What to Do If Strelitzia Leaves Curl? Causes and Solutions
The leaves of the Strelitzia are evergreen all year round, and the overall plant has a very graceful shape, especially when it blooms, looking just like beautiful little birds, giving people a refreshing feeling, which is why it is also called the bird of paradise. Some friends have noticed during cultivation that Strelitzia leaves curl. What is going on here? Let us find out together.
1. Excessive Fertilisation
Many friends who are new to Strelitzia apply too much fertiliser because they cannot judge the amount well, which burns the roots and causes a series of poor growth symptoms. Excessive fertilisation often causes the leaves to grow listlessly, wilt, turn yellow, dry up and curl. So when fertilising we must control the amount; if you cannot judge the amount well, you can also add a small amount of fertiliser when watering, applying light fertiliser frequently. In addition, when preparing the fertiliser solution, it must be fully decomposed before use; if it is used without fermentation, it will cause root burn and bacterial infection.
2. Excessive Light
Strelitzia likes to grow in a warm and humid environment with plenty of light, but if we place it in strong direct sunlight in summer, it will grow poorly, with leaves wilting and curling in mild cases and drying up and dying in severe cases. This is because the soil and water in a pot are limited; being placed in strong direct sunlight for a long time easily causes excessive water evaporation from the leaves and thus a water shortage, and at this point the leaves are most prone to scorching and curling. So when caring for it in summer, be sure to choose a semi-shaded environment, ensuring only four hours of light per day.
3. Improper Watering
Watering itself only causes water shortage or drought; under high summer temperatures, when a potted plant has been dried out by light and evaporation, watering it immediately on the spot can also harm the plant. This is because at this time both the plant and the soil are at a high temperature; after watering, the soil cools sharply, and such a large temperature difference very easily damages the roots and also causes the leaves to curl. So watering should follow the principle of watering when dry and letting it dry between waterings; do not water immediately when it is hot, but wait until the temperature returns to normal before watering.
4. Pests and Diseases
The pest that mainly causes Strelitzia leaves to curl is the carmine spider mite; at first the leaves show small yellowish-white spots, and as it gradually worsens the leaves curl. So pests and diseases must be prevented and controlled early; you can spray with propargite or dicofol emulsifiable concentrate for control.
The above is an introduction to the causes of and solutions for curling Strelitzia leaves. We hope it helps you. To learn more related knowledge, please follow us.