Violets are one of the most popular indoor plants. They amaze with their variety of colors, and if you wish, you can collect a rich collection of different varieties with a variety of inflorescences and even multi-colored leaves. But often lovers of indoor plants are faced with the fact that the leaves of violets suddenly begin to turn yellow and the plant loses its decorative effect. So why do violet leaves turn yellow?
First of all, you need to make sure that this is not due to the natural aging process - with age, the leaves may turn yellow and wither, this is normal. Such leaves should be removed promptly before they begin to rot. But if it’s not a matter of age, then, most likely, the yellowing of the foliage is due to poor care of the plant, and the necessary measures must be taken in a timely manner so that your violet does not die. We will talk about the causes of yellowing leaves and ways to solve problems in this article.
Violet overheating
One of them is high temperature or overheating.
Yellow spots begin to appear on the leaves, they dry out and wither. This picture is observed if the room temperature exceeds 25 degrees or more. If there is a lot of direct sunlight, the flower may lose almost all its leaves. They burn out, and the soil becomes very dry and unsuitable for life. What to do? In summer, it is recommended to move the violet to a dark place or to the north side, since the sun from the south can lead to death. You can try to shade the place where the pots are, for which special foil is often used, which saves the leaves from burning out.
If you notice that the substrate is burnt out or the temperature is too high, yellowing can be prevented as follows:
- Fill a basin or bowl with warm, but not hot, water, preferably already infused.
- Place the flower pot there, but so that the water does not flood the soil or touch the bottom sheets.
- After half an hour, pull out the pot, wait until the water drains and place it in a prepared place, but not on the edge of the windowsill, where there are drafts.
Basics for caring for violets
Beginners are often intimidated by changes in the appearance of violets. But pale color, drying and curling of the leaf edges do not always mean plant disease. This is most often due to improper care. In more tragic cases, you can resort to medicinal chemistry. For example, the fungicides “Aktara”, “Aktellik” and others successfully fight many diseases of flowering plants.
Blooming violet
What to do if the violet leaves turn yellow? In order not to make mistakes when growing violets, you need to remember a few simple rules:
- Do not place the flower in direct sunlight. Tender leaves quickly burn, turn yellow and fall off. It is better to choose a shady area of the room or partial shade.
- Make the right substrate or buy a special mixture. Professional soils for Saintpaulias have proven themselves very well. When replanting, give the flower time to acclimatize (greenhouse conditions without watering for 1-2 weeks).
- Organize wick watering. It is not difficult. The design consists of a lower container with water (feeding) and a pot with a string (wick). The wick is released from the drainage hole and lowers to the bottom of the lower container. You don't have to worry about water overflow.
- Systematically fertilize the flower. The composition of the fertilizer depends on the growing season. First you need to add nitrogen-containing products, then potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and others. Fertilizers must be added to water for irrigation.
- Regularly remove dried buds and thin out the lower layer of leaves.
Need to know! To maintain the symmetry of the leaf rosette, it is recommended to rotate the violet periodically.
How to prevent yellow leaves?
It is necessary to pay attention to the leaves of the flower when purchasing it. Often we do not notice the small spots of yellow or brown color and make a purchase in the confidence that the plant is healthy. But at home, the beginnings of the disease develop, and troubles begin.
To prevent the plant from getting sick, plant it correctly from the beginning. The pot must be new. But even if it is old, wash it before planting and then disinfect it. This will guarantee that the diseases of the old flower will not transfer to the plant you want to replant. Also, always use new compost. It is better if it is bought in a store. After all, such products undergo quality control and certainly do not contain fungi or pests. Well, the land that you can collect in the garden or in the forest is not immune from this.
Try not to place violets next to other plants, let them have their own place. This will prevent the transfer of diseases and pests from one flower to another.
Consider the characteristics of different varieties of violets. Plants with dark leaves like less light than those with naturally light leaves. Use this information when placing your flowerpot.
Adjust the watering and fertilizing regime to suit certain times of the year. In winter, the flower's needs decrease, and in spring, during the period of active growth, on the contrary, they increase.
