For what reasons do ficus diseases arise, how to save a plant?

Despite the fact that ficus is an unpretentious houseplant that grows successfully at home, it is susceptible to many diseases and pests. Today there are many varieties of ficuses grown by flower growers. The most popular are rubber-bearing ficus and Benjamin's ficus. Quite often, growers in the process of growing these flowers are faced with problems caused by various diseases and harmful insects. Ficus diseases can be easily treated if the type and cause are correctly identified.

• Proper care is the best prevention
• Causes leading to diseases of the ficus
• Yellow foliage
• Falling leaves
• Symptoms of waterlogging and lack of moisture
• Other reasons
• Pests on ficuses
• Shield
• Spider mite
• Aphid
• Thrips
• Mealybug

Causes of ficus diseases

A plant of this species may be covered with pale spots or the leaf may turn yellow. Most often, this does not mean that Benjamin's ficus has picked up some kind of disease. To be convinced of this, first of all, you need to assess its location. Maybe he just lacks the sun. We must try to rearrange it to a more illuminated place.

Diseases can also occur due to insufficient watering. During this period, the leaves become dry and begin to fall off.

This flower needs to be watered often enough, otherwise it will simply die, but this does not mean at all that the plant needs to be poured. No flower can handle a lot of water.

Ficus Benjamin was bred in warm countries, so the temperature in the house should be somewhere around 23 ° C. If the air is cold or the flower gets used to standing in a draft, it will simply shed its leaves, and a very high temperature can cause the plant to turn dark brown.

If the plant does not receive enough nutrition, it will be attacked not only by diseases, but also by pests, therefore, not only regular watering should be carried out, but also mineral fertilizers should be applied. It is necessary to feed the flower at least once a month.

Why does the leaf get stained

Spots on the leaves of ficus arise due to the unscrupulous care of the grower for the plant, as well as due to the activity of the fungus and the parasites that attacked it.

Optimal conditions for growth and avoidance of Benjamin ficus diseases

Often diseases appear in ficus due to the wrong location or air temperature, therefore, in order for the flower to be comfortable, it must be placed in a place where there is good lighting and there is no draft. Often it is the draft that causes the death of the plant. For ficus Benjamin, the optimum air temperature is 15 ° C.

Water the flower in moderation. In the summer, this should be done no more than 2 times a week. In cold weather, watering is carried out every 10 days. Only under such conditions of detention can the occurrence of various ailments be avoided.

Preventive measures

The main measures for the prevention of diseases of ficuses is to follow the recommendations for care and maintain optimal microclimate parameters in the room where the plants are located. It is better if the room where the ficuses grow is dry. In addition, plants should be regularly inspected for emerging diseases and in order to detect pests.

One of the most popular indoor plants that can be grown easily at home. But sometimes, like all other plants, ficus can get sick. Ficus Benjamin diseases mainly occur due to improper care.

Ficus Benjamin pests

Proper care allows you to avoid a variety of diseases, but preventing the appearance of pests is almost impossible. The reason for their appearance can be varied. Most often they arise due to high humidity and inappropriate air temperatures. If pests appear, but the leaves become sticky, spots and even cobwebs can form. One such parasite is the mealy worm, which is evidenced by the curling and wilting of the leaves.

Often, Benjamin's ficus infects a parasite such as a tick. Because of it, the level of photosynthesis decreases, and over time, the flower may die altogether. Another pest is aphids. Because of it, the leaves turn yellow and fall off over time. These parasites of ficus Benjamin from the photo can be easily found on the Internet.

A brown spot indicates that the flower is infecting the scale insect. This parasite sucks out all the juices from the plant and leaves a sticky coating, due to which a sooty fungus can appear. In order to cope with the scabbard, it is necessary to treat the leaves with insecticidal oil and a special varnish for the plant. At home, you can use a soapy solution.

Most of the pests arise due to the fact that improper care was taken for the ficus. But there are those that appear regardless of watering and feeding, so you should check the flower daily for parasites.

Proper care is the best prevention

First of all, these plants will need competent care and the right conditions for keeping. Due to non-compliance with these requirements, as well as without taking preventive measures, ficus infects diseases and pests.

Competent and timely care will allow you to grow a beautiful and healthy indoor plant. But there are other reasons why ficus diseases appear. These can be plants growing nearby - carriers of infections, new soil for transplantation containing spores of fungal and infectious diseases. Staying a plant in the fresh air can also provoke the appearance of a disease of ficuses or an invasion of pests.

Preventive measures for ficus that need to be carried out at home:

• The newly acquired plant should be kept in quarantine for a couple of weeks. If after this time the diseases do not appear, the ficus can be placed next to other indoor plants.
• Monthly procedure for washing ficus leaves with soapy water. This is especially necessary after the flower has been outdoors in the garden or on the balcony.
• In order to disinfect the soil, a weak solution of potassium permanganate is used. Regular disinfection of pallets and pots will not be superfluous.
• For safety reasons, indoor plants need to be set at a certain distance from each other. In crowded conditions, the likelihood of their infection with infections and pests increases.

Ficus infectious diseases

The problems with the flower do not end with pests. Ficus Benjamin can easily contract infectious diseases. Their treatment is carried out using special solutions. During this period, the plant needs special care and more attention. Such ailments most often appear due to the secretion of parasites or dew.

In order to get rid of this kind of disease, it is necessary to prepare a fungicide solution. Before the ficus treatment is carried out, the affected leaves must be removed from the plant. If after the first spraying the disease does not go away, you need to repeat the treatment again.

Fungal diseases include mold and rot. If you do not carry out timely treatment, you can lose the flower, because these ailments affect not only the stem and leaves of the plant, but also the root.

Ficus is especially popular among fans of home floriculture due to its decorative, compact and unpretentious nature. However, like any plants, as a result of improper care, it can get sick or be attacked by insect pests. For the correct treatment of ficus diseases, you need to be able to recognize them in time and know how to solve problems.

Why does foliage turn yellow and fall

Many plant lovers believe that the fall of the lower leaves of the ficus is the norm. This is not entirely true. The tree grows old, and the lower leaves naturally fall off, but the trunk should not be bare. Exposing the trunk is no longer good, the composition of the soil, temperature and light conditions can affect here.

The causes of diseases of the rubber plant are mainly associated with caring for it. First, the root system of the plant can be damaged. Most likely, the wrong watering regime is to blame. Here you need to reduce watering and arrange a greenhouse regime for the plant.

If the plant has suffered as a result of improper transplantation, pour the ficus with a solution of cyclone - drop four drops per liter of water. At the same time, keep the soil moist.

The most unpleasant reason for leaf dropping is root rot. Signs - leaf fall, soft, with substance oozing from it, trunk. There is no cure, the plant must be thrown away and the place of its containment must be disinfected.

If at first you observed the growth of new leaves, and then the leaves began to blacken and fall, the reason is excessive watering. Due to excess moisture, the roots of the ficus begin to rot. Way out: water only as the upper layer of soil dries up, cover the tree with a film, observe a high temperature regime and spray under the film.

There are several reasons that the leaves of the rubber plant turn yellow. If you notice this on your plant, change the frequency of watering. Ficus actively responds to both large and small amounts of moisture.

If you suspect that the tree is lacking light, move it to a brightly lit place, but not in direct sunlight. The plant can get burned.

The size of the pot may be a possible cause of the disease. Ficus will become cramped over time. Try replanting it in a more comfortable environment.

Fungal diseases also cause yellowing of leaves. Cercospora is a fungus that spreads black spots on the leaves, then the leaf turns yellow and falls. A fungicide solution will help get rid of the fungus. Treat the plant with it and inspect the neighboring flowerpots - the fungus can spread.

Botrytis is a fungal parasite that infects leaves with yellow-rusty spots. The spots grow quickly, causing the plant to die. Examine the diseased tree, remove branches and leaves damaged by the fungus. Then treat the ficus with a fungicide.

To avoid the return of the disease, carry out a prophylactic spraying with medicine.

In order for the tree to develop correctly, check the temperature and dryness of the indoor air. Make sure that the plant is evenly lit, and that there is a sufficient amount of fertilizer.

