Pests & diseases

Leaf spot Powery mildew Fungus gnats

solutions

Pests & Diseases

• Maintain your vigilance for the more common pests plaguing indoor plants such as aphids, whitefly, mealy bug, mites and scale. Searles has a range of ‘Ready-to-Use’ trigger sprays ready for you to take aim.

• Fungus gnats are tiny black flying insects, in their adult form, buzzing about in large groups around your indoor plants. But it is their larvae which do the most damage to plants’ roots. Visit our website for simple solutions to stopping their breeding cycle. click here

• Many ailments affect plants due to nutrient imbalance or variable watering regimes. Poor plant health can also make them more suseptible to disease and insect infestations. Check out our ‘Indoor Plant Problem Solver Chart’ (next page) to correct any ailments early.

• Root rot is a fungal disease in the soil blocking the plant roots ability to access oxygen. Yellowing and wilting leaves and stems is the indicator root rot is present. The roots will be blackened and have rotted into a mushy mess.

Main cause for root rot is over-watering of the plant. Either the water is not draining properly or the pot plant is sitting in a pool water at the bottom of the cover pot.

Once root rot is present it is hard for the plant to recover. Your best chance for recovery is to remove affected areas and re-pot remaining plant into fresh potting mix with proper drainage. Water plant when the soil is dry. Outbreaks can also be controlled by repeat applications of Searles Root Rot Systemic Fungicide.

• Spots of yellow, black, or brown on leaves may be a symptom of another fungus disease, Leaf Spot. High temperatures and humidity levels encourage leaf spot. Increasing air circulation and separating house plants placed too closely together will reduce the fungus spreading. Early detection is vital. Remove affected leaves promptly and avoid watering over the leaves to reduce water Control with Searles Copper Oxychloride.

• Powdery Mildew, as the name suggests is a layer of white powder covering the leaves. If left untreated the fungus will spread to the whole plant affecting its ability to photosynthesize. Good air flow is essential in and around plants and physical removal (while wearing gloves) of all affected foliage should be swift. Greater exposure to indirect sunlight could also benefit the plant. Control powdery mildew by spraying with Searles Wettable Sulphur. Mealybug

White fly

Aphids