Yellowing leaves or spots are a symptom of several problems that can even lead to the death of an individual
In this case, it is very important to notice in time, determine the cause and begin treatment.
Some of the causes of this problem can develop rapidly and destroy the flower in just a week.
- Check their condition daily;
- And give them a few minutes.
You must always monitor the condition of the violet.
Such control will not allow yellow spots to spread and change the color of the plates:
- Remain unnoticed;
- And accordingly, it will not allow the disease to progress.
In addition to spots, yellow stains may appear on the leaves.
Proper care
Why do hydrangea leaves turn yellow and the edges dry out - causes and treatment
The main reason for the loss of decorative value of violets is improper care. Even a sick flower can be revived. If poor development is associated with disease and pests, appropriate measures can be taken to save the plant. If there is no such threat, then the reason is only due to flaws in care. Once they are eliminated, the flower will very soon reach optimal conditions.
Diseases and pests
Basic provisions that must be observed at different stages of flower development
Each experienced violet lover develops his own rules for breeding the flower. Many factors contribute to this. Each household has its own atmosphere, temperature, lighting, humidity. But there are also rules that must be followed. These can be considered:
- quarantine after purchase for half a month;
- nitrogen fertilizing at the beginning of the growing season;
- fertilization with phosphorus-potassium compounds throughout the flowering period;
- Regular removal of faded buds and damaged leaves.
As a recommendation, you can consider the method of watering. For violets, wick watering is optimal. It is also advisable to apply fertilizers in the same way.
Lack or excess of light
Another common cause of lightening and yellowing of leaves in violets is too bright light. Moreover, both scattered natural and artificial.
The level of illumination required by this plant lies in the range of 2600 - 3000 lux. And if going beyond the lower limits of the interval leads to poor flowering or its complete absence, then exceeding the upper limit causes the leaves to lose color; they become greenish-yellow and painful in appearance. At the same time, their petioles lengthen significantly, and the edges of the leaf blade often curl upward.
Therefore, violets need not only to be protected from the sun and shaded, but also to correctly select the power of phytolamps and the height of their mounting when keeping plants in winter or when placing them on racks.
Variegated forms of violets
Among the huge number of varieties and varieties of violets, many variegated forms have been developed, the distinctive features of which are the yellow edges of the leaf blades, yellow spots on the leaf surface of various shapes and configurations. At first glance, such plants (and especially their leaves) look like they are diseased, but their surface remains strong, juicy and without damage. There are several types of variegation - crown, spontaneous and mosaic. Each species has its own characteristics and distinctive features.
Crown variegation appears only on young leaf blades, coloring them in pink, cream, light green and yellow shades. Spontaneous - can be on any part of the violet, suddenly appearing and just as suddenly disappearing. A yellowed leaf may turn rich green again after some time. Mosaic - distributed in the form of a mosaic over the surface of all leaves in a leaf rosette.
Diseases and pests Useful information
Diseases and treatments
Why don't they grow and what should be done?
There can be many reasons why a violet refuses to grow. This is a too cramped pot, and poorly permeable soil, and lack of light. The gardener can try to correct his mistakes by transplanting his pet into a larger container, changing the soil and purchasing an artificial lighting lamp.
Violets have such a fragile root system that the most seemingly insignificant reason can undo all the months of work of the grower. Therefore, replanting should only be done by transshipment, so as not to damage the roots, into moderately moist, slightly acidic soil with a pH of 6-6.5. The soil is monitored for several days: if there are signs that it has become sour or greasy, the violet needs to be replanted again.
Why do the leaves turn yellow and how to treat them?
If your pet's leaves begin to turn yellow, there may be two reasons for this:
- Excessively cold water.
- Sunburn.
Violets should be watered in the evening, when the risk of burning is reduced to zero, and use only warm water. For growing (especially in the spring-summer months), an eastern and western window with the possibility of using shading is suitable.
Watch a video about the reasons for yellowing of leaves in violets:
Fusarium
This is an infectious, extremely dangerous disease. Rotting occurs first in the roots, then in the stem and leaves.