Many tree species of ficus shed their foliage for natural reasons, for example, during the autumn-winter season. If the leaves began to fall off at an accelerated rate, then the problem was to look for in insufficient watering. The health of the ficus is also badly affected by a change in the place of its growth. In addition to the above, the deterioration of the condition of the plant, yellowing and dropping of its foliage can be affected by:

1. Excessive watering.
2. Lack of light.
3. Heat and dry air.
4. Low temperature and hypothermia of the plant.
5. Excessive sun exposure.
6. Overdrying of soil.
7. Underfilling.
8. Lack of minerals in the soil or their excess when overfeeding.
9. Pest, fungus or infection.
10. Unsuitable pot.

Major diseases and their treatment

Regarding its care, the ficus has few requirements, and all of them are easy to fulfill: sufficient lighting without direct sunlight, infrequent but regular watering, the usual temperature range for a flower that is comfortable for a flower in our climatic zone. With their regular violation, the flower feels uncomfortable, which is signaled by changes in its appearance - foliage falling, changing its color. But this condition cannot be called a disease: the ficus, when establishing proper care, quickly restores itself.

If the plant suffers for a long time, its immunity decreases and the likelihood of infection with fungal infections increases. Most of the diseases of ficuses are treatable, and their prognosis is favorable - the flower fully recovers.

The spread of pests on Benjamin's ficuses is facilitated by overcrowding of flowers and non-compliance with sanitary conditions. Insects themselves are rarely the cause of plant death. However, if the owners do not deal with them, and the pest colony has multiplied strongly, such an outcome is likely. In addition, parasite damage to the surface of weakened plantations often becomes the main provoking factor in the development of fungal diseases.

Rules for the care and cultivation of rubbery ficus

To obtain a strong, strong tree does not require large cash and labor costs, it is enough to follow the rules of care and provide the tree with optimal conditions.

Temperature

The optimum temperature ranges from + 20 to + 25 degrees in summer, and not lower than +15 degrees in winter.

Priming

Loves fertile, loose soil. Such soil can be made by yourself by mixing sod soil, coarse river sand and humus in equal proportions, or by adding sand and humus to the purchased soil mixture. The tree loves replanting as the roots grow quickly and require more space. Therefore, annually in spring or early summer, it is transplanted into a larger container by transshipment.

Top dressing is carried out from the beginning of spring to mid-autumn, 2 times a month, alternating liquid organic and mineral fertilizers.

Lighting

When growing indoor ficus, it is necessary to provide it with full-fledged lighting: bright, but diffused and sometimes shaded light will be ideal. Due to the lack of light, the lower foliage turns yellow and falls off. In winter, with insufficient illumination, the number of irrigations is reduced and the temperature in the room is lowered, preferably up to +17 +18 degrees.

From cold drafts, dark brown spots may appear on the leaves of the ficus; it cannot withstand hypothermia.

Watering

It needs constant but moderate. After watering, you need to wait for the soil to dry by 1-2 cm.It also responds well to spraying with water at room temperature, not lower than 15 degrees, especially in the cold season with constant battery operation.

The tree, as it gets dirty, is wiped with a damp sponge from the outside and inside.

Pruning

The plant requires moderate pruning for crown formation. As it grows, the lower leaves fall off and a bare trunk remains. Pruning is carried out at the end of winter and not only the crown is cut off, but also 4-6 internodes in the upper part of the tree.

Insect pests and control measures

Rarely, pests of the ficus Benjamin can be found at the very beginning of the capture of the plant due to their small size. Usually the consequences of the "work" of a large colony of parasites are already visible. Therefore, an important measure to prevent their attacks is a careful regular inspection of flowers.

The appearance of sticky leaves on Benjamin's ficus, their yellowing and deformation are evidence of the presence of aphids. A sticky white coating that looks like flour is food for a sooty fungus, the development of which almost always leads to the death of the entire bush.

Aphid infestation occurs in the air - with streams of wind, drafts. Opponents of chemical preparations are fighting it with repeated treatment with soapy water, radical florists - with purchased special insecticides. If aphids appear on Benjamin's ficus, you need to inspect all other bushes: the pest quickly captures new territories.

Shield

The main sign of its appearance is like "swollen" spots on the leaves of brown color. You need to inspect the back of them and the entire stem. The scabbard on Benjamin's ficus sucks out the sap of the flower, leaving behind a sticky bloom. It is also an opportunity for the development of a black fungus.

The insect more often affects flowers, in the pallets of which water accumulates, as well as thickened plantings.

To combat the parasite, wash the bush with soapy water with further processing with actellik three times a day.

Spider mite

The pest "betrays" its presence by the appearance of brown and gray spots on the leaf plates. In some places, a thin, barely noticeable cobweb appears. Leaves affected by insects dry out and fall off. Too dry, warm air is the main causative factor for their appearance.

They fight the spider mite on Benjamin's ficus by washing, wiping the leaves with a solution of laundry soap and maintaining a sufficient level of humidity in the room.

Thrips

Controlling these small insects is difficult and requires quarantining the infested flowers. Like spider mites, thrips "love" high air temperature and dryness. Insects suck out the juices of their plant, taking away its strength.

To destroy pests, special preparations are used - Aktar, Fufanon, Aktellik and others. However, only superficial treatment may not be effective, since the main thrips colony "hides" in the soil - it is necessary to transplant Benjamin's ficus into a new soil (preferably in a new clean pot - pretreated with boiling water) with the obligatory treatment of the roots with chemicals.

Nematodes

These microscopic worms are leaf, root and stem. They develop in a humid and cool environment. Leaves affected by the leaf nematode do not develop, become covered with necrotic dry spots and wither. Unfortunately, the affected plants have to be thrown away, since chemicals that destroy nematodes are not used at home due to their high toxicity. The pot and even the place where the infected plant stood is disinfected.

Prevention of nematode infestation consists in the mandatory processing of garden soil before using it - calcining or steaming.

Scorms

This close relative of the scale insects is a sucking parasite.If you do not control the spread of mealybugs on Benjamin's ficus, the plant may die.

The insect is large enough - about 5 mm in length, it is not difficult to notice it. The first sign of its presence on a flower is massive foliage. A close inspection of the plant can reveal not only the worms themselves, covered with a white bloom, but also their cocoons and the presence of sticky white juice.

First, all parasites are manually removed by wiping the leaves with clean water or soapy water (it is convenient to use a cotton pad for manipulation). The affected parts of the plant are removed. The mealybug knows how to hide. To detect all pests, the flower is placed briefly in a warm place with high humidity.

After the initial treatment, the bush is sprayed with insecticides several times weekly or special sticks and granules are used, which are placed in the soil - the substances that make up their composition are absorbed by the plant through the root system.

The Benjamin ficus diseases cited in the article are rare and only where the plant is not properly cared for. Fulfilling the simple requirements of an unpretentious flower is the best prevention of any problems associated with its cultivation. However, if infection with a fungal disease or insect pests has occurred, measures must be taken immediately to save the plant and prevent infection of its neighbors.

Ficus is quite resistant to pests and diseases, but it so happens that it is frozen or dries up. The main symptom of a plant disease is falling leaves or the appearance of plaque and spots on them. Knowing how to deal with a problem requires understanding the cause.

Pests on ficuses

In addition to leaf diseases, rubber ficus or Benjamin's ficus, as well as other varieties of the Mulberry family, suffer from pests.

The most inveterate pests that settle on this indoor flower are scale insects, spider mites, aphids, thrips and mealybugs.

Shield

Signs that a scabbard has appeared on the ficus are reddish spots on the inside of the leaf plate. The same spot can be found on the stem of the flower. These pests feed on ficus juice, leaving a viscous bloom as a basis for the reproduction of a sooty fungus.

The leaves of infected specimens are treated with soapy water. This is followed by spraying them three times with Actellik for 20 days. Optimize your pet's grooming to keep these parasites out.

Spider mite

In addition to the scale insect, a red or yellow spider mite often appears on ficuses. Overdried air with a high temperature in the room is the optimal conditions for the appearance of these insects. The mite, like the scale insect, feeds on plant sap, damaging their surface and leaving a gray spot. These pests reproduce actively and rather quickly, enveloping the entire plant with cobwebs. With advanced forms, the ficus may die.

