How to Treat Rust Spots on Fiddle-Leaf Fig Leaves? Causes of Blight Rot and Fungicide Control Methods
The fiddle-leaf fig is a common foliage plant, and many people like growing fiddle-leaf fig potted plants; it is also one of the most common indoor potted plants. The leaves of the fiddle-leaf fig are fairly large and emerald green; placing one at home not only serves as a decorative plant but also has a certain air-purifying effect. However, many flower lovers do not understand the care techniques for fiddle-leaf figs, which leads to rust spots on the leaves. So how should this situation be treated?
How to Treat Rust Spots on Fiddle-Leaf Fig Leaves (Causes and Fungicide Methods)
1. Causes:
Rust spots on fiddle-leaf figs tend to occur under conditions of higher temperature and greater humidity, especially in places such as Guangzhou, where March to June and October to November are the peak periods of occurrence. At the same time, these diseases can also overwinter along with the plant, and in the following year they will become active again and continue to harm its leaves.
2. Treatment:
1. If the damage to the leaves is relatively severe, it is recommended to simply cut the leaves off;
2. If the entire plant is relatively infected by this disease, you can first remove the diseased parts, then carry out the work of changing the pot and the soil;
3. You can also use a specialized fungicide for spraying treatment. If the condition is not severe, you can just use the fungicide for spraying treatment; if it is severe, you should also consider changing the pot and the soil;
4. After rust spots appear, be sure not to spray water on the leaves.
Control Methods for Blight Rot in Fiddle-Leaf Figs
1. Cultivation management
Strengthening cultivation management helps enhance the plant's disease resistance and makes it healthier. For the soil, it is best to choose a loose, breathable, well-draining sandy soil, provide sufficient light, and shade it appropriately in summer to avoid direct sunlight. In winter, the temperature should preferably not be lower than 10°C, to prevent frost damage that leaves hidden troubles. Do not water too much; a long-term humid environment does not bring too many benefits. Usually pay more attention to cleaning dust off the leaves; whether it is thin or thick, it should be dealt with promptly to keep the leaves dry.
2. Remove dead and diseased plants
After the plant becomes diseased, promptly move it to a place with sufficient sunlight and good ventilation. Do not sprinkle water on the leaf surface, and cut off the diseased leaves. When cutting off diseased leaves, cut off the spotted parts together with some healthy tissue, then spray some Bordeaux mixture for protection. You can also spray some diluted solutions, such as 80% zineb wettable powder at 500 times, 25% metalaxyl wettable powder at 500-800 times, etc.
3. Disinfection
After removing the dead and diseased plants, remember to disinfect. You can pour 1% copper sulfate into the soil, or you can also sprinkle some quicklime powder on it.
Why Fiddle-Leaf Figs Drop Their Leaves
Generally speaking, plants dropping leaves is not a particularly unusual thing, but what we need to think clearly about is that it is different when a fiddle-leaf fig drops its leaves. The fiddle-leaf fig is a plant that is evergreen all year round; it does not have lush flowers, so without leaves, would it not be like a chief surgeon without a scalpel? Just thinking about it feels a little scary. The reason fiddle-leaf figs drop their leaves is undoubtedly insufficient supply of yin and yang, or too few nutrients in the soil. In addition, insufficient water supply or excessive water supply can both cause fiddle-leaf figs to drop their leaves. The effects of insufficient nutrients and insufficient water supply on fiddle-leaf fig leaf drop are the same, namely making the leaves wither and turn yellow, while excessive water supply makes the leaves still look green and glossy, but they fall off easily at a touch.
When to Repot a Fiddle-Leaf Fig
1. Time
Repotting does not need to be done every year; generally we do it once every two or three years, and this operation needs to be done in spring. Only at this time does it match its growth, and repotting will be relatively successful.
2. Soil
When repotting, you need to consider the soil it needs. What it relatively likes is loose soil, and it also needs relatively strong drainage. Generally speaking, peat soil or some slightly acidic soil is feasible. In addition, we had best give it a mixture of leaf mold or potting soil and coarse sand, etc. If some basic fertilizer can be added as well, that would be even better.
3. Flower pot
Its flower pot cannot simply be chosen at random either. Generally speaking, the first thing we need to determine is its size; it cannot be too large, because if it is too large, the effect on it is not good. If the plant itself is relatively small, we choose one with a diameter between 20 and 25 for it; if it is a bit larger, then we should choose one around 30 to 35. In addition, the bottom of the flower pot needs to have holes, so that drainage will be better, and leaf discoloration caused by water accumulation will not occur.
As described above, if a fiddle-leaf fig has yellowing leaves, rust spots, and so on, rescue measures need to be taken as soon as possible. If you continue to ignore it, then it will seriously affect its appearance, and it may even wither and die. Although fiddle-leaf figs are easy to care for, they still need to be cared for correctly!