Zamiokulkas (“dollar tree”, or “celibacy flower”) is known among flower growers for its unpretentiousness, as well as for its memorable and exotic appearance. However, often this beneficial combination is spoiled by pests and dangerous infections that reduce the decorative value of the flower. The article considers what is the main reason for the appearance of pathologies in a plant, and also describes ways to combat them.

What diseases affect the plant?

Dangerous fungal pathologies are the first problem that the grower encounters, and often they are difficult to eliminate. In the case of zamioculcas, this is no less relevant, therefore, if you find signs of a fungal disease on the flower, you should immediately begin to eliminate it, otherwise an additional infection will join the underlying disease.

Anthracnose

Fungal infection caused by microscopic ascomycetes. The disease is found everywhere, so it affects both decorative and fruit crops. The infection is high, fungal spores are actively spreading. Infection is considered one of the most dangerous, since during its development, damage to the entire aerial part of the plant is observed, which leads to the death of the latter.

Among the causes of the defeat of the "dollar tree" by anthracnosis, the most common are:

• reduced flower immunity due to other infections and diseases;
• mechanical damage to the leaves and stem;
• increased acidity of the substrate;
• combination of high temperature (+22 ... + 27 ° С) and humidity (about 90%);
• deficiency of potassium and phosphorus in the soil;
• the use of contaminated substrate, pots and equipment for care.

Did you know? Zamioculcas is known as the “celibacy flower” because of its resemblance to spathiphyllum, which is popularly associated with separation for decades. It is not difficult to identify the first signs of anthracnose - the leaves of the affected specimens are covered with dark spots of a brown shade, with a darker, brownish-brown border. Gradually, they also appear on the stem, which reduces the flow of nutrients to the cells. The hue of the border changes to violet-brown. In the summer heat, the affected leaves may crack, which causes large putrid foci.

To combat anthracnosis, spraying with highly active fungicidal preparations is used.

The most popular are:

• Bordeaux liquid;
• 1% copper sulfate;
• colloidal sulfur.

Spraying is performed twice, with an interval of 1-2 weeks. If necessary, the procedure is carried out additionally, but not more than 1 time in 14 days.

Powdery mildew

Called by a microscopic parasitic fungus from the order of erisif. Infection provokes a slow wilting of plants, which reduces their decorativeness. Damaged parts of the flower cease to grow, so they die. The most common infection is due to contaminated equipment.

A microorganism exists everywhere in nature, however, its occurrence in a flowerpot with a flower is caused due to a combination of the following conditions:

• reduced flower immunity;
• high humidity;
• sharp temperature difference;
• increased concentration of nitrogen in the substrate;
• trimming with a previously infected tool.

Read also what to do if zamioculcas does not grow or grows poorly.

To determine the defeat of powdery mildew is simple - you need to carefully examine zamioculcas. The main sign of infection is a characteristic white coating that appears on the foliage and stalk. Over time, it thickens and changes color to a deep brown color, small brown balls appear on its surface - spores of the microorganism.

To cope with the infection, the infected dollar tree is sprayed twice (with an interval of 14 days) with Topaz or Skor. It is also possible to overcome the disease with the help of folk methods.

To do this, use a 1% solution of potassium permanganate or natural infusions, the most effective of which are:

1. Milk liquid - 3 liters of serum and 1 tsp are dissolved in 7 liters of water. copper sulfate. Apply 1 time per week until the infection disappears completely.
2. Onion broth - 100 g of onion husks are poured with 5 liters of water, the mixture is insisted for 2 days, after which they are used to irrigate the affected parts of the flower. Use 1 time per week, until the destruction of the fungus.

Sooty (black) fungi

Sooty fungi are called strains of parasitic microorganisms from the genus Aspergillus. The main source of the disease is soil with plant debris. However, the infection enters the flowerpot with zamioculcas by means of insects, including parasites. They carry fungal spores and secrete viscous substances that allow them to grow on the surface of the flower.

The appearance of sooty fungi also provoke:

• thickening of the windowsill;
• high humidity combined with heat;
• poor ventilation of the room;
• low immunity of the flower.

It is not easy to identify sooty fungi, the defeat of the plant by the microorganism is blurred, the symptoms of which are similar to many diseases. However, small black or dark gray spots are considered a clear sign of infection. Over time, they combine, creating large foci. If no remedial measures were taken during this period, the flower will be completely covered with a black film, the leaves will fall off and the stem will dry out.

