About hibiscus diseases
Introduction
Hibiscus is a well known plant that is used for landscape and indoor growing. There amny types of hibiscuses and they are in different forms. But, just like all other plants, the hibiscus has its own set of problems and complications. The hibiscus is prone to pests and bacteria that cause hibiscus diseases. These hibiscus diseases can be very fatal if not identified and handled on time. Knowing the different hibiscus diseases and their symptoms can be very helpful in recognizing them while their still manageable.
Types of hibiscus diseases
The following are the main and common types of hibiscus diseases.
- Botrytis: it is widely known as blight and it affects the buds making them to turn brown before dropping. It sometimes affects the foliage where the affected areas tend to have gray fuzz.
- Black spot: it is caused by a fungus that likes damp conditions. It is characterized by black and brownish spots on the leaves before they turn yellow and fall.
- Myrothecium roridum: this is a soil saprophyte that mainly attacks week plants. Its symptoms are the death of newly growing plants, failure of leaves to develop and sometimes necrotic tissue. This hibiscus disease is spread via contact of the infected plant with the clean plant, seeds, insects and use gardening tools that have not been cleaned.
- Pseudomonas Cichorii: this disease is caused by fungi and its symptoms are; the infected plant tends to turn black, dark brown and tend to have a tan discoloration, the leaves appear distorted and some other parts crack.
treatment of hibiscus diseases
The following are treatments of the above hibiscus diseases.
- Botrytis: it can be treated by the use of chemical substances like the copper hydroxide, potassium bicarbonate and the thiophanate-methyl. The application of these chemical should be accompanied by proper watering, removal of the affected areas and adequate airflow for the plant.
- Black spot: it is treated by use of copper sulfate that is recommended and believed to cure black spots. The use of copper sulfate should be backed by proper watering and pruning to encourage good air circulation.
- Myrothecium roridum: there is no chemical treatment for this disease but it can be controlled by keeping the plant healthy and well feed, allowing proper air circulation and maintaining good plant hygiene.
- Pseudomonas Cichorii: the affected parts should be removed and destroyed and overhead irrigation should be avoided.
Prevention of hibiscus diseases
The hibiscus diseases can be very fatal when they attack the hibiscus plant and therefore it is good to prevent the diseases from attacking by taking into consideration the following measures.
- Use the fertilizer that favors the hibiscus plant and be careful as there are some fertilizers that harm the hibiscus plant.
- Ensure that you water the hibiscus plant with just the enough quantity of water. Too much water and too little can have negative effects on the hibiscus plant.
- Try your best to keep the hibiscus plant pest free.
- Prune the hibiscus when need be to ensure that the plant enjoys good air circulation.
- Always pick the fallen leaves and flowers and throw them far from the hibiscus plant.
