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Living plants are being used in great
numbers and variety in all types of indoor environments. Whereas most
indoor environments are satisfactory for the maintenance of the health of
plants for relatively long periods, problems do occasionally occur. Most
of the problems are not due to infectious diseases, caused by fungi,
bacteria, etc. The problems generally result from imbalances in the
environment or from care practices that give rise to some sort of stress.
Inability to recognize symptoms, determine the causes of stress, and
promptly initiate corrective care techniques account for failure by many
indoor gardeners to reach their plant health management goals.
Common Symptoms of Poor Plant
Health
Determining the cause of indoor
plant problems can sometimes require skilled laboratory diagnosis or site
consultations. However, most problems are relatively simple to diagnose if
one will remember that various stress producing elements of an environment
often affect the plant simultaneously. Thus, there may be several
environmental elements that are contributing to a particular stress
symptom. Detecting all of the imbalanced elements of the environment is
the key to proper diagnosis and initiation of corrective measures.
Many of the "symptoms" of
problems on indoor plants are not specific. In other words, a certain
symptom may be distinct and striking; but it may result from any number of
imbalanced environmental elements. As you attempt to improve your
diagnostic skills, do not be misled into thinking a distinct symptom
should always have a distinct or specific cause. The following diagnostic
checklist will illustrate this situation. Use it as a guide to begin
your analysis and plan for corrections.
| Symptom
| Possible Causes
|
| Brown or
scorched leaf tips
| A) Poor root health from
overwatering, excessive soil dryness (especially between waterings),
excessive fertilizer or other soluble salts in the soil.
B) Specific nutrient toxicities (such as fluoride, copper, or
boron).
C) Low humidity.
D) Pesticide or mechanical injury.
|
| Leaf spots,
blotches, blemishes, blisters, or scabby spots
| A) Intense light (sunburn)
associated with a recent move of the plant or excessive soil
dryness and wilting.
B) Chilling injury (below 50 degrees F).
C) Chemical spray injury.
D) Overwatering.
E) Fungal or bacterial infections (rare unless plants have
recently come from a field or greenhouse)
|
| Foliage
yellow-green; older leaves
| A) Insufficient fertilizer,
especially nitrogen.
B) Poor root health due to pot-bound growth, compacted soil, or
poor drainage.
C) Insufficient light.
|
| Foliage
yellow-green; newer leaves
| A) Soil pH (acidity)
imbalance.
B) Minor nutrient imbalance.
|
| Foliage
yellow-green; general
| A) Too much light.
B) Insufficient fertilization.
C) High temperatures, especially when associated with dryness.
D) Insect infestation or root rot disease.
|
| Leaf drop
| A) Poor root health from
overwatering, excessive dryness, excessive fertilizer or other
soluble salts in the soil, compacted soil or potbound roots.
B) Sudden change in light, temperature, or relative humidity.
C) Root rot disease.
|
| Wilting or
drooping of foliage
| A) Poor root health from
overwatering, excessive dryness, excessive fertilizer or other
soluble salts in the soil, compacted soil, or a poorly drained
container.
B) A toxic chemical poured into soil.
|
| Roots brown in
color, soft or rotted; roots with tissue that can easily be
"slipped off" leaving behind the stringlike center
tissues; roots massed at top or bottom of pot. Associated with one
or more of the symptoms noted above.
| A) Poor root health from
overwatering, excessive dryness, excessive fertilizer or other
soluble salts in the soil, compacted soil, or a poorly drained
container.
B) A toxic chemical poured into soil.
C) Over-or underwatering.
|
| Yellowed leaves
with tiny speckling; leaves later bronzed and drying; webbing
noted near growing points.
| A) Spider-mite infestation.
|
| Leaves covered
with a sticky substance; dark mold growing on leaves; tiny brown
or white objects seen on leaves or in crotches of branches; leaf
drop or branch dieback; leaf or growing point distortion.
| A) Scale or mealy bug
infestation.
|
Originally published as HYG-3068-96
from the Ohio State
University Extension.
Written by Nancy J. Taylor, Stephen Nameth, and Jim Chatfield.
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