What to do when the cast iron plant gets pests? Five ways to control pests and diseases and prevent yellowing and early leaf drop
Although the cast iron plant (Aspidistra elatior) has strong resistance to pests and diseases and is itself extremely adaptable, if you do not understand the correct way to grow it, it can still be troubled by many pests and diseases. What should you do if the cast iron plant gets pests? Let's take a look at the methods for controlling pests and diseases on the cast iron plant.
What to do when the cast iron plant gets pests
1. Whiteflies
Occurrence pattern: Usually occurs in spring and summer. The optimal development temperature for whiteflies is 26-28 degrees. Its adults and nymphs suck the sap from the leaves of the cast iron plant, causing the leaves to shrivel and drop early, and can even induce sooty mold, causing the plant to become weak and die.
[Control methods]: 1) Adjust the planting period, fertilizer amount, etc., to improve the environment around the cast iron plant and keep it cleaner and tidier; 2) Spray with a 40% omethoate solution diluted to 1000 times; 3) Protect the natural enemies of whiteflies, such as hemipteran insects and predatory mites.
2. Aphids
They appear on the young leaves or new buds of the cast iron plant, causing the leaves to become greasy and the leaf color to turn pale yellow. They also leave black or yellow spots on the leaves, causing the leaves to yellow and drop. They are one of the most common pests in the control of pests and diseases on the cast iron plant.
[Control methods]: 1) Sprinkle plant ash on the plant, or brush the aphids off with a brush; 2) Spray with a 40% phosmet solution diluted to 1000 times, generally once every 7-10 days, and about 3 times is usually enough to eliminate most of the aphids.
Control of pests and diseases on the cast iron plant
1. Sooty mold
Small black mold spots appear on the leaf surface and branch tips of the cast iron plant, after which the young tips are covered with a black layer of mold. There are also many types of sooty mold, so the symptoms vary slightly, but the main feature is generally a black mold layer.
[Control methods]: 1) One of the causes of sooty mold is that the plants are planted too densely and the ventilation in the environment is poor, so prevention should include timely pruning. For detailed methods, refer to the introduction in how to prune the cast iron plant; 2) When the disease occurs, spray with a 1000 times solution of 40% omethoate or a 1500 times solution of 80% dichlorvos.
2. Leaf blight
The old leaves of the cast iron plant turn yellow and brown disease spots appear. The spots begin to extend toward the base of the leaf, and finally the leaf turns grayish brown. At the same time, small black spots also appear on the underside of the leaf.
[Control methods]: 1) Add organic fertilizers such as phosphorus fertilizer and potassium fertilizer, and improve the ventilation of the environment; 2) Spray with a 70% zineb solution diluted to 600 times.
3. Gray mold
The affected leaves soften and rot, and white water-soaked markings appear on the surface, which then become gray mold spots. Water-soaked spots also appear on new young stems, and finally the leaves of the cast iron plant rot and wither. It is extremely harmful in the control of pests and diseases on the cast iron plant.
[Control methods]: 1) When diseased leaves are found, remove them in time to prevent the pathogen from harming other leaves; 2) Spray with 50% iprodione or 20% pyrimethanil mixed with water, once every 5—7 days, generally 2-3 times is enough.
Control methods for common pests and diseases of the cast iron plant
The cast iron plant (Latin scientific name: Aspidistra elatior Blume.), also known as spider's egg, with aliases large-leaf evergreen, bamboo-leaf tray, nine-dragon tray, bamboo-joint sinew-extender, etc., belongs to the Liliaceae family and the genus Aspidistra. It is a perennial evergreen herbaceous plant with rhizomes. The rhizome is nearly cylindrical, 5-10 mm in diameter, with nodes and scales. The leaves are solitary, spaced 1-3 cm apart, oblong-lanceolate, lanceolate to nearly elliptic, 21-46 cm long and 8-11 cm wide, with acuminate apex, cuneate base, more or less wrinkled-wavy margins, green on both sides, sometimes slightly with yellowish-white spots or stripes; it is mainly distributed in the southern provinces and regions of China as well as Hainan Island, Taiwan Island, China, etc. In traditional Chinese medicine, the rhizome components are used as medicine, and it is a very widely used medicinal material. It can be harvested in all four seasons, used after drying in the sun or fresh. It can invigorate the blood and dissipate stasis, and tonify deficiency and stop coughing. It helps to treat traumatic injuries, rheumatic muscle and bone pain, waist pain, lung deficiency cough, and hemoptysis. Control methods for common pests and diseases of the cast iron plant1. Leaf spot disease
The disease often occurs on the leaves. In the early stage of infection, there are small yellow spots on the leaf surface, which then gradually form round disease spots. It is likely to occur when watering and fertilizing frequently splash onto the leaf surface.
Control method: Spray with a 1000 times solution of 50% carbendazim, once every 10-15 days, and 2-3 consecutive sprays are enough.
2. Scale insects
It is likely to occur in summer when ventilation is poor.
Control method: When placed for a long time, it should be ventilated and exposed to light to reduce the incidence rate; if scale insect damage is found, apply aldicarb to the roots in time. Generally, for a flower pot with a diameter of 20 cm, apply 3-5 g of domestically produced 5% aldicarb per pot, and water promptly after burying and applying. Results can be seen after 1 week.
Control of the main pests and diseases of the cast iron plant
1．Leaf spot diseaseThe disease often occurs on the leaves. In the early stage of infection, there are small yellow spots on the leaf surface, which then gradually form round disease spots. It is likely to occur when watering and fertilizing frequently splash onto the leaf surface.
Control method: Spray with a 1000 times solution of 50% carbendazim, once every 10-15 days, and 2-3 consecutive sprays are enough.
2．Scale insectsIt is likely to occur in summer when ventilation is poor.
Control method: When placed for a long time, it should be ventilated and exposed to light to reduce the incidence rate; if scale insect damage is found, apply aldicarb to the roots in time. Generally, for a flower pot with a diameter of 20 cm, apply 3-5 g of domestically produced 5% aldicarb per pot, and water promptly after burying and applying. Results can be seen after 1 week.