picking up color. If the humidity is high, then all parts of the geranium are covered with velvet bloom.
- Red-brown spots, say that the plant is in direct sunlight, while the air temperature is much lower than optimal.
Causes of leaf blade disease
For example, yellow formations may appear on the leaflets, if the errors in the care:
- lack of moisture - the leaves begin to turn yellow around the edges;
- excessive watering - amid the lethargy of geranium, yellowness appeared;
- poor lighting - the leaves can not only turn yellow, but fall off.
Brown spots on the leaves of a flower can appear not only from diseases, for example:
- the flower grew, and the pot became cramped to it;
- the ground in the hill is poorly drained;
- constant drafts;
- lack of light and heat;
- a surplus of nitrogen supplements;
- landing on open air without preliminary processing of the soil.
In addition, there are insects such as:
- whitefly;
- aphid;
- mealybug.
They cause a variety of spots on the leaves.
How to get rid of the problem - detailed instructions
First of all, the flower is placed in quarantine so that other cultures in the apartment will not get infected. A careful examination of the roots, soil, leaves, stems will help you to make the correct diagnosis.
Rust
If your geranium has been struck by rust, then the following steps should be taken.:
- rearrange the pot with a plant in a dry and cool place;
- watering is kept to a minimum;
- diseased leaves should be cut;
- process geranium Topaz - a special drug.
It should be understood that the flower can be cured only at the initial stage of infection.
Fungus
If geranium has infected the fungus Botrytis, you will have to act as follows:
- cut off all affected areas;
- process systemic fungicides;
- reduce watering;
- loosen the soil.
Ring spots
With the defeat of this disease, the flower can not be cured.
As soon as you notice the first symptoms of ring spots, destroy the plant and the soil in which it was located.
Spider mite
To get rid of spider mites, you need to make a lot of effort. It is worth noting that this parasite is a microscopic animal, therefore it is useless to use insecticides. The action algorithm is as follows:
- Arrange a warm shower with a laundry soap - during this process 50% of the entire parasite population is destroyed.
- Rinse all that stood next to the plant, disinfect the window sill and window, wash the curtains.
- Spill the plant and pack in a plastic bag for 3 days. Mite does not tolerate high humidity.
All these actions will help only at the initial stage of the disease, if the web has entangled the whole plant, it will have to be destroyed.
Alternaria
Often a plant becomes infected with this disease through the soil.You can cure so:
- change the soil in the pot;
- process geraniums with Ridomil Gold or Skor;
- air the room daily;
- loosen the soil;
- apply an optimal moisture regime.
Insects can be removed in the following ways.:
- Wash the flower with soapy water.
- Wipe with a cotton swab moistened with alcohol solution.
- Treat with drugs.
Preventive measures
Geranium is resistant to infections, but preventive measures can help avoid problems. Observe the behavior and condition of the plant, while it is worth supporting:
- optimum soil moisture;
- comfortable temperature for the plant;
- good lighting;
- correct and timely feeding.
Despite the fact that the geranium plant is unpretentious, you need to care for it and constantly cares. If you show vigilance, you can safely avoid diseases or cure the infection at an early stage.