To kill spider mites, plants are washed with a soap-based solution. At the same time, it is necessary to provide increased air humidity in the room, which these insects do not like very much. In the fight against them, frequent spraying of flowers and periodic showers will help. After wet processing, the ficuses are recommended to be covered with polyethylene and left for 2-3 days. After this time, the plants are treated with garlic tincture. In advanced cases, their treatment is carried out with insecticides.

Aphid

Aphids are a harmful insect that quickly infects nearby growing indoor flowers, thanks to their ability to fly. Most often, the accumulation of aphids occurs on the underside of the leaves. From this, the foliage on the ficuses begins to turn yellow and curl. To destroy aphids, the leaves are sprayed with a solution of pyrethrum.

Thrips

The increased temperature and high humidity in the room are ideal conditions for the appearance of thrips. This is an insect that settles on the inside of the leaf plate in small groups. The affected leaf plates first acquire a yellowish-white color, then wither and dry out. These pests are carriers of many diseases. Therefore, timely and competent care will prevent their appearance.

Repeated treatment of ficus with Actellic insecticidal solution or pyrethrum solution will get rid of thrips. The treatment is carried out repeatedly.

Mealybug

Mealybug is another pest that sucks juice from the plant and delays its development. This insect is brown in color, enveloped in a white bloom, similar to cotton wool. Pests very quickly move to other nearby plants, using the wind or draft. You can notice their settlement in the axils of the leaves.

The plant is cleaned of insects and plaque, then sprayed repeatedly with a solution of tobacco or soap every 7 days. In this case, the ficus will need careful care. With an advanced disease, the flower is sprayed twice with Confidor at a frequency of 10 days.

Common problems

If the growing conditions are not followed, then the ficus will not look healthy. It is not necessary for the bush to be affected by insects or disease, sometimes the problem is associated with insufficient lighting. The pallor and yellowing of the leaves indicates the lack of the required amount of light. In this case, you just need to move the pot closer to the window, and in winter add artificial lighting.

The appearance of brown spots is a sign of a burn from direct sunlight.

It also happens that the fall of foliage and the appearance of blackening is the result of frostbite of the plant. You can reanimate the plant at home. The most important thing is to eliminate the source of the draft, create conditions for resuscitation. In no case should you water the flower, you need to wait for the soil to dry well. The necessary moisture is given by spraying the foliage with warm and settled water. As soon as new shoots appear, it is allowed to resume watering and use "Kornevin" - a growth activator. Orton Rost is used as a top dressing 2 times every week.

If the flower dries up or has already dried up, then you need to restore it immediately. To do this, use high-quality watering and a lot of scattered light in combination with stimulants. The root system is freed from soil and placed in water, waiting for new shoots to appear.

Care problems

To avoid any difficulties in the future, it is necessary to make a careful inspection at the time of purchase.

Look closely at leaves, twigs, and soil for pests and diseases.

The leaves should be elastic, deep green in color without visible damage or defects, and the whole plant as a whole should have a healthy appearance.

If the foliage has spots, a small rash, or any other visible imperfections - most likely, this flower is sick and can infect other indoor plants.

At first, keep the newly purchased flower separately from other plants. This is necessary in order to identify the presence of possible problems. After a month or two, if no pests and diseases appear, it can be placed near other flowers.

Diseases can prevail in the case of the following care errors:

• violation of the temperature balance;
• excess or deficiency of air humidity;
• untimely or frequent watering;
• lack or oversaturation of essential micronutrients.

Leaves turn yellow, what should I do?

Leaves can take on a characteristic yellow tint in several cases. The first reason is most often too dry air in the room. This problem often manifests itself in the summer with the onset of heat and during the heating season when heating appliances are used. In this case, the foliage gradually withers and crumbles.

Another reason for yellowing of leaves is burns caused by direct sunlight.

How to save the plant from this?

1. In the summer, the flower should not be in direct sunlight for a long time.
2. In winter, it is better to relocate it to places far from the batteries.

Use a container of water near the plant to humidify the air.

Spots on the leaves

If freckles appear on the leaves in the form of yellow or brown spots or the edges begin to acquire a sandy shade, it is most likely a consequence of waterlogged soil. These symptoms indicate excess moisture in the soil and possible decay of the root system.

Sometimes the leaves turn black at the edges. This is usually also caused by waterlogging of the soil, as well as low temperatures and drafts.

Should dry the soil urgently and revise the watering rules. Ficus does not tolerate stagnant water in the pan. Drafts and, in general, any sudden change of scenery are harmful to him.

Ficus does not grow

Such an external symptom can also speak of a problem with the soil: the leaves begin to grow smaller and smaller and, ultimately, the ficus stops growing altogether. Most often this comes from soil depletion... When the moment comes that the soil has become depleted of all useful resources, the recently blossoming leaves of the ficus begin to gradually shrink in mineral components, and their predecessors turn yellow, wither and fall off.

To return the plant to normal functioning, it is necessary transplant or replace the soil. The substrate must be saturated with the necessary minerals and vitamins. The shops now sell land specially prepared for ficuses.

It will also be good to fertilize the ficus. It is best to take a complex fertilizer.

Attention! An overabundance of nutrients can also negatively affect the general condition of the room tenant, so you need to use it strictly according to the instructions.

Ficus can stop growth even if it not enough lighting.

Why does ficus shed its leaves?

The main reason for dropping foliage is dry soil or irrigation with poor-quality water. If the ficus sheds leaves from a lack of water, then its root system is also not in the best condition, because it is directly related to nutrition and water balance. In this case, you need to water it generously and subsequently monitor the quality and frequency of watering.

Ficuses of tree varieties are characterized by falling foliage of the lower part of the trunkbut this is not a disease. In general, the bush itself is never bare, but on the contrary releases more and more new leaves.

Ficus leaves can fall off in other cases. The flower is either infected with an infection or some of the pests. In such cases, treatment with special preparations is necessary.

Diseases

Benjamin ficus diseases always develop due to unfavorable growing conditions. The main reasons for this are low temperatures (below 60 ° F) and over-watering. Effective tips for maintaining a healthy plant are to use a pathogen-free planting soil and container, and a disease-free seedling. It is worth taking a closer look at common problems with ficus and how to solve them.

• Leaf fall... This is the most common problem for novice growers and is usually caused by temperature changes. Ficus loves constant conditions, therefore it is necessary to maintain the same level of heat and humidity. A change in these two factors, even within the range of 5-10 degrees, will lead to leaf fall.The only way to fix the problem is to stabilize the environment and continue to water and fertilize the flower regularly.
• Brown spots. Cercospora looks like tiny black dots on the leaves. In this case, they can turn yellow and fall off. The grower will need to remove diseased shoots and spray the plant with a specialized agent, and subsequently prevent high humidity. The use of sulfur helps, it is sold in sprays. Copper fungicides can be used at the first sign of illness to prevent its spread. Organic products will prevent spore germination.
• Anthracnose... This disease manifests itself as rusty spots on the stems and leaves. When a problem arises, diseased leaves are removed, and in the future they practice good sanitation. Collecting and disposing of all affected plant parts and providing adequate light, water and fertilizer will strengthen the plant's ability to resist fungus. Chemical treatments are rarely used because indoors they can be harmful to occupants.
• Juice oozes from the ficus. This condition is caused by the appearance of sucking pests. Mealy bugs look like small cotton bunches, and the scales look like white or black spots on the stems and body of the tree. The problem is eliminated by using horticultural oils or soap solution - 1 tablespoon of soap per 4.5 liters of water.
• The appearance of inflamed areas. Such swollen areas can form on leaves (in large veins), stems, and sometimes roots, near stem cuttings. It is caused by a bacterium. It can be destroyed by removing the affected plant parts to prevent spread. Using herbal sprays containing copper is an effective treatment for this condition.
• Black spots. Very small marks usually develop on the underside of the leaves. This is nothing more than a fungus; with a very strong infection, the foliage turns yellow and falls off over time. You can prevent further spread of the disease by removing the infected areas and spraying with a fungicide. Spotting can also be caused by an aphthous lesion. The stains may appear rusty and may ooze at times.

Treatment of diseases

Ficus diseases occur as a result of damage to various kinds of fungi. The main diseases of the species are:

• true and downy mildew;
• leaf spot;
• gray rot;
• soot fungus;
• fusarium.

