What are some common problems that young plants can face?
What are some common problems that young plants can face?
As with all plants, young ones are vulnerable to a wide range of problems. They can be damaged or weakened directly by poor environmental conditions, or they can become more susceptible to disease or insect attack.
Luckily, most of these issues are easy to fix. Let’s take a closer look at each of these problems and learn what to do when they occur.
Leaf Damage
During their early stages, young plants are very vulnerable to damage by insects. Fortunately, there are several ways to prevent these attacks.
Leaf damage can be caused by a variety of different pests, including insect larvae, mites and fungi. It’s important to identify the pest that is attacking your plant and get help quickly if necessary.
Insects that damage leaves include aphids, caterpillars and whiteflies. Aphids feed by sucking plant sap, and may cause leaves to turn yellow or die. Insects that feed on other parts of the plant include earwigs, beetles and spider mites.
Another type of insect damage that can affect young plants is leaf mines, which are transparent traces or feeding corridors that run along the veins of a leaf. These are often caused by moths (Lepidoptera), sawflies and flies (Symphyta), but are also found on some other insect groups such as cicadas, slugs and snails.
These mines are usually a single line of damage, but sometimes can be a series of lines, especially on deciduous trees. These mines can indicate a host of diseases, such as bacterial canker and fungal leaf spots.
If your plant is showing signs of these, take a sample. It’s easy to do, and it helps you to understand what’s going on.
Generally, it’s best to check each plant for damage several days in a row. This will give you an idea of whether the problem is temporary or more serious.
Once you’ve identified the problem, the next step is to find out which species of herbivore are responsible. This can be done by counting the number of areas that are damaged or showing signs of pathogens, but it’s easier if you can do a visual estimation first.
To estimate, look at the area of the damaged part of a leaf and think about how much would be lost or damaged if the herbivore did the same thing to other parts of the plant. Once you have an idea of how much was removed or damaged, you can then calculate the percentage by mentally cutting the leaf into a range of proportions and recording that number.
Leaf Yellowing
Leaf yellowing is one of the most common problems that young plants face. If your plants’ leaves are turning yellow, it could be a sign that they’re not getting the proper amount of water or nutrients they need.
The most common cause of leaf yellowing is overwatering. This happens when the soil becomes overly wet and roots can’t breathe, suffocating them and shutting down their ability to deliver the nutrients they need.
Likewise, underwatering, or drought, can also cause yellow leaves because it prevents plant roots from receiving the moisture they need.
Another reason your plant’s leaves might turn yellow is if they aren’t getting enough sunlight. This can be a problem in some indoor garden beds, and even in partial-shade varieties that don’t get enough light to photosynthesize properly.
Other causes of yellowing include pests and diseases, as well as environmental conditions that affect plant growth. These can be difficult to diagnose and treat, but you can help your plant by regularly inspecting it for signs of any problems.
Nutrient deficiencies are another possible cause of yellow leaves, particularly iron deficiency and calcium deficiency. These deficiency symptoms are usually noticeable in older leaves that have yellow patches between their veins and stay green, but they can be present in baby leaves as well.
If you suspect that your plants’ yellowing is due to nutrient deficiencies, make sure to fertilize them with trusted, premium plant foods. This will ensure that your plants receive the right amounts of key nutrients, including nitrogen, potassium and magnesium.
In addition, you should monitor your soil for pH levels and use a meter to make sure it’s the correct level for your plant’s needs. Using this tool can help you identify and correct potential deficiencies quickly.
If your plant’s leaves are turning yellow, it may be time to repot them. This will allow the roots to better absorb the nutrients and water they need, as well as give your plant a fresh environment to grow.
Leaves Falling Off
One of the most common problems that young plants can face is leaves falling off. This doesn’t necessarily mean that your plant is dead, but it can be an indication of a problem that needs to be addressed.
Often, the reason that leaves drop off is due to a change in the plant’s environment. This could be a new location, repotting, or even an abrupt change in temperature.
Jo Lambell, founder of the online plant shop Beards & Daisies, suggests that “leaves dropping can be an indicator that the plant has experienced some sort of shock or stress.” She goes on to say that it’s important to try and minimise this as much as possible by keeping the conditions in which you’re looking after your plant as consistent as possible.
In addition, she recommends reading up on the specific care requirements of your plant as this will help you keep it healthy and happy in the long run. It’s also worth remembering that different plants require different levels of water and light.
If your plant is suffering from nutrient deficiencies, its leaves will begin to turn yellow or brown. This is because these nutrients are in short supply, so they’re no longer being absorbed into the leaf tissue.
Another thing that can cause leaves to turn brown is if your plant’s root system isn’t getting enough water. This will result in the leaves drooping and turning mushy before falling off, as the plant can’t support its own weight anymore.
Alternatively, the leaves may be affected by root rot. This is a fungal disease that can spread from the roots to the leaves, causing them to fall off and eventually die.
It’s vital to get the fungus under control as soon as you see it. The best way to do this is to stop watering your plant and repot it in well-draining soil.
If the leaves are still showing signs of drooping and turning brown, you can apply a solution called ‘Root Supplement’ which will help your plant retain its water balance and prevent it from dropping leaves. This is a liquid product which is easy to apply to your plant and will be absorbed into the roots.
Root Rot
One of the most common problems that young plants can face is root rot. This isn’t always fatal to your plant, and you can usually fix it yourself.
The first step is to inspect your plant’s roots. If you see any brown tinges, the root system has probably been damaged by a fungal disease. In this case, it’s a good idea to repot the plant as soon as possible and give it new soil.
You can also use a small amount of non-flavoured cinnamon to treat the affected area. This will help prevent further infections and promote a healthy condition for the plant’s roots to thrive in.
Another way to prevent root rot is to make sure your plant’s watering and care routine is correct. This can be done by checking your plant’s specific requirements and adjusting your watering schedule as necessary.
In addition, keep the soil free of moisture by removing excess water and letting the soil dry out thoroughly before rewatering. This will help to reduce the chances of a disease-causing fungus spreading and causing your plant to rot.
When you repot your plant, choose a well-draining potting mix suited to the type of plant you have. You should also aerate the soil if it’s particularly dense, which helps to distribute water and oxygen more evenly.
Finally, make sure you remove all of the dead roots before repotting your plant. If you notice a large amount of roots that have been destroyed, this is probably a sign that your plant has extensive root rot and won’t be able to recover.
If you catch root rot early on, it can often be fixed, especially if the roots are only affected by the spores and not the entire roots. However, if the root rot is widespread, this will likely be the end of the road for your plant and it may be worth donating it to a local charity.
Root rot is a serious problem that can affect most houseplants. It can cause a deterioration of the plant quickly, so you’ll want to treat it as soon as possible.