They become watery and gradually die off. The pathogens penetrate the roots from the soil and infect the vessels of the stem, petioles and roots.
Causes:
- room temperature is too low;
- lack of fertilizers;
- weakening after the flowering process.
There is no treatment in this case. The affected plant is destroyed along with the soil, and the pot is disinfected with substances containing chlorine.
Watch a video about violet fusarium and its treatment:
Powdery mildew
Most often this becomes a problem only for transplanted plants. It's all about soil contaminated with a fungus, the spores of which quickly become active at high humidity and low temperatures.
As soon as a white coating similar to flour appears on the leaves, it is necessary to begin treating the plant with antifungal drugs:
- "Topaz".
- "Saprol".
- "Bytleton."
Tip: You can also use ordinary sulfur, which is used to thickly powder the violet.
Watch a video about powdery mildew on violets and its treatment:
Late blight
Late blight affects the leaves, which become covered with brown, drying spots, and then fall off, exposing the trunk. As the disease progresses, the stem of the violets undergoes necrosis and the plant dies in a matter of weeks.
The flower can be saved only if the rosette is intact: the owner can root its top by treating it with an antifungal drug. Healthy plant tissue is green, diseased tissue is brown. The rest of the plant is destroyed.
To prevent an epidemic among house plants, they should all be treated with anti-fungal drugs for prevention.
Gray rot
Spores of the fungus botrytis, which causes gray mold, can remain viable for a long time in any soil. Conditions for the development of fungi are excessive watering with excess air humidity and low room temperature.
Symptoms of this disease:
- wilting of leaf blades and petioles;
- a fluffy coating of smoky gray or brown on the leaves and petals;
- rotting of roots and stems.
The affected parts must be removed immediately and the flower treated with a fungicide.
Vascular bacteriosis
If the air in the room is too hot and the ventilation is poor, violets often develop vascular bacteriosis. Their leaves become covered with mucus and die. Drugs used for treatment:
- "Zircon".
- "Previkur".
- "Fundazol".
- "Immunocytophyte".
Rust
It is often confused with calcite burn: in both cases, the lower part of the leaf is covered with brown specks, and the upper part is covered with orange tubercles. But rust most often affects young plants, and fungi cause this disease. Having cracked, the tubercles release their spores, which cover the living parts of the plant and destroy it. This disease does not often affect violets.
Treatment consists of spraying the plant with sulfur dust, a one percent solution of Bordeaux mixture or a fungicide.
Location
Therefore, to avoid burns, you need to place violets with light leaves on windows facing north or east. And violets with dark leaves should be placed on southern and western windows, not forgetting to protect them from the sun with blinds or sun-protective film. By the way, violets with dark leaves are the most resistant to adverse conditions and are viable.
Improper care
If the violet is not properly cared for, yellowing of the foliage may occur. Despite the fact that the flower is demanding of high humidity, spraying it is strictly prohibited. After this procedure, drops appear on the foliage that do not dry out for a long time. Ultraviolet rays are focused on them. In place of the droplets, yellow burn spots appear, which can have different shapes. Flower growers note the appearance of stripes, arcs, dots, shapeless blots, etc. on the foliage. The spots are characterized by a clearly defined local structure. After the spots appear, their further spread is not observed. The leaves themselves are strong. No color change is observed in this case.
Violet needs regular and abundant watering. It is strictly forbidden to allow the earthen clod to dry out, as this can cause yellow foliage. When the soil dries out, the leaf blades become pale and limp. If the flower is not watered further, the leaves will turn brown and fall off.
With excessive watering, rotting of the root system and stems is observed. Against this background, the violet foliage turns pale and yellow. In order to eliminate excessive moisture or drying out of the soil, it is recommended to use wick irrigation. It involves placing a thick cord in the pot that can retain moisture. One end of the cord must be passed through the drainage hole of the pot and placed in a container that is filled with water. In this case, watering of the drainage layer, as well as regular watering, is not carried out.