One of the most dangerous fungal diseases is powdery mildew. The disease manifests itself in the form of a gray plaque on the lower or upper part of the leaf plate, or on both at once. Plaque quickly spreads to the petioles, shoots and the main stem, oppressing the plant as a whole. The leaves dry, curl and die, and the ficus becomes lethargic and eventually dies.

To eliminate the disease, it is necessary to dust the plant with sulfur powder at a temperature of + 25 ... + 27 ° C in the open air.

Downy mildew also manifests itself as a gray bloom, which occurs only on the lower part of the leaf blades. On top of the leaf, over the affected areas, colorless, transparent and oily spots appear. After a while, the affected areas turn yellow, then turn brown and die, and the plant loses its leaves.

The main measures to combat downy mildew are pruning and destruction of affected leaves, proper watering and crown formation, and ventilation of plants. As a preventive measure, you can spray the ficus with a 1% solution of Bordeaux mixture in the open air.

Leaf spot is also one of the fungal diseases. It is these microorganisms that cause spots of various shapes to appear on the leaves. The latter can be point brown or large, and brown with a light stripe.Over time, the spots enlarge and completely cover the surface of the leaves. The disease leads to the death of the green mass first, and then the entire plant. To combat spotting, diseased ficuses must be sprayed with a 0.5-1% solution of Bordeaux mixture in the open air. In addition, affected leaves and plants should be removed and destroyed in a timely manner.

In a species such as Benjamin's ficus, diseases can be provoked by high humidity due to excessive watering and lack of ventilation. As a rule, in such cases, a gray rot disease occurs, manifested by gray dust on young leaves of a ficus. In this case, the affected parts of the plant die.

The main means of combating gray rot are the removal and destruction of the affected parts of the ficus, moderate watering and airing. If the disease has just begun, you can pollinate the tree with sulfur in the open air at a temperature of + 25 ... + 27 ° C.

The soot fungus causes a black coating to appear on the tips of the shoots or on young leaves. The fungus itself does not harm ficuses, but its presence makes it difficult for air and light to flow, which oppresses the plant as a whole. Basically, the soot fungus appears on plants affected by aphids, scale insects, etc. It is advisable to fight the infection in the course of a set of measures for the destruction of pests.

To destroy the soot fungus, it is enough to wipe the leaves with a soft cloth dipped in soapy water.

With ficus disease with fusarium, the roots and root collar are damaged, which leads to yellowing of the leaves and stem. Ficuses wilt and may die. The development of the disease is facilitated by the increased humidity of the soil and air.

To combat fusarium, it is necessary to remove and destroy damaged plants or their parts, as well as regularly loosen the soil, ventilate the room and maintain a minimum level of humidity in it.

In addition to diseases, various types of ficuses are also susceptible to negative effects from insect pests.

Harmful insects

Some plants are better suited to pest control, while others need extra help. Before buying ficus, it is important to study what problems are typical for these beautiful trees.

• Mealybug. They are small, white, fluffy sucking insects that congregate in large clusters. They can appear after watering, as they crawl to the surface of the soil. They can be seen in areas of the plant where the branches meet the main stem. There are several ways to treat insects. You can spray the foliage with garden oil or treat the soil with chemicals. If you do not want to use chemicals, then spray a soapy solution. The liquid is prepared with the calculation of 1 tablespoon of soap per 4.5 liters of water.
• Centipedes. They are brown insects with a long body and many legs. If they do appear, chances are the soil was not sterilized before the tree was planted. The best way to deal with this problem is to change the soil, sterilize a new one. The pot must also be cleaned out - this is the only way to make sure the grower is free of pests.
• Shield. Like other insects, the scale insect does not tolerate high humidity and soapy treatment. It is not difficult to save a plant from it, you just need to spend a little time on processing.
• Thrips. It is an insect that is difficult to get rid of and even harder to see as it is very small. You can inspect the foliage for the appearance of small dark spots, that is, the waste that they leave on the ficus. To get rid of them, you first need to water the plant from the shower, then spray it with neem oil.
• Whiteflies... They often attack the flower. They immediately become visible by a white bloom. To prevent them, neem oil sprays should be used.Standard yellow sticky traps are also good remedies.
• Spider mites. You can get rid of them with a simple soapy solution or a strong shower.
• Aphid... When twigs and leaves curl up, it can be a sign that aphids have appeared, which, in turn, is also a carrier of bacterial diseases. They get rid of it with an alcohol solution, which needs to be wiped off the trunk and leaves.

Brief characteristics of the plant

The tree has another name - elastic (Ficus Elastica), belongs to the Mulberry family. In the 19th century, it was grown for the production of rubber. The homeland is India and the southern part of Indonesia from the islands of Sumatra and Java, where it grows into a tall tree, up to almost 30 meters, and is revered by local Buddhists as sacred, and in indoor conditions it rarely grows above 2 meters.

In its natural environment it can grow in the Mediterranean, in more northern latitudes it is grown only indoors, since it does not have resistance to low temperatures.

The most famous species found in the homes of florists include:

• Belize. They have light pink or white patterns along the edge.
• Variegata. The sheets are thin, feathery, streaks on the sheets are light ..
• Robusta. The most common species with large leathery green leaves.

It is a tree with one trunk, without side branches, but in the process of growth, branches and aerial roots appear on it, which, under the influence of warm and humid climatic conditions, reach the soil and form new trunks.

The leaves are rather large, reaching 30 cm, leathery, elongated, dark green, alternating. Very young leaves are brown.

The flowers are unimportant, inconspicuous and pollinated by insects - pollinators, but flowers do not appear at home.

On the surface of the crown or stems, sometimes you can see light specks with milky juice. If you touch open areas of the skin to them, you may experience dermatitis, allergic reactions, therefore, when working with the plant, you need to be careful and put the pot out of the reach of children and pets.

Fungal and other diseases

If the leaves start to fall in the fall, there is no reason to worry. This is completely normal. However, there is also other reasons that negatively affect the growth of the ficus.

• Root rot It is caused in two ways: poorly drained soil or too frequent watering. Either situation will cause the roots to soften and rot. It is very simple to prevent the appearance of the problem, it is enough to establish irrigation control and organize high-quality drainage.
• Phomopsis ulcer caused by cutting with a non-sterile instrument. This fungal disease enters the plant through slices. The easiest way to fight is to completely cut off the affected branch, since there are no chemicals on the market for treating this disease.
• Ficus sometimes attracts fungal pathogens that cause crown rot or stem rot... It attacks the plant from the ground line, causing the crown to rot and the leaves to turn yellow, wither and even die. High humidity contributes to the appearance of white bloom on the soil and stems. Brown spots appear, sometimes gray mold. Spraying healthy foliage with a mancozeb-based fungicide will help.

Most bacterial diseases cannot be cured, so the plant is completely destroyed. Good care can prevent infection. A simple complex of fertilizers, applied on time and in the required amount, helps revitalize the plant if it does not grow well.

For information on how to deal with Benjamin's ficus pests, see the next video.

Fungal infections

These types of diseases can be found in ficuses, which are in conditions of excessively humid air with high temperatures.

Gray bloom appears on some parts of the leaf. If shaken, dust will fly up. Ficus first darkens, then over time the leaves begin to die off.

You can cure the flower by removing all the affected leaves of the flower, and then let the soil dry out. Then stabilize watering and provide the room with regular ventilation.

A sooty fungus disease is detected by such signs as a black bloom on the outside of the leaf. Insect pests remain the predecessor of such a disease.

If the lesions are small, then you can get rid of them using a soap solution. Walk a sponge dipped in soapy water over each ficus leaf. If the lesion has caused severe damage to the leaf, it can only be removed, and try spraying the root of the plant and stems with a fungicide.

The following diseases. Such fungi lead to decay of both the roots and the stem. Gradually, the plant stops growing and after a while dies off. It is unlikely to come out, so remove it so as not to infect other plants near the infectious one.

For prophylactic purposes, resort to a moderate watering regimen, water the plant with a manganese solution of low concentration about once a month.

Powdery mildew

Powdery mildew disease, you recognize it by white spots. A similar disease is provoked by high temperatures and humidity levels.

Such diseases are treated by using a solution. Copper sulfate, soda ash are mixed. For 10 grams of soda, two grams of households. soap. These components must be diluted per liter of water. Stir 2 grams of vitriol separately, pour the resulting liquid into the original mixture. Increase the volume until you get 2 liters and spray the affected areas with it.