To cope with the infection, the resulting plaque is removed with moist cotton soaked in a saturated soda solution. The most affected leaves are removed, since it is impossible to cure them. After the flower is sprayed with any copper-based fungicide. The most commonly used drugs are Ditan, Strobi, Horus or Skor. The procedure is carried out 2 times with an interval of 2 weeks, but if necessary, it is extended.

We advise you to read how to choose and cultivate soil for Zamioculcus.

You can replace drugs with folk remedies - it is popular to use a mixture of 1 liter of water, 5 g of copper sulfate and 150 g of crushed soap. The flower is treated with this mixture once a week, until the traces of infection disappear completely.

Rot

Rot is one of the most common infectious diseases. Pathology is manifested by foci of decay on the stem, leaves and roots. It appears suddenly and after a few weeks can lead to the complete destruction of the "dollar tree". Microscopic fungi cause the disease, which fall into a pot of contaminated water, from the soil, through inventory or air.

The causes of rot:

• excessively moist air and soil;
• low plant immunity;
• irregular top dressing.

Rot appear wet spots of gray, brown or black. They can have a perfectly rounded shape and blotchy. Almost all parts of the flower are rotten. As the disease develops, the spots grow together, forming large foci. This leads to inhibition of zamioculcas and slow withering.

They fight rot by adjusting substrate moisture and air. At the same time, powerful fungicidal agents are used, among which the drugs: “Topsin”, “Ronilan” and “Sumileks” can be called particularly effective. The fungicides are treated 2 times, with a frequency of 14 days.

Important! Parasitic infections of plants are not dangerous for humans and domestic animals, therefore, their treatment does not require moving to quarantine. A measure is necessary when other plants are grown on the windowsill to prevent their infection.

Pests that infect a plant

Insects are no less dangerous than fungi. Their parasitism reduces the decorative value of plants, and also negatively affects immunity. In this regard, additional damage by bacterial, viral infections and fungi is often observed.

Mealybug

Powdery mealybug is a collective name for small sucking insects from the family semi-rigid winged, ranging in size from 0.3–0.5 to 3–6 mm. They got their name due to the characteristic white viscous coating covering the body of the parasite. Almost the entire life cycle of the insect passes on the surface of plants, which serve as a food base for it. Juice from stems and foliage actively feeds both larvae and adults.

The body of the worms is elongated, oval in shape, the upper part is covered with scaly formations of a whitish color. The species is characterized by sexual demorphism, which means that individuals are divided into female and male forms.

The number of legs of the worm is not a constant number, depending on the subspecies, they may be absent or there may be several. The insect is characterized by increased fecundity; a sexually mature female is capable of producing up to 4 generations of offspring per year. The oral apparatus of a sucking pest, there are small antennae near the oral cavity.

A pest appears instantly, often it provokes:

• increase in air temperature up to + 25 ° С and more;
• high atmospheric humidity;
• excess moisture in the soil.

You will be interested to read why Zamioculcas is called the “celibacy flower.”

It is possible to determine the damage of the "dollar tree" by insects, thanks to the following symptoms:

• foci of white, powdery plaque appear on the leaves and stem;
• sticky spots appear throughout the plant - the waste products of the parasite;
• green mass acquires small brown marks - bite marks;
• the flower slowly fades, turgor of leaf mass decreases.

To overcome the parasite, a diseased plant must be thoroughly treated with an antococidal effect insecticide. The most commonly used drugs are Actellic, Calypso and Fitoverm.

Before the procedure, the entire green mass is thoroughly cleaned with a moist cotton pad soaked in soapy water. Depending on the activity of reproduction of the parasite, zamioculcas is treated from 1 to 3 times, with an interval of 10 days. A soap-alcohol solution can be used as a less toxic alternative. Prepare it from 1 liter of water, 2 g of soap and 10 ml of denatured alcohol.

Thrips

Thrips include small insects with three pairs of legs. On each of them there are special suction cups or claws with which they cling to the plant. The body of the parasite is elongated, about 3 mm long. The color of the insect is diverse, there are species of green, brown, black and red shades. The belly of thrips is divided into several segments, on the back in adults there is a pair of wings, in larvae they are absent.

