- Distinguish between illnesses and nursing errors
- Identify leaf spot disease
- The Erwinia soft rot pathogens stink to high heaven
The dragon tree is one of the most popular indoor plants in this country due to its appearance and relatively easy care. Unfortunately, the various dragon tree species are occasionally affected by annoying diseases.
The dragon tree is not always sick when it looks dull
Distinguish between illnesses and nursing errors
When plants don't look and grow the way they should, there can be a variety of reasons. Pathogens or pests are not always the reason for falling leaves or unsightly spots on the foliage. Dragon trees are dependent on a suitable location with not too intense sunlight, the right amount of moisture and a special soil. Spots on the leaves or slack hanging leaves are often triggered by one of the following reasons:
- strong temperature fluctuations
- Sunburn from direct sunlight
- draft
- dry air from a radiator
Identify leaf spot disease
Dragon trees actually appreciate a constant, relatively high level of humidity or, alternatively, regular spraying of the leaves. In some cases, however, this intensive care can also have a negative effect and promote the spread of the so-called Fusarium leaf spot disease. This initially occurs in the center of the leaf crown of a dragon tree and is manifested by orange-brown spots and trunk rot starting from above. If an incoming dragon tree can still be saved at this point in time, it should be kept much drier on the leaves in the future. Appropriate fungicides can help control this disease.
The Erwinia soft rot pathogens stink to high heaven
The identification of the so-called soft rot is often not particularly difficult with the nose: Infested plants smell unpleasantly of fish and are usually covered with an unsightly slime on the rotting trunk parts. This disease can be partially controlled by pruning the affected stem ends or by re-rooting a cutting. In most cases, however, it makes sense to dispose of infested specimens at an early stage in order not to endanger other dragon trees or to prevent new outbreaks of the disease.
tips
Various dragon tree diseases and other problems of these plants are associated with waterlogging in the pot. This problem can be minimized by caring for dragon trees in hydroponics.