Rust is one of the most common diseases in both indoor plants and garden flowers. It is expressed through patches of yellow and brown on the surface of the leaves. The edges of the leaves look like burnt. He will have ulcers on him. For treatment, cleansing of the ficus from diseased areas is used and is treated using a fungicide.

Try to identify the most accurate disease of your plant by comparing the signs you found with photographs on the Internet or in this article. Then the treatment of your ficus will be most productive, and you will be able to protect your neighboring flowers from infection.

Proper care will keep any plant healthy. But sometimes even he is not able to get rid of unwanted problems that arise against the background of the diligent care of the grower. Ficus diseases arise through the fault of external factors: initially latent diseases in newly purchased plants, cuttings, when replacing the soil mixture or transplanting into open ground.

Powdery mildew

White patches that look like a fluffy coating that are easy to wear off.

Reason: from direct sunlight, insect damage, subsequently infected with fungus. Treatment: The plaque is washed off with a sponge soaked in soapy water. Severely affected leaves are removed. The plant is treated with a fungicide.

Uneven, rusty spots with a brown border along the edge of the leaf. After some time, holes form in their place. Later, the leaves completely darken and die off. Cause: Colletotrichum orbiculare fungus. Treatment: The diseased areas are cut off, the ficus is treated with a fungicide and copper oxychloride.

Cercosporosis

Small brown or black dots on the bottom of the leaf, which gradually increase in size. After a couple of days, the leaf dries up and dies. Reason: Dampness, waterlogging in the room. Defeat by a fungus of the genus Cercospora. Treatment: spraying with a fungicidal preparation.

Gray rot - with this disease, mold appears on the leaves and stems, which flies into the air after the leaf is shaken. Damaged leaves become covered with brown spots, then darken completely and fall off.The fungus of gray rot develops well in warm and humid air, so the room should be ventilated as often as possible.

To cure the ficus, the damaged fragments must be removed at the very beginning of the disease, otherwise it will not be possible to save it. Healthy parts are sprayed with fungicides. Watering at this time is reduced.

Sooty fungus - a good environment for the development of this fungus is the sticky secretions of aphids, scale insects and other insect pests. The sooty mushroom leaves a black bloom on the leaves.

Powdery mildew - with this disease, a white coating appears on the leaves in the form of flour. At the initial stages of the disease, white plaque is easily washed off, so the leaves can be wiped with soapy water. If the condition of the plant is neglected, it is very difficult to cure it - the affected leaves are removed, and healthy leaves are sprayed with fungicides several times.

Cercospora is a fungal disease that develops from Cercospora fungi in high humidity. With this disease, small brown or black dots appear on the seamy side of the leaf plate, which gradually grow. As a result, the leaves begin to turn yellow and fall off. If the disease is not stopped, the entire plant may die.

Treatment of the disease consists in removing damaged leaves and spraying with antifungal drugs.

Anthracnose is a disease in which rusty spots appear on the edges of the leaves, which turn into sores. Leaves affected by anthracnose die off; as a result, the ficus may die entirely. The treatment is similar - treatment with fungicides.

Root rot is a disease caused by waterlogging of the soil. Damaged roots are not able to provide the ficus with adequate nutrition and moisture, as a result, it dies. In this case, it is impossible to save the plant; it is thrown away with the pot.

In order to prevent root decay, you need to water the ficus sparingly, as the soil dries, using clean water. As a preventive measure, ficus can be watered once a month with a slightly pink solution of potassium permanganate, and a little charcoal can be added to the soil mixture during planting and transplanting.

Varieties of ficus with photos and their pests

In total, there are more than 1000 varieties of ficus in nature. For growing plants in indoor conditions, there are common types, there are about 30 of them.

Although indoor ficus is not a whimsical plant, it still requires certain care, requirements and attention.

Due to improper care, like many indoor plants, the ficus can be exposed to diseases and pests.

The most common and well-known types of ficus that are grown indoors are:

1. Ficus Benjamin has thin and fragile stems, with a lush crown of numerous leaves. This species does not tolerate drafts and strong winds. He needs to find a specific place, avoiding direct sunlight. May have dull, faded colors under poor conditions. This type is preferred by flower growers who love bonsai.



2. Rubbery ficus or elastica has one trunk with oval-shaped leaves. Foliage colors can range from dark green to reds. An adult plant produces cuttings with aerial roots. This type of flowers is also called robusta.



3. Ficus Microcarpa has a tree-like trunk, outwardly similar to the Benjamin variety. The difference is small rounded leaves. Loves bright lighting.



4. Lyre-shaped view has glossy wrinkled leaves, with clear veins. It has a green color with small splashes. The lyre species requires optimal growing conditions. With a lack of light or moisture, the leaves curl, fall off, or spotting appears.

All varieties of indoor plants can be damaged by harmful insects.

The most common pests:

• Shield.
• Spider mite.
• Aphid.
• Thrips.
• Mealybug.

To recognize which insect has settled on a bush, you can read articles on the Internet with photos and names of infected flowers.

And also watch a detailed video on how to deal with insects.

Prophylaxis

Proper care of the bush will help minimize the risk of ficus disease. You should adhere to the watering schedule, feed with mineral components and cut off dry leaves and branches in time. Also, the plant needs to receive a daily rate of light and heat, the air in the room should not stagnate.

To protect the rubbery ficus from infection and pests, a number of rules must be followed:

• The newly acquired flower needs to be quarantined for some time. Usually the isolation period is no more than a week. It is better to keep the ficus in a separate room so that the disease is not transmitted through the air. If, after a week of quarantine, no infectious diseases have been identified, the plant can be placed next to others.
• It is advisable to inspect flowers every day. Particular attention should be paid to the lower part of the stem and the inner surface of the leaves.
• Ficus foliage should be treated with soapy water every month. Such a procedure is vital for bushes located on open balconies or growing on the street.

How to treat aphid tree?

It is recommended to immediately use industrial poisons. Ficus reacts painfully to any pests. If all the aphids cannot be destroyed at once, it will kill the tree earlier.

There are three types of chemicals:

• contact;
• intestinal;
• systemic.

It is best to use contact chemicals as they provide an immediate effect. Systemic changes the chemical composition of the plant sap, it becomes poisonous. There is a risk that the tree will begin to wilt later.

Yellow spots

Yellowing leaf edges are usually a symptom that gradually spreads to new leaves. In most cases, it is caused by prolonged underfeeding of the plant. To solve the problem and prevent further development, it is necessary to choose the right complex fertilizers, however, you should not exceed the dose to compensate for the previous error, otherwise you can do more harm.

In any case, you must follow the instructions on the package or bottle and not exceed the stated dose.

Small small red spots are a sign of the appearance of a tick, which pierces the leaf with its proboscis and feeds on the sap of the plant. The problem can be eliminated by using specialized drugs. Anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum or Glomerella causes yellow spots that darken to brown. It is very difficult to get rid of the disease, you will have to make a lot of effort. It is best to apply an insecticide treatment, but do it outdoors.

Anthracnose spreads through water. Control measures include selecting disease-resistant varieties, preventing leaves from watering or getting wet, and planting or placing ficus in areas with good air circulation. Chemical control involves the use of fungicides with mancozeb at the first sign of illness.

The main diseases that ficus is susceptible to

The most common diseases of the rubber plant include:

Cercospora

As a result of the defeat of this fungal disease, small black spots appear on the leaf plates, they turn completely yellow only with severe damage. Treatment consists in removing the affected foliage and treating it with special agents - fungicides.

Anthracnose

This fungal disease results in rusty stains. Treatment also focuses on getting rid of the affected parts and treating them with a fungicide.

Botrytis

Fungal disease, with this disease, the leaf plates begin to fade and rusty spots appear on them, increasing over time. Get rid of the disease by removing damaged leaves and spray with fungicides.

How to cure a rubber plant at home?

Usually, problems arise when the plant is at home. In this case, many growers turn to colleagues for help, posting photos with affected leaves and stems. But it is not always possible to get the right answer from other gardeners.

Typically, treatment occurs as follows:

1. Diagnostics. It is necessary to understand what happened to the ficus.
2. Localize the affected area and remove it, if necessary.
3. Treat the tree with fungicides.
4. Continue with proper care and monitor progress.