Thrips are an omnivorous species, in search of food they are able to parasitize on almost any plant. However, often the parasite has a certain specialization in relation to the food supply, therefore this or that type of thrips can be found on a narrow circle of plants. The insect is capable of parasitizing for a long time without causing external manifestations, therefore it is not possible to detect it even for several years.

Did you know? Thrips is characterized by social behavior. On each affected plant, a separate family arises in which insects are divided into groups (working insects, guards).

The main reason for the appearance of the insect can be called the creation of a favorable microclimate for its development and reproduction. Most often they occur in dry and hot summers with a temperature of at least + 25 ° C, as well as with excessively intense heating in winter. Also, the use of infected soil or equipment provokes the appearance of an insect.

With mass development, thrips provoke characteristic signs of damage:

• a sticky transparent mass appears - insect secretions;
• small spots appear on the green mass, which increase with time;
• plant growth is inhibited, as well as the growth of green mass;
• spontaneous foci of infectious lesions occur as a result of reduced immunity.

You can cope with an insect with the help of active industrial insecticides (Actellik, Vermitek, Fitoverm). After the first treatment, almost all insects die, however, the drugs are powerless against the eggs of the parasite. In this regard, the procedure is repeated at least 3-4 times, with an interval of 7-10 days.

You can also get rid of thrips with the help of folk infusions, for example, tobacco dust. For its preparation, 100 g of tobacco dust is poured into 1 liter of warm water. The mixture is insisted for a day, after which it is filtered and used to spray the green mass. The procedure is carried out once a week, until the parasite disappears.

Read also how to properly transplant Zamioculcas at home.

Ticks

The so-called spider mite lives on the planet everywhere, so it is considered one of the most common parasites. It is a small insect, about 0.5 mm long. Larvae are often of a bright pink hue; the color of adults varies in green, brown and dark red hues. Young individuals have 3 pairs of legs, adults - 4. The insect multiplies rapidly, the full development of the embryo takes less than 15 days.

The source of infection is often air, due to which the parasite migrates from infected plants from the environment. Also, the parasite often falls on the windowsill with new plants or in the process of transplanting zamioculcas into the infected soil. However, its development requires a special microclimate. Eggs are activated only in dry and hot conditions, with a temperature of at least + 25 ° C.

The main danger of the tick is that it manifests itself several months after infection.

It can be detected only during mass reproduction, at this time:

• a flower throws off foliage;
• shoots slowly fade, their tip dries out;
• growth of green mass is inhibited;
• the back of the leaves is covered with small bright dots;
• a light cobwebbed coating appears on the bottom of the leaves.

You can remove the insect from the flowerpot using the “Actellik” and “Aktara” preparations. Working solutions spray the plant twice, after 14 days. Before spraying, the flower must be thoroughly cleaned of the remains of the web. To do this, use a wet cotton swab or a cotton swab.

Alternative drugs can replace drugs. As an alternative, use an infusion of dandelion leaves. Prepare it from 500 g of plant leaves and 10 l of hot water. The mixture is insisted for 2-3 days, and then filtered. Also effective is a decoction of alder leaves: 2 kg of leaves are mixed with 10 liters of warm water, and then the mixture is insisted for about a day. Boil the infusion, and then stand another day and filter. Use folk remedies 1 time in 7-14 days.

It will be useful for you to understand the basic rules of watering Zamioculcas at home.

Shields

Scabies are among the most dangerous pests of the family Equine. They tend to parasitize almost all cultivated plants, and especially decorative species. Scaffolds are small, a mature individual does not exceed 3 mm in length. The body shape of the insect is rounded, covered with a powerful wax shield. There are many thin legs on the body with which the parasite actively moves.

Young individuals are characterized by active movement along the surface of plants. Adult females lead an attached lifestyle. A dense carapace forms on their body, protecting the body from damage. Males always lead a mobile life, a pair of wings helps them in this additionally.

There are many reasons for the appearance of the parasite on domestic plants, but scabies most often arise due to combinations of several favorable factors. First of all, this is a high temperature and dryness, as well as low immunity of the plant.

It is not difficult to detect the first signs of the development of scale insects:

• the affected plant begins to lag behind in growth, slowly fade;
• small rounded plaques of green or brown color, often located along the veins, appear on the green mass;
• leaves become sticky due to the special secret of insects.

