Diseases and plant protection of Fatshedera, ferns, and ficus

Fatshedera hybrids are often affected by root rot caused by the pathogen v036b. It ruins the plant. This disease leads to gradual wilting and death of the plants. For effective plant protection, it is necessary to combine chemical spraying and agrotechnical control methods.

Fatsia is susceptible to root rot, which is provoked by the fungus Armillaria mellea. Root damage can be identified by the fan-shaped white mycelium under the epidermal tissues and a sharp mushroom odor. The disease develops exclusively when using compost mixed with tree bark. Control measures for this pathogen have not yet been developed.

Ferns are usually resistant to diseases but are highly sensitive to microclimate. At low humidity, necroses develop rapidly on their leaves. The fungus Botrytis cinerea often settles on damaged areas, causing grey mold of stems and leaves. Standard fungicides are effective against this pathogen.

Leaf spots on ferns can be caused by several pathogens. Spraying with dithiocarbamates or chlorothalonil is used to control them. Symptoms of infection depend on the specific pathogen:

• Asperisporium pecasii causes reddish-brown spotting. The centers of the spots gradually become lighter, they elongate and spread along the leaf blades, and spores from the pycnidia are dispersed by water droplets.

• One of the Cylindrocladium species causes similar symptoms of leaf damage.

Protecting ficus, fuchsia, and gloxinia from spots and rots

Ficus leaves often suffer from various leaf spots with the formation of necrotic zones in the center. The disease begins with diffuse chlorosis, turning into necrosis, which rarely covers the entire leaf blade. Such symptoms are characteristic of many fungi, in particular Colletotrichum elasticae. However, it has not yet been established whether this fungus is a primary pathogen or simply colonizes already damaged tissues.

On the underside of ficus leaves, one can find Cercospora leaf spot caused by Cercospora sp. The spots are initially yellowish-green, then gradually enlarge and turn brown, and in cases of severe infection, the leaves wilt. High relative humidity and elevated temperatures in the greenhouse promote the development of Cercospora. Maintaining proper temperature and humidity helps to contain the disease, and if necessary, plantings are sprayed with benomyl. Sometimes, outgrowths may also appear on the underside of ficus leaves.

When growing fuchsia cultivars in greenhouses or outdoors at the edges of flower beds, rooting cuttings often suffer from root and crown rots. They are caused by Pythium sp. and Rhizoctonia solani pathogens. In addition, any wound surfaces of plants are quickly colonized by Botrytis cinerea. This fungus causes grey mold of stems, leaves, and flowers.

Fuchsia rust, caused by the fungus Pucciniastrum epilobii, manifests as numerous brown pustules on the underside of the leaves. As a result of the disease, chlorosis develops and the affected leaves fall off. Pathogen spores are easily dispersed by wind and germinate in a warm and humid environment. Spraying with dithiocarbamates, benodanil, or oxycarboxin helps to suppress rust.

Growth retardation, wilting, premature aging, and death of gloxinias are caused by root rot pathogens Meloidogyne hapla, Pythium sp., Phytophthora sp., and Thielaviopsis basicola. One of the Pythium species, presumably P. debaryanum, affects gloxinia tubers. Wet rot develops on them, leading to the rapid death of the entire plant.

Gloxinia leaf and bud rot, caused by the fungus Rhizoctonia solani, is very rare. Botrytis cinerea often settles on damaged leaf and petiole tissues as a secondary parasite, causing grey mold. Sometimes gloxinia is also affected by powdery mildew, the pathogen of which is Oidium sp.