In order for the plant to fully grow and develop, it is necessary to regularly introduce nitrogen fertilizers in sufficient quantities. In order to ensure abundant flowering, phosphorus fertilizers are applied. If these rules are violated, yellowing of the foliage is observed. If you apply only phosphorus fertilizers to the violet, this will negatively affect its appearance. In order to ensure complete feeding of violets, it is recommended to use Emerald fertilizer. It is characterized by an optimal composition of microelements and is developed specifically for violets. In addition, this fertilizer protects the foliage from yellowing.
At the end of winter, a one-time feeding is recommended. In spring and autumn, fertilization should be carried out once a month. In summer it is necessary to fertilize the violet every week. Florists are recommended to alternate organic and mineral fertilizers. The first type of fertilizer is prepared from mullein or chicken droppings a week before the procedure. 100 grams of manure must be poured with a liter of water and left for 2 days. After this, the product must be filtered and diluted in three liters of water. Bird droppings are a more concentrated fertilizer. It is diluted at the rate of 20 grams per 3 liters of water. In order to eliminate the possibility of yellowing on the foliage, it is recommended to properly and promptly care for the violet.
What to do and how to minimize the consequences:
Among the natural consequences associated with care, several options can be distinguished, and each of them has its own specifics . Sometimes there can be several errors at the same time, and then fixing one will not fix the whole problem. It is also important to adhere to the general rules for caring for Saintpaulias.
Overheating?
The normal temperature for violets is 16-22°. An increase in temperature to a maximum of 26° is allowed , but this occurs without consequences only under certain conditions. An increase in temperature should be accompanied by an increase in humidity, then an acceptable high temperature will not harm the collection. If the temperature is higher than the maximum, or the humidity is low, yellowing occurs inevitably.
Often due to overheating, violet leaves turn yellow.
To correct the consequences it is necessary :
- Reduce the room temperature;
- Or increase the humidity.
The error cannot be corrected by opening the windows next to the plants; drafts and sudden changes in temperature have a bad effect on their condition. May be useful :
- Humidifiers;
- Moving violets to a new place;
- Place a tray under the pots with wet expanded clay.
Poor lighting?
Violet loves a lot of light, but it should be diffused . Direct sunlight is allowed
only in the morning and evening hours, when they are not so active. If there is little light, this is also bad, leaves:
- They lose their appearance;
- And the young leaves quickly turn yellow.
In some situations, the leaves turn yellow, but retain their elasticity.
To ensure the necessary conditions :
- The windows are shaded with a special film;
- Or placed at some distance from the window;
- Or install additional artificial lighting.
Improper watering?
Yellowing of leaves most often results :
- Lack of humidity in the air;
- And drying out of the earthen coma.
Violets love moisture without excess , and cannot tolerate a regular lack of water in the soil.
For good health, the earthen ball should be moist and dry out only 1-2 cm between waterings; it is advisable to maintain air humidity at 50-70% .
Improper watering can cause yellowing of violet leaves.
Excess fertilizing?
For good growth and flowering it is necessary to apply fertilizer , but it is important to avoid overfeeding. If excess nutrients accumulate in the soil, leaves:
- The lower leaves lose turgor and turn yellow;
- And then they dry out.
Violets should be fed no more than once every two weeks in the summer, and every three in the winter. The recommended dosage is divided by two , and the solution is diluted in this way. If the plant is wick-irrigated, fertilizer is added to the water constantly, but the concentration is reduced by 7-10 times.
Using bad soil?
also be considered a serious mistake. There may be two errors in this option:
- He may be old;
- Or incorrectly selected.
When a violet is not replanted for a long time, waste products accumulate in the substrate, and useful substances, on the contrary, are washed out . If the soil is chosen incorrectly, it brings its own problems and can be:
- Heavy - it’s hard for the roots to breathe, and they rot;
- Water-retaining - if the substrate dries out slowly, excess moisture has a detrimental effect on the root system;
- Non-nutritive - low content of nutrients, leads to rapid depletion.