It is difficult to get rid of shields - a powerful shell of females perfectly protects their body, as well as offspring from insecticides. The first measure for treating a flower is its removal of plaques. To do this, use a cotton swab or a cotton swab dipped in soapy water. Important! Each new plant in the house must be treated prophylactically with insecticides and fungicides.

The purified zamioculcas should then be treated with an insecticide (Actellic, Bankol, and Mospilan). The procedure is carried out 2 times, with an interval of 2 weeks. Window glass, windowsill and all objects in contact with the flower should also be processed. They can carry on their surface larvae or eggs of insects.

Problems with Zamioculcus Leaves

Sometimes the main reason for the decrease in the decorative value of zamioculcas is errors in its content, which leads to external manifestations (yellowness, dryness). Such conditions are no less dangerous, since they often provoke severe consequences.

Turn yellow

The most striking manifestation of the physiological changes of the plant is considered to be yellowness of green mass. It arises for a number of adverse reasons leading to the breakdown of chlorophylls and further wilting of the leaves. Often this indicates non-compliance with the irrigation regime. In this case, pale yellow leaves and dark spots appear on the petioles, which indicates an overflow. It provokes damage to the root system with purulent foci.

Learn more about why the leaves of Zamioculcus turn yellow.

Also, the foliage may turn yellow due to an unbalanced temperature regime, in which case the spots acquire a characteristic "ragged" outline. Возникают такие патологии зачастую вследствие солнечных ожогов, но также могут появляться и при переохлаждении цветка зимой.

Видео: Желтеют листья у замиокулькаса, что делать

Вянут

В большинстве случаев вянут листки вследствие естественного старения. В это время клетки перестают делиться, что приводит к постепенной гибели листовой пластинки. Однако, такие листки выявить просто, так как они появляются только в нижнем ярусе растения. Поражение молодых листков говорит о серьёзных проблемах в уходе, вызываемые нарушением полива.

Высыхание листков часто провоцируется недостаточным поливом, при этом также наблюдается и угнетение роста цветка. Гнилостные пятна, сопровождающиеся увяданием, говорят о переливе вазона либо переохлаждении корней холодной водой. В таком случае часто наблюдается и гниение корневой системы.

Stains

Пятнистость растения можно разделить на несколько групп, в зависимости от их окраса.

Выделяют пятна:

• тёмно-бурые — первое свидетельство неправильного полива (перелива) цветка. Появляются они вслед за гнилостными поражениями корневой системы как ответная реакция на нарушение поглощающей способности корней;
• коричневые, кляксовидной формы — появляются как ответная реакция клеток на переохлаждение, в таком случае они замедляют метаболизм и медленно гибнут;
• крупные чёрные пятна на черешке — свидетельствует о том, что часть корней цветка погибла вследствие переувлажнения почвы.

Did you know? В китайской культуре замиокулькас является официальным символом Нового Года. Без него не проводят ни одно праздничное мероприятие.

Липкие пятна на листьях

Липкая нехарактерная жидкость на зелёной массе возникает из-за поражения цветка вредителями. Это вещество является продуктом жизнедеятельности насекомых и накапливается только в случае массового развития паразитов. Вещество опасно, в его составе содержится множество побочных веществ, которые становятся лучшей питательной средой для развития грибков. В таком случае при несвоевременном выявлении грибково-паразитарная инвазия может загубить замиокулькас всего за 15–20 суток.

Root problems

Поражение корневой системы — главная причина проблем у всех растений, поэтому такие изменения оставлять без внимания нельзя. Даже без внешнего проявления, они провоцируют множество патологических процессов, которые без своевременного купирования могут привести к резкой гибели растения.

Сохнут

Если корневая система «долларового дерева» начинает сохнуть и увядать — это главное доказательство скудного увлажнения вазона. Возникает патология редко, так как луковичная корневая система вида способна накапливать влагу и использовать её во время неблагоприятных условий. Устранить проблему не тяжело, достаточно отрегулировать систему полива. Субстрат нужно поливать регулярно, однако, почва при этом должна хорошо просыхать. Читайте также, как в домашних условиях правильно пересаживать замиокулькас.

