What is leaf spot disease on the money tree? Causes, prevention and treatment methods

The money tree (Pachira aquatica) is a common indoor potted plant. Even this easy-to-grow plant occasionally throws a tantrum; for example, leaf spot disease is a common disease of the money tree. Many flower lovers do not know what causes leaf spot disease on the money tree, let alone how to prevent it, and they are even more at a loss about how to treat it. Today, the editor will answer these questions for you.

Causes of leaf spot disease on the money tree

Symptoms of leaf spot disease on the money tree: In the early stage of the disease, small brown spots appear at the leaf margins or leaf tips. After expansion, they become irregularly shaped lesions, dark brown, and finally grayish-white irregular spots. In the later stage, the lesions are gray or grayish-brown, with the lesion margins showing dark brown lines, and the outer edge of the lesions may or may not have yellow discoloration. Large lesions become papery. Under humid conditions, a small number of black small dots grow on the diseased areas.

Leaf spot disease on the money tree is a fungal disease caused by a type of Phyllosticta, though it may also be a fungal disease caused by improper watering and fertilizing that leads to root rot.

Prevention and treatment methods for leaf spot disease on the money tree

1. Planting density should be appropriate to facilitate ventilation and light penetration.

2. Drain promptly after rain, and keep the greenhouse ventilated and light-transmitting so as to lower temperature and remove moisture.

3. The money tree's root system is not well developed, so watering and fertilizing should be timely to promote robust growth and improve disease resistance.

4. Provide ventilation during transport, and avoid wounds when loading and unloading and during other horticultural operations.

5. In winter, the greenhouse temperature should be kept above 16°C.

Treatment methods for leaf spot disease on the money tree

When the money tree develops leaf spot disease, spray in the early stage with 65% Iprodione wettable powder or 50% thiophanate-methyl sulfur suspension concentrate at 800 times dilution, 30% basic copper sulfate suspension concentrate at 400 times dilution, 75% Daconil wettable powder at 700 times dilution, etc., once every 7-10 days.

Brown spots on money tree leaves: be careful to distinguish leaf blight from leaf spot disease

Brown spots appearing on money tree leaves not only affect the plant's appearance but also very likely affect its growth. However, just looking at brown spots may not accurately determine what disease the money tree has. This article takes brown spots on money tree leaves as its starting point to briefly introduce two diseases of the money tree and their prevention and treatment methods.

Leaf blight and leaf spot disease are common diseases of the money tree.

I. Leaf blight

Disease symptoms

In the early stage, blackish-brown lesions form, with gray or dark brown sunscald-like symptoms inside; on older lesions, black powder can be seen.

Prevention and treatment methods

1. Remove diseased leaves promptly when found, and destroy them.

2. Strengthen maintenance and management, water and fertilize in a timely manner, and apply 2 to 3 foliar fertilizer applications per growing season, such as 0.5% potassium dihydrogen phosphate or Shuangxiao micronutrient fertilizer at 200 times dilution.

3. Prevention. When cultivating the money tree in southern regions, begin timely prevention from the start of the rainy season, spraying 50% carbendazim at 800 times dilution, or 70% chlorothalonil at 800 times dilution, or 75% thiophanate-methyl at 1500 times dilution every 10-15 days.

4. In the early stage of the disease, spray for control with 75% chlorothalonil wettable powder at 800 times dilution, or 50% thiram wettable powder at 600 times dilution, or 50% carbendazim wettable powder at 800 times dilution, or 75% thiophanate-methyl wettable powder at 1500 times dilution.

II. Leaf spot disease

Disease symptoms

This disease causes leaf scorch and is an important leaf disease. It affects growth and ornamental value. In the early stage, brown small spots appear at the leaf margins or leaf tips, and after expansion they become irregularly shaped lesions, dark brown; in the later stage, the lesions are gray or grayish-brown, with the lesion margins showing dark brown lines, and the outer edge of the lesions may or may not have yellow discoloration. Large lesions become papery. Under humid conditions, a small number of black small dots grow on the diseased areas.

Treatment methods

In the early stage of the disease, spray with New High Lipid Film + 65% Iprodione wettable powder or 50% thiophanate-methyl, sulfur suspension concentrate at 800 times dilution, 30% basic copper sulfate suspension concentrate at 400 times dilution, 75% Daconil wettable powder at 700 times dilution, etc. Once every 7-10 days.

Whether it is leaf blight or leaf spot disease, brown lesions will appear on the leaves. Therefore, when brown spots appear on money tree leaves, different diseases need to be distinguished before prevention and treatment, so that the right remedy can be applied and the disease cured.

How to deal with root rot on the money tree: rescue and treatment methods for money tree root rot

The money tree is a common potted plant for the home and office, but when improperly cared for, root rot can occur. Of course, do not panic when root rot appears on the money tree; when root rot is found, you must first analyze what caused it, and once the cause is found, it can be saved. Below is a summary of the causes of money tree root rot and rescue methods.

After the money tree develops root rot, it will also show on the bark. Observant flower lovers may notice that on the trunk of their money tree, near the roots, a sticky secretion appears, along with mold-like white fuzz; when touched lightly by hand, it feels soft, and the nearby bark will also peel off.

Money tree root rot is generally caused by water accumulation in the potting soil. When there is too much water accumulated in the pot, the roots remain in an overly wet environment for a long time, respiration is hindered, and the roots become soft and rot. There are mainly two reasons for water accumulation in the pot. One is excessive watering; the other is poor ventilation, being too humid and stuffy.

When the money tree is invaded by pests and diseases, root rot can also occur. Because the water quality is poor and the potting soil is relatively wet, pests and diseases are extremely easy to breed, gnawing at the roots and causing rot. Common pests and diseases occurring on the money tree include: powdery mildew, root rot disease, and root-knot nematodes parasitic in the soil.

When the plant's leaves turn yellow and the bark becomes soft, prune the roots promptly. Cut off the yellowed leaves, keeping only the bud eyes. Take out the woody stem; do not treat the root system first, but clean off the soil at the bottom. Use scissors to prune the root system, cutting off the rotted parts. If the rot is severe, directly cut off all the tangled root system. If the stem also begins to rot, the rotted parts need to be removed, piece by piece.

Place the treated roots and stems into a thiophanate-methyl or potassium permanganate solution and soak for 24 hours; or spray the wounds with procymidone. Then air-dry in a cool, ventilated place and replant.

When root rot disease occurs and other Pythium fungi are active, spray with propamocarb, hymexazol, metalaxyl, or phosethyl-Al; the effect generally lasts about two weeks. In addition, for insect pests of the money tree, non-fumigant nematicides such as fenamiphos, fenamiphos, Miral, and phorate can be used for insecticidal treatment.

To grow a healthy money tree, you need to provide it with an excellent soil substrate, which must have good air permeability. You can prepare a cultivation substrate with good aeration and water permeability; you can mix medical pond mud, river sand, and decomposed sawdust in a 5:3:2 ratio; or mix mountain soil and river sand in a 7:3 ratio. You can also go to a flower market to buy special horticultural nutrient soil, as well as anti-rot and anti-decay root granules.

Watering is an important part of maintenance and management. When caring for the money tree, the amount of water must be strictly controlled. When the soil is found to have turned white, water it, and water thoroughly when watering. The money tree does not need to be watered every day; at room temperature it can be watered once every five or six days, preferring dry over wet. Also, pay attention to the hygiene of the flower pot at ordinary times; if the small hole at the bottom of the pot is blocked, it should be cleared promptly.