Usually fungicides do help. But in the presence of rot, more radical methods are required. The affected area is removed using a sharp knife, which must be pre-treated in an alcohol-containing solution. The cut site must be treated with activated carbon.

The base of the trunk is covered with white lumps

This is a sign of root rot. It is required to transplant the plant by removing the affected area.

It is important to act in accordance with the following steps:

1. Preparing a new pot.
2. Cleaning the plant from soil.
3. Removing damaged areas.
4. Treatment of the cut site with activated carbon.
5. Planting ficus in new soil.

Important. Sometimes the white lumps near the trunk are limestone deposits from the irrigation water. It's not scary. Then you need to wipe the barrel with a cotton swab with lemon juice.

Brown spots

Brown spots on the leaves can be caused by root rot. This is the most common cause of brown leaves, usually due to waterlogging. Too frequent watering and poor drainage cause rot that spreads from the roots to the leaves of the plant. The only way to be sure that the ficus has this disease is to check the roots. If they have brown spots, you will need to not only cut off the damaged ones, but also change the pot of soil.

One of the interesting things about root rot is that it tends to affect older leaves first. Another key symptom is a falling crown.

The defeat can start with small black dots, then grow. It is worth using a moisture meter, take moisture readings at the base of the roots. As a rule, root rot is curable, especially if you react early to the problem. Make sure you have a well-draining container, fast-draining potting soil, and that you don't water too often.

Brown spots on the leaves can appear from a bacterial infection. It is one of the most difficult problems with which it is almost impossible to fight, since effective drugs do not yet exist. A key characteristic of bacterial brown spots is that they are less black and more brown in color.

The bacterial spot attacks any part of the plant, including large leaves, young ones. If new shoots appear with slow growth, yellowing and brown spots, they must be removed immediately. Such formations have irregular edges and can occur anywhere, including at the edge of the leaf or where it meets the stem. In this case, you will need to remove the plant, since it will not be possible to cure it.

Sometimes rough, dried out spots appear on the foliage. They indicate direct sunlight, which simply burns out the greens. In this case, it is worth hanging a curtain on the window or just pulling it up so that the light is diffused.

Edema is a physiological disorder that occurs when a ficus plant consumes too much water. The disease initially appears as water-soaked buds on the undersides of leaves. Cells burst, forming brown, brownish-red, yellow or black spots with a rough cork-like texture. Milk sap flows out of the plant, causing additional dots to form as it dries.

This problem can make the plant unattractive, but rarely kills the ficus.Although the affected leaves cannot be cured, the spread of edema to new shoots can be avoided by reducing watering and allowing the flower to dry out. In this case, it will be necessary to avoid wetting the leaves during watering, increase the amount of light and improve ventilation.

It must always be remembered that ficus is not tolerant of movement and changes in the amount of light, which can lead to the fact that its leaves become covered with brown spots and then die. Dying off makes the flower vulnerable to other diseases and pests. Control is the only way to avoid the problem.

Cold damage and frostbite also make young leaves appear distorted or shriveled and brownish, while older shoots develop large brown spots. It is required to avoid such trauma to the flower, do not place it near an air conditioner or ventilation openings. Do not leave the ficus container outside if the temperature drops below 5 degrees Celsius. Ficus also responds to inconsistent watering. Too much or too little water can lead to the indicated problem. Fertilizers with a high nitrogen content should be avoided.

Falling and yellowing of foliage

Why do ficus leaves turn black?

This may be due to the following factors:

• improper watering: too abundant or insufficient. Rubbery ficus reacts sharply to excess or lack of moisture, so try to reconsider watering rates;
• lack of light. If the pot is in a dark place, try moving it to a brighter place, but not in direct sunlight. The tree should resume foliage growth. But the option of a new reset of foliage is possible due to the stress of rearranging to a new place;
• unsuitable pot. Too small or, conversely, a large pot can also cause yellowing. This problem is solved by the selection of a suitable capacity;
• diseases of the root system. Such diseases are determined by the smell from an earthen coma. If this smell is unpleasant, then the roots have begun to rot or are affected by disease.

Carefully remove all excess soil, rotting roots, dry them slightly and transplant them into a new pot.

Determine the type of disease

It is necessary to correctly identify the disease of the tree. This will allow you to correctly apply the remedy to save him:

1. Infections are the result of exposure to bacteria. They are not immediately noticeable. The first sign of the appearance of the disease is the appearance on the leaves of the ficus of dark spots, traces of rust or yellowing of the leaves. It is best to use fungicides for control. They must be applied taking into account the level of damage to the plant. In most cases, 2–3 waterings for 10 days will be sufficient.
2. Fungal infection - can be detected by the characteristic odor and the appearance of rot on the stem or on the leaves. The formation of plaque of various colors is also possible. It is necessary to fight by removing the affected area. To prevent relapse, it is worth using fungicides.

Reference. Today there are many industrial poisons that are used for pest control. It is recommended to check with the seller whether a particular poison is suitable for processing ficuses.

Diseases

A plant with a weakened immune system is more likely to be exposed to diseases caused by various fungi. The following fungal diseases can occur in ficuses:

Powdery mildew

Spots appear on the leaves with a whitish bloom, similar to fluff. Fighting the disease is easy only at the initial stage. Newly formed stains can be easily washed off with a solution of laundry soap. In more advanced cases, the affected leaves are removed, and the ficus is sprayed with fungicides.

Anthracnose

The manifestation of the disease is rust-like spots that form along the edges of the leaves. Then holes appear in place of the spots. Ficus sheds diseased leaves and, as a result, can be completely bare. The disease is also treated with fungicides.

Gray rot

Caused by mold, the spores of which fly through the air when the leaf is shaken. As the lesion develops, brown spots appear on the leaves, which grow rapidly. The leaf plate darkens completely and the leaves fall off. Often the disease occurs in a stuffy and humid room that is not ventilated. All affected leaves must be removed and the plant treated with antifungal drugs. Watering for the duration of treatment is minimized.

Cercosporosis

Often, the disease starts with excessive humidity in the room. It is caused by the special fungi Cercospora. The first symptoms can be seen on the underside of the leaves as small brown or black dots, which then increase in size. The leaves begin to turn yellow and fall off, in advanced cases, the death of the ficus is likely. It is treated by means of fungus.

Sooty mushroom

More often, the disease develops simultaneously with the attack of pests, since the fungus feeds on their secretions. Symptoms are the appearance on the leaf plates of a black bloom, similar to soot. It is difficult not to notice this disease. It is treated with special drugs.

Root rot

It is provoked by excessive watering. The disease can not always be noticed on time, since it occurs in the ground. The root system stops working normally, which causes the death of the plant. It is destroyed, the pot is also thrown away.

Other stains

Botrytis forms large rusty spots with concentric rings. Tiny, slightly raised, dark green or red formations on the underside of the leaves are the main symptoms of this disease. Corynespora spots may appear on young shoots as large reddish dots. There are several other fungal diseases that affect ficuses just as often. Fungal ulcers are crusted lesions that can encircle and kill the shoots.

The fungus Sclerotium rolfsii causes rot, white cotton mycelium with such an infection grows not only on the stems, but also on the leaves of plants and causes their death. There are no chemical agents to prevent or treat this problem. If the ficus is covered with such spots, it must be destroyed. All bacterial diseases are fatal. Agrobacterium tumefaciens causes slightly swollen patches on infected leaf veins, stems, or roots. Xanthomonas starts out as tiny water-soaked spots on foliage. They grow rapidly and may have bright yellow edges. In this case, it is possible to use bactericides.

For the proper care of ficus, see below.

Brown spots on the leaves of the ficus are a signal indicating that either one of the infections has hit the flower, or pests have attacked it. Most often, flower growers have to deal with non-infectious diseases, which were caused by the actions of the owner of the plant.

White spots

Some diseases, such as powdery mildew, cause white spots on ficuses. This fungal infection is often the result of infestation by insects, which have white scales when they live on plants. Powdery mildew can also cause symptoms such as white fungal bloom on the crown and stems, and leaf curling. It is easy to control using fungicides.

The use of funds should occur at the first sign. Insects tend to be more difficult to control. Spraying should be done with insecticides, you can get rid of most of the problems by simply increasing the humidity or with a soapy, alcohol solution, garden oils do very well. Sometimes you can see small waxy spots on the foliage, more often than not this is quite normal, so there is no reason to worry.