If there are problems with the soil, the violet must be replanted, and it is important to follow all the nuances :
- The violet is taken out from the pot, the earthen lump is completely removed;
- Damaged roots are removed and sprinkled with crushed activated charcoal or charcoal;
- Leaves are removed only those that have become very yellow and have lost turgor. If the leaf has turned a little yellow or has just become limp, it can still recover;
- When planting in new soil, it is important not to deepen the Saintpaulia too much to avoid water getting into the core and causing it to rot;
- After planting, the individual is watered abundantly. Drain the water from the pan. Further watering is not carried out until the coma dries out completely.
Advice! After replanting with soil replacement, watering with fertilizers is carried out no earlier than two weeks after the procedure. It is ideal to feed the violet for the first time in a month.
Pest or disease attacks?
There are reasons that are more threatening to the entire collection. Pests and infectious diseases to which violets can be exposed are contagious, and one diseased plant can lead to problems with all neighboring rosettes.
Due to pests, violet leaves may become covered with yellow spots.
It is very important to quarantine the plant in time, even if the diagnosis is not yet final, it is better not to risk it and take action immediately.
Leading to yellowing of sheets are :
- Powdery mildew . At the initial stage, white spots are observed on the plates (similar to circles of poured flour). Further, at the site of the spots, the leaves turn yellow with veins or dry out. Treated by spraying with a soap solution, or treating with dry preparations;
- Late blight infection. Stems and blades become lethargic, turn yellow or black and die. For recovery, be sure to replant and treat with a fungicide;
- Fungal infection. If not properly cared for, fungus can develop and the leaves of indoor violets rot and turn yellow. For treatment, it is necessary to replant the rosette and treat it with a fungicide;
- Pests are mites and mealybugs. The symptoms are very similar. White spots, yellowing of leaves, something like a cobweb on the bottom and between the leaves. Any insecticide diluted according to the instructions will help against them.
Important! In cases of infection with any of the listed diseases, the plant must be immediately isolated and treated.
Excess of fertilizing elements?
Just as a lack of nutrients leads to problems, an excess of certain elements leads to various problems . With a large amount of potassium:
- Growth stops;
- And the leaves become small and turn yellow.
Overfeeding with fertilizers or salt deposits as plant waste always leads to disease and death . In such a situation you need:
- Or replant the flower;
- Or add fertilizers that lower potassium levels.
Physiological changes and their signs
Reasons for the yellowness of violet leaves:
- incorrect placement;
- improper watering and fertilizing;
- substrate requirements are not met;
- natural death of the lower leaves.
The first cause of all troubles may be the acquisition of a plant or cutting with ready-made problems. Therefore, the leaf for rooting should be taken from a healthy plant without the slightest defect and not from the lower tier of the rosette. The purchased plant must undergo a two-week quarantine. This means that the plant is not placed in the collection, it is kept separately and its condition is monitored. Diseases or insect pests will be detected during this time, and the entire collection will avoid infection.
Yellowing of the leaves on the lower tier may mean that the violet is old and has not been replanted for a long time. There is not enough food, and it is distributed to flowers and young leaves. The reason why violet leaves turn yellow may be a lack of potassium and nitrogen. The same result is possible if the earth has lost acidity; elements in an alkaline environment do not pass into a soluble form. The best way to correct the situation may be to replant the flower and replace the soil or water it with slightly acidic water.
However, the cause may be discoloration of leaves in bright light, and not just sunlight. Violets on racks under artificial lighting are also harmful due to excessive lighting. There is a special film that can be glued to window glass or cover plants using accessible methods. Violets with dark leaves are more resistant to excessive light.
The leaf blade may turn yellow when touched to cold glass in winter, when watered with cold water or abundantly. Saintpaulias love moist air, but this is achieved by placing a container of water or damp moss nearby. Is it possible to spray violets? No, this will not increase humidity, but it will ruin the appearance of Saintpaulia. The leaves do not like such moisture. Caring for them involves washing them with soapy water in the shower and drying them in the bathroom once a quarter. A flower with droplets of water will become a focal point for the sun's rays, and the leaf will get burned, an unsightly brown spot