Гниют

Гниение провоцирует перенасыщение субстрата влагой. Проблема возникает часто, так как лишь немногие цветоводы кропотливо изучают все требования к уходу за растением. Чтобы спасти замиокулькас, его нужно пересадить в новый субстрат, при этом поражённые части корней нужно удалить. Перед посадкой корни обрабатывают раствором «Фитоспорина» либо 2% марганцовкой.

Также гниение провоцирует и непригодный для роста цветка субстрат. Для пересадки часто используют питательный чернозём, торфяные смеси и прочее, однако для цветка пригодна только супесчаная почва с низкой влагоёмкостью. Только в таком случае можно добиться мгновенного вывода вредной влаги.

Чернеют

Если почернение корней не сопровождается прочими проявлениями, а режим полива цветка соблюдается, в таком случае явление не имеет патологического характера. Таким процессам подвержены все корни, что говорит об их взрослении. Кроме того, об этом также говорит и появление на верхушке почерневших корней светлых, растущих кончиков. Советуем почитать, как сажать замиокулькас и ухаживать за ним.

Пятна на корнях

Пятнистость на корневой массе возникает в случае несоблюдения требований растения к поливу. Кроме перенасыщения грунта влагой, такая реакция часто наблюдается при использовании холодной воды, что провоцирует переохлаждение корней и гибель их клеток. Чтобы спасти «долларовое дерево», достаточно заменить холодную воду на подогретую до окружающей среды и хорошо отстоянную. При этом, для быстрого улучшения состояние цветка и нормализации почвенного микроклимата, на 2 недели кратность полива сокращают вдвое.

Preventative measures

Заболевания и вредители комнатных цветов — не редкость, поэтому бороться с ними нужно основательно, ещё до первых признаков поражения цветка. Это позволит избавиться от лишних проблем, а также ухудшения декоративности любимого цветка. Для этого растение периодически необходимо обрабатывать инсектицидными и фунгицидными препаратами. Проводят такие процедуры каждые 2 месяца либо не менее 2 раз в год, в конце и начале активного вегетационного периода.

Часто опасные инфекции попадают вследствие искусственного заноса. Чтобы его избежать, почву при пересадке обязательно стерилизуют, данной процедуре также подвергают и весь инвентарь.

Important! При увеличении домашнего цветника, все новые растения отправляют на двухнедельный карантин, так как потенциально большинство из них являются переносчиками опасных заболеваний.

Кроме того, защитить «долларовое дерево» от болезней помогут следующие меры:

• строгое соблюдение режима полива;
• регулярные подкормки, в летнее время их проводят при каждом поливе, зимой и осенью — через раз;
• 1 раз в месяц цветку обязательно нужно создать тёплый душ;
• вид лучше растёт в тесных горшках, большие ёмкости часто угнетают на его стойкости против инфекций;
• растение хорошо переносит яркое освещение, но лучше ему обеспечить мягкий и рассеянный свет.

Частые ошибки при обработке

Ошибки при обработке растений — не редкость, однако, они вредят не менее серьёзно, чем заболевания, поэтому перед тем, как приступать к лечению цветка, нужно учитывать негативный опыт других цветоводов.

Основные ошибки при обработке растений, меры их устранения и профилактики:

Description	Remedies
Несоблюдение концентрации веществ (приводит к ожогам цветка)	Перед обработкой растений обзавестись мерными стаканами и пипетками.
Смешивание двух препаратов	Перед каждой обработкой чистить все мерные ёмкости и вспомогательный инвентарь.
Пренебрежение сроками между опрыскиваниями	Во время лечения цветка создать специальный календарь, в который вносить время обработки, количество и тип используемого препарата.
Неправильный выбор препарата	Каждое заболевание лечится узким спектром препаратов, поэтому перед опрыскиванием нужно изучить его инструкцию, а также точно определить недуг.
Ежегодное использование одних и тех же препаратов (благодаря чему их эффективность падает)	Замену препаратов проводить не реже 1 раза в год, для контроля создать специальный график применения защитных средств.
Длительное хранение растворов	Рабочие жидкости хранить не более 24 часов после приготовления, в дальнейшем их эффективность падает.

Болезни и вредители часто поражают замиокулькас, так как домашний горшок — не самое лучшее место для функционирования естественного иммунитета цветка. Замиокулькас нуждается в регулярном уходе, осмотре и профилактических мероприятиях.