At first, the spots can be confused with diseases or pests, but in fact, for the ficus, the appearance of such spots is normal.Some growers have concluded that this is either the plant's way of getting rid of minerals and salts in the soil, or it attracts pollinators. The white spot goes away by itself, but if you wish, you can simply wipe it off.

Disease symptoms

Ficus turns black

The leaves are covered with small black dots and specks, mainly on the inside.

This is how the fungal infection of cercospora is manifested. Subsequently, the leaves can change color, lose turgor and fall off.

How to reanimate ficus?

To save the plant, it is necessary to remove all the affected parts and treat the plant and soil with fungicides - Fundazol, Kurzat, Oksikhom. The entire surface of the leaf is completely blackened, then it disappears.

A mistake in care is to blame - the ficus suffers from excessive watering and constant soil moisture. In this case, you should change the humidification mode, reducing it at least 2 times.

It is recommended to moisten the soil no more than twice a week.

Darkening edges indicate a burn from direct sunlight.

Another reason is that the ficus is hot. It stands close to heating devices or on a windowsill under the scorching sun.

It is enough to rearrange the plant pot to the western or eastern window and remove it from heat sources.

The appearance of various asymmetric black spots indicates improper soil or an excess of nutrients.

Reference: the optimal composition of the earth is sand, leafy soil and peat in equal amounts.

It is necessary to transplant the ficus "Benjamin" into a fresh substrate and reduce the introduction of mineral complexes.

Yellowing of leaves

Why do ficus "Benjamin" turn yellow and fall off the leaves? What to do? If the ficus "Benjamin" sheds the lower leaves and they began to turn yellow massively soon after transplanting, then the plant is under stress from a sharp change in conditions.

New soil, moving a flower, a pot larger than the previous one - these are the reasons for the development of stress in the ficus.

Discoloration of leaf blades can signal excess moisture in the soil. Frequent and too abundant watering Benjamin's ficus is completely intolerant and begins to turn yellow. In this case, you should stop watering for a couple of weeks for the flower to recover.

If the yellowing process does not stop, the ficus must be transplanted into new soil. All rotten roots are cut off, and the rest are dried.

Yellow spots of various shapes and sizes can appear from exposure to direct sunlight or from excessive intake of fertilizers.

White bloom

White specks and droplets of white wax may appear on the lamina on the inside, especially at the base.

In this case, you should not be afraid - the ficus gives off excess moisture after watering the soil or spraying.

How to save the ficus "Benjamin" if a white coating appears on the surface of the leaves? This is a sign of a powdery mildew attack. Fungal disease can be easily cured by the timely use of fungicidal agents (Oxychoma, Rovral, Khoma, Kurzat).

Brown spots

Why did spots appear on the leaves of the ficus "Benjamin"? Uneven brown blots with yellow circles around them indicate that the leaves have received burns from the aggressive rays of the sun. The plant needs shading or moving to the western window.

Another reason is the attack of pathogenic fungi. The disease is manifested by the formation of specks and blots of brown or chestnut color.

If left untreated, the disease progresses, the spots grow and begin to merge until they cover the entire leaf, which then disappears.

Tip: the use of fungicides will help get rid of the ficus problem.

Why are ficuses sick

First of all, the wrong conditions of detention lead to wilting:

• strong changes in air temperature in the room, or its constant overestimation;
• dry air, drafts;
• insufficient or, on the contrary, too bright lighting;
• inconsistency with the irrigation regime: too frequent or, on the contrary, insufficient;
• improper mineralization;
• contaminated soil.

Having corrected these shortcomings, the ficus will quickly return to normal and will thank you with bright colors.

But some diseases are caused by more serious reasons: the ficus can attack fungal diseases and pests, the photos of which will be given below. They require more attention and time-consuming, and in some cases, the disposal of the flower.

Fungal diseases of ficus

Ficus diseases are not only non-infectious, but also fungal and viral.

The most common are:

• gray rot;
• sooty mushroom;
• cercosporosis;
• anthracnose;
• root rot.

Regardless of the problem, the leaves are stained, yellow, fall off, or turn to dust. It is very important to recognize the problem in time and start fixing it.

Gray rot

It is quite simple to define this disease, because mold can be seen on the leaves. The leaf plates are first covered with brown spots, then darken and fall off.

Given that the fungus takes root well in a humid and warm room, it is necessary to ventilate, remove the affected leaves and spray the flower with fungicidal agents.

Sooty mushroom

Usually, this type of fungus develops against the background of damage to the flower by the scabbard and aphids. At the same time, the leaves become dark and are covered with a black bloom. To fix the problem, you need to start by identifying the root cause.

Cercosporosis

Brown and black dots on the leaves may indicate cercosporiasis, which actively reproduces in high humidity. Over time, the leaf plates fall off en masse. In order to save the plant, the affected leaves should be cut off, and the flower should be sprayed with antifungal agents.

Anthracnose

It is difficult to confuse this disease with any other. It manifests itself as rusty spots, in the place of which holes appear.... It is necessary to eliminate the problem as soon as possible so that the flower does not die. You need to treat the plant with fungicides.

Root rot

Excessive watering of the flower leads to a problem, as a result of which the roots begin to rot. In this case, on the leaves, you can observe the appearance of specks of different colors, their yellowing, and then dropping.

If, when examining the roots, it turned out that there are no healthy ones, then the ficus should be thrown out. If there is, then the decayed parts are removed, and the plant is transplanted into a new flowerpot and continue to study the issue of proper watering so that such problems do not arise in the future.

Reproduction

The evergreen tropical guest reproduces in several ways.

By cuttings

After pruning, the resulting cuttings take root and grow into young ficuses. Before the planting procedure, the resulting cuttings are kept in clean water until the end of the flow of milky juice. And after that they are planted in moistened and heated soil from below.

Air roots

To obtain layering on the tree, a longitudinal incision is made from top to bottom about 0.5-0.8 cm and a match processed in Kornevin or another similar preparation is inserted into the incision. A piece of wet sphagnum is wrapped on top with a plastic wrap for a long time. After 40-70 days, the roots that have appeared will become noticeable under the film, and you need to cut off the layers and plant in a prepared container.

With proper and timely care, this is a long-lived plant that can live for half a century. Ficus is little susceptible to attack by pests and diseases, and brown or white spots on the leaves, their drying are indicators of improper care: improper watering, cold drafts, lack of lighting.

Fungal infections

Gray mold or Botrytis: appears on flowers in a warm room with high humidity.

Ficus is covered with a gray bloom in places. Dust rises when shaken upwards. The leaves begin to darken, then die off.

To eliminate the disease, remove all affected parts of the flower, allow the soil to dry out.Next, regulate watering, provide frequent ventilation.

Sooty mushroom: appears on the surface with a black bloom. The predecessor of the disease is the excretion of insect pests.

In small areas of the lesion, they are treated with soapy water, passing with a sponge for each separately. Severely affected units are removed and destroyed, and the stems, roots are sprayed with a fungicide.

Pythium, late blight, rhizoctonia: fungi provoke rotting of the roots and stem. The plant stops growing, gradually dies off. It will not be possible to save it, it must be eliminated before other flowers become infected.

For prophylaxis, moderate watering is needed, once a month, water with a weak solution of manganese.

Powdery mildew: appears as white powdery spots. High humidity and warmth provokes its appearance. For treatment, spray with a solution of copper sulfate and soda ash: dilute 10 g of soda, 2 g of laundry soap in a liter of water, stir 2 g of vitriol separately, pour the mixture into the main composition. Bring the volume to 2 liters, spray with it.

Rust (anthracosis): It is expressed by spreading yellow-brown spots, the edges of the leaves look burnt, in places bruised with ulcers. To get rid of, the plant is cleaned of the affected areas, treated with a fungicide.

Advice! To make an accurate diagnosis, it is better to compare the identified signs of ficus disease with photographs and then their treatment will be more productive, and other flowers can be protected from infection.

