Orchid is considered the most beautiful and delicate flower. Therefore, the flower growers who decide to grow it at home need to know the main diseases that affect orchids, and the ways of their treatment.
Signs of an orchid disease:
- yellowing of the leaves;
- appearance of spots and decay on leaves;
- decay of roots;
- loss of leaf turgor;
- Withering of foliage;
- lack of growth of leaves and roots;
- falling flowers.
Non-infectious diseases of indoor orchids
These diseases include those diseases that arise in the plant as a result of improper care. The main sign is the appearance of yellow spots or yellowing of the leaves completely.
Causes:
- the plant froze;
- prolonged hypothermia;
- insufficient or excessive watering;
- lack of lighting;
- sunburn;
- overheating (steaming) of the plant.
If the area of yellowing is small, then creating the right conditions for the orchid, can cure the flower.
Viral diseases of orchids and their treatment
There are several types of viral diseases of orchids, the most common is viroz. The main vectors of infection are sucking parasites (aphids, spider mites, thrips) and dirty instruments. Spreading through the plant, the viruses cause a change in the leaf plate, discolor and stop the growth of the flower.
Infected with the virus, orchids, it is better to throw out immediately, so as not to infect other flowers. And to prevent virosis and other viral diseases, you should protect orchids from harmful insects and use only disinfected tools.
The fungal and bacterial diseases of orchids and their treatment
Fusarium or tracheomycosis
This is a fungal vascular disease, because the fungus that gets into the plant through the soil and wound, clogs the main pores, which leads to a general withering of plant tissues.
Treatment: the flower can be saved only at the initial stage of the disease, when a small part of the roots is affected. To do this, it is necessary to thoroughly wash the roots, trim the infected parts, cut them with activated charcoal, garlic solution, non-alcoholic antiseptic or cinnamon and cover with sulfur. The entire root system should be treated with fungicides and transplanted into a new pot.
Bacterial leaf spot
This is a specific phalaenopsis disease. The leaves first turn yellow, then darken, they become soft and wet sores appear on them.
Treatment: cut out the affected parts, cut the sections with activated carbon or iodine. If new spots do not appear within 10 days, the disease is defeated.
Anthracnose, powdery mildew, rust
These are common diseases of the leaves in orchids, which appear due to stagnation of water on the leaves and in the sinuses, high humidity in the room. You can determine them by first forming small, and then large spots, covered with different coatings (pink, white, yellowish, brown fluff).
Treatment: the affected areas of the leaves to remove the fungus, sprinkled with activated charcoal and processed by Skorom and Topsin-M.
Black mushrooms (black)
This disease develops on the leaves of orchids, which have become sticky due to damage by pests (aphids, mealybugs, white shields). Appearing black plaque does not allow the leaves to receive sunlight in abundance, and the flower weakens.
Treatment: to conduct treatment of black spots on the leaves with Mikosan or chemical preparations Ridomil, Topsin-M, Skor.
Rotting
These are mainly diseases of the roots of orchids, but can affect leaves and flowers.
Orchids can develop the following types of rot: root, gray, fusarium, black, brown bacterial. All of them develop as a result of improperly organized flower care: incorrect (too high or low) temperature and humidity.
Treatment:
- Adjust the appropriate temperature and humidity in the room.
- Carry out processing:
- at the root - 3 times 0.1% solution of benzalate every two weeks;
- when gray - any fungicide, but each time to change the drug;
- When Fusarium - three times a day, immerse in a 0.2% solution of foundation for 10 days.
- at black and brown bacterial - to cut off the amazed places, to cover with charcoal, to process all roots Bordeaux liquid (1%) and to transplant in a pure pot.
Noticing the orchid any signs of illness, it is better to immediately seek advice from specialists.