Why do the leaves of spathiphyllum turn black and what to do about it?
Spathiphyllum is a common indoor flower. It is also called "female happiness", attributing mystical properties. It is believed that an unmarried young girl who grows this flower will definitely meet her betrothed. He gives a married couple well-being, promotes the birth of children. Therefore, when spathiphyllum gets sick, the housewives get upset, they do not know how to help the pet. Let's look at the most common causes of diseases of this plant.
Symptoms
The main complaint is blackening of the leaf, which affects only the tip or extends to the entire surface. And also this disease manifests itself in the following:
- yellowing of the leaves;
- the presence of spots around the edges;
- dry tips;
- lack of flowers;
- slowdown in growth.
Anxiety symptoms can develop both immediately and with prolonged residence in the house. A few weeks after buying a new plant, it must be transplanted. This is due to the fact that the store uses peat enriched with vitamins instead of a nutrient substrate. By replanting a flower, you can remove rotten roots, get rid of random parasites, and also create the necessary soil.
If your flower begins to ache after a long stay in your home, then it is necessary to establish why the blackening of the leaf began.
Causes
Blackening of the leaf occurs most often due to illness or due to errors in care.
Air humidity
The homeland of spathiphyllum is considered to be tropical forests, in which it settles mainly on the lower tier. High humidity and shade are familiar to him. To ensure sufficient moisture in the air, spray the flower 2 times a day with water at room temperature. If you forget about this, then place a bowl of water next to the plant.
Most often, insufficient humidity occurs during the heating season. Warm radiators dry the air in the room, which immediately affects the health of the flower.
Burning leaves by the sun
Spathiphyllum is a shade-loving plant. In bright sunlight, the tips of the leaf are burned, the plant begins to ache and slowly dies. This is especially noticeable if "female happiness" is located on the south side. Move the flower to a north-facing window and the problem will be resolved.
Incorrectly selected soil
"Women's happiness" needs a special substrate. If the soil is heavy, water will stagnate at the roots, causing them to rot. When choosing a soil for a plant, pay attention to its composition. It should contain soil, tree bark, peat, and the remains of leaves. If the store does not have a ready-made substrate, make one yourself. To do this, mix sand, peat, orchid soil and earth in equal proportions. Cover the bottom of the pot with expanded clay or stones.
Indoor temperature
If your flower begins to dry out in the fall-winter period, most likely the plant has been doused with cold air. Remove it from the windowsill, balcony, cold veranda. Excessively hot air may be injured. It usually occurs after close contact with heating devices. If you notice black leaves on a flower, move it away from hot appliances.
Pay attention to the water you use for irrigation. It should be at room temperature. If it is too cold, it will freeze the roots, wilt the leaves, and kill the plant.
Excessive watering
This is a serious problem that leads to the drying out of whole leaves. A large amount of water is detrimental to the root system. It is not allowed that there is water in the bowl under the flower all the time. After watering, it must be drained. The next time, wait until the top layer of the soil dries up, only after that it can be moistened.
Lack of water is also undesirable. When the leaves become drooping, the plant is stressed.
For better aeration of the roots and long-term preservation of moisture when transplanting spathiphyllum, pour expanded clay into the pot. Its layer should be about 2 cm.
Infection with parasites
Spathiphyllum is attacked by bacteria, fungi and pests. This most often happens if there is a diseased plant next to a flower. First of all, isolate women's happiness, only then start treating it. With a bacterial infection of the leaves, they must be cut off. The flower is treated with a solution of laundry soap. And also the use of industrial drugs "Alirin", "Gamair" is allowed.
An infusion of onion peels is used to combat parasites, which can be prepared as follows:
- take 100 g of husk, pour 500 ml of water;
- let it brew for 3-4 hours;
- then strain the infusion;
- combine it with soapy water;
- treat affected leaves for a week.
When infested with pests, spathiphyllum must be protected from other plants. Then treat the flower with anti-parasite poison. Examine other plants carefully, they should be free of insects. Adjust the temperature and humidity in the room, set up watering, then your flower can bloom again and delight you.
Rotting roots
This is one of the most common causes of dry leaves. Dealing with it is simple by following these steps:
- carefully remove the flower;
- rinse the roots under a stream of warm water;
- remove the rotten ones - they immediately differ from healthy ones in that they do not have elasticity, are soft and creep when pressed;
- to improve the root system, sprinkle healthy fibers with crushed activated carbon;
- the soil in the pot must be replaced by first pouring a layer of expanded clay into it;
- do not immediately water the plant, as there is enough water in fresh, purchased soil.
Excess or lack of fertilizer
The yellowed leaves of the flower will immediately tell you that you have overdone the application of fertilizers. If such a problem appears immediately after feeding, the plant needs to be urgently saved. It is worth adhering to the following actions:
- remove the flower from the pot;
- rinse the roots under running water;
- then plant the flower in new soil.
You should know that if the plant is in the same soil for a long time, it is depleted. To avoid drying out the spathiphyllum, repot the plant at least once every 2 years. And also you need regular fertilization of the flower with alternating organic and mineral fertilizers - 2 times a month in spring and autumn. In winter, it is best to stop feeding, and in summer it is sufficient once a month.
Important! With an excess of organic fertilizers, the spathiphyllum will stop blooming and will increase the green mass.
What to do?
The advice of professionals will help save spathiphyllum from drying out and death. First, identify the problem, then you can easily find ways to solve it.
- If your flower grows dark and dry at the ends, most likely it is not properly cared for. Check if your pet is getting enough moisture, not too rarely you water it. Excess water is also possible. If the leaves of the spathiphyllum turn black everywhere, then a transplant is necessary.
- Another reason for leaf darkening is improperly selected soil or drafts. Transplant the plant properly into suitable soil. Remove the flower from the window to protect it from cold air currents. Since “female happiness” is shade-loving, it grows beautifully in the back of the room, sitting on a special stand.
- A serious problem arises when the leaves turn black from the middle. "Women's happiness" loves warmth, moisture and sufficient watering, and these are ideal conditions for the growth of the fungus. It causes rotting of the roots, drying of the leaf, the flower stops blooming. If you suspect a fungal infection, immediately tear off the diseased leaves, then spray the entire plant with a fungicide.
It is possible to use folk methods to combat the fungus. To do this, you need to make an infusion of citrus peels according to the following recipe:
- take 150 g of orange or lemon peels, fill with water;
- let it brew for 2 hours, then strain;
- spray the plant with the resulting infusion 2-3 times a day for a week.
Prophylaxis
In order for "female happiness" to please you with its flowers, you need to take proper care of it, considering the following tips:
- abundant, but not excessive watering - watch the amount of moisture in the soil of the flower; watering is necessary if the substrate is dry by about 2 cm;
- so that the flower does not suffer from a lack of humidity in the room, spray it regularly; wipe the leaves with a damp cloth;
- place "female happiness" in places where direct sunlight does not fall on it; it is best if it is on the north or west side;
- when feeding plants, observe the dosage; fertilization should be no more than 1 time in 2 weeks;
- timely carry out preventive treatment of the bush from pests and parasites.
Spathiphyllum is a very beautiful, unpretentious flower that is successfully used in the interior of the room. Blackening of the leaves is a dangerous symptom. The cause should be immediately established and eliminated, otherwise the plant may die. With proper care, spathiphyllum will delight you with flowering all year round, and according to legends, it will also protect your family happiness.
For information on how to solve the problem of blackening of leaves in spathiphyllum, see the next video.
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