• Spider mite. The presence is indicated by spots of a gray or brown hue, in places a thin cobweb can be seen. The environment for development is dry and warm, this promotes rapid reproduction. Leaves damaged by it dry and fall off. To avoid damage to the ficus, the room should be kept at optimum humidity, spray the plant with water, and occasionally wipe it with a solution of laundry soap. In case of damage, an insecticide treatment is carried out.
• Aphid. The appearance of sticky plaque, yellowing and deformation of the leaves are the result of aphid parasitism. Insect secretions become a breeding ground for fungal infections, which will lead to the destruction of the flower. Treatment with soapy water and insecticides will help.

• Thrips. Small black bugs. They settle on the back of the leaves, drink plant sap. Infection manifests itself in brown, white and yellow spots. To get rid of the pest, they are treated with drugs: Aktillik, Tanrekom, Aktara.

Black spot

Black spots on the top of the ficus tree are the first sign that a fungal disease is infecting the tree. They initially appear as dark and indistinct on the upper side of the leaves. A yellow ring forms almost immediately around the outer edge. Eventually, the entire leaf turns yellow, dies and falls off the tree. The spots can spread to other trees if the disease is left untreated.

Fungicide is the best remedy for black spot outbreaks on ficus trees. Scientists and breeders recommend fungicidal treatment with chlorothalonil. It is a broad spectrum drug. Treatment frequency - spraying leaves every 7-10 days. Be sure to read the instructions for use on the bottle to know the amount and frequency recommended by the manufacturer. Shake the bottle before using the fungicide.

Chlorothalonil is toxic and should not be sprayed indoors. After that, the infected leaves are removed and destroyed to prevent the spread of spores to other trees.

Leaf diseases

The appearance of the plant will help to find out the cause. The leaves will be the first to tell about the "problems":

Yellowing

Reason: not humid enough, too warm air in the room, or excessively bright lighting. More often this happens during the heating season, or when the ficus stands on the windowsill on the south side - the sun's rays burn it, it turns yellow, begins to fade.

How to fix: remove from the heater or the sun, humidify the air, for this you can use a humidifier, or a moistened towel that is hung on the battery. Repeat the procedure as it dries. More frequent spraying of the leaves will help.

Important! You can not spray the ficus, leaving it in the sun, water and rays can provoke severe burns leading to death.

Frequent changes in location can provoke yellowing. The flower does not have time to adapt, “speaks” about its health with its appearance. It is necessary to immediately determine its place in the house, taking into account the conveniences of the owners and the newcomer himself.

Get small and fall off

There are several reasons:

• Lack of nutrients: transplanting into a new, correctly combined soil will help: peat, leafy soil, sand are mixed in equal proportions. Water after transplanting.
• Excess moisture: spots on the leaves, yellow edges and dropping will tell about this. You need to wait with the next watering, until the soil is completely dry, then continue watering in moderation. If the leaves began to fall off strongly, an immediate transplant is necessary, while the rotted roots of the plant must be removed.

It is important not to forget that rare watering will also affect the condition of the leaves - they will wrinkle and dry. If this is not corrected in time, the roots will dry out, which will be impossible to fix.

• High temperature, dry air, over-feeding:

Brown spots form on the leaves. This can be corrected by eliminating the cause.

Fall only from below

Don't worry if healthy new leaves are sprouting right away. If this does not happen, the trunk continues to bare - a transplant or additional fertilization is required.

Continue to wither away, despite the elimination of shortcomings

In this case, it was not without infection or damage by pests. Insecticidal products are needed here. But in order to choose them correctly, it is necessary to conduct a thorough analysis of the plant, to identify the pathogen.

Reasons for the appearance of dark spots on the leaves

There are many reasons for the appearance of various dark spots, and the main ones are.

Improper care

You are probably keeping him in inappropriate conditions.

Common care mistakes are:

• placement near batteries and heating devices. As a result of exposure to hot air, the foliage suffers, dries up and brownish specks appear on it;
• the use of inappropriate feedings or their excessive use. It is preferable to use fertilizers with a high nitrogen content, and feed no more than once every 15 days. Large amounts of such substances contribute to the development of many diseases and the formation of some deviations in the growth and development of the flower;
• excessive watering. When flooded, the tree reacts with the appearance of brown dark spots. In this case, the grower will be tedious to transplant the flower into a container with new soil. When transplanting, carefully check the root system and remove the spoiled rotten roots and sprinkle with activated carbon on the sections;
• exposure to drafts leads to the appearance of darkening. The tree should be placed in places protected from drafts.

If the darkening is not associated with errors in care, then the flower may be affected by diseases, such as:

• Gray rot. It is not common, but sometimes it affects some types of indoor plants, including ficus. Due to the occurrence of mold, the crown begins to fade, and then dies off. To fight, the damaged parts are removed and treated with special preparations.
• Fungal lesions are formed with improper care or an unfavorable location of the pot. To get rid of the disease, all infected parts are removed from the tree and no moisturizing spraying is carried out for some time.
• Shield or false shield.The presence of these pests leads to a slowdown in growth, brown spots appear on the leaf plates, in some places they are covered with a sticky bloom, which quickly spreads throughout the plant, therefore, the fight against the pest begins immediately after detection.
• Decay of the root system. It occurs due to the constant flooding of the roots, and it will be quite difficult to save the tree. Transplanting into another pot and removing damaged roots can help in this case.

If you find at least one speck on your evergreen indoor inhabitant, start fighting the disease immediately. Reconsider your care system, purchase a high-quality insecticide that can quickly deal with the problem. Or, for these purposes, you can use folk remedies.

Such means include a copper-soap solution or a fungicide solution. To prepare a copper-soap mixture, grate 20 grams of laundry soap and dilute it in 1 liter of clean warm water.

Dissolve 3 g of copper sulfate separately in water and then mix the resulting liquids. The solution is applied to the tree daily from the outside and inside until the dark spots disappear completely.

Ficus is one of the most beloved and popular indoor plants. It is easy to take care of the tree, it is quite unpretentious, but it looks very impressive and is suitable for any interior.

But sometimes even the most unpretentious plant can suffer from diseases or respond to changes in care. The main thing is not to leave it to chance, but to take action in time and you will be able to keep your evergreen indoor inhabitant in perfect condition.

Find out more about ficus, about the features of care and its cultivation in indoor conditions, as well as about the causes of various diseases, the appearance of dark spots on foliage and methods of treating a tree when watching a video:

No matter how well the plant breeder takes care of the ficus, it happens that spots appear on the foliage. They can be not only brown, but also white. Their appearance is not always associated with fungal or other infection; sometimes it is simply necessary to give the plant high-quality care. To know how to fix the problem, if the ficus is sick, the leaves have wilted, it is important to learn how to identify the source of the problem.

Infections and fungal infections

Proper care will keep any plant healthy. But sometimes even he is not able to get rid of unwanted problems that arise against the background of the diligent care of the grower. Ficus diseases arise through the fault of external factors: initially latent diseases in newly purchased plants, cuttings, when replacing the soil mixture or transplanting into open ground.

Ficus infections and fungal infections

Attention! Even prepared soil bought in a store does not always guarantee that bona fide manufacturers have disinfected it from the larvae of ficus pests.

The most common diseases of any species of the genus of ficus include:

How to protect ficuses from diseases

Proper care and attention is the best way to avoid disease in any indoor plant. But sometimes it happens that diseases of the ficus appear already in the first days, after its appearance. To avoid this, there are mandatory preventive measures that will save you from this fate:

• when purchasing a flower, carefully examine it for traces of parasites. The slightest manifestations of ficus leaf disease, this is a reason to abandon the purchase, or be ready to start treatment;
• even if the ficus looks perfect, it is quarantined for a week, away from other plants, after time, if no signs of the disease appear, it is installed in a permanent place;
• when placing flowers, it is important to keep the distance between them;
• rinse with soapy water from time to time;
• when transplanting, disinfect the soil, pots and pallets with a weak solution of potassium permanganate.

Compliance with these simple rules will save time, keep the home garden healthy and ready to serve its owners, delighting with its aesthetic appearance and clean indoor air.

Frequent problems

Ficuses have their own specific problems that are most common in them. Let's talk about why they arise and how to solve them.

Why do ficus leaves fall

On a healthy plant, the leaves live for 2-3 years, after which they begin to fall off. The fact that ficus sheds old leaves is a natural process that should not cause concern. Crohn in this case is quickly restored due to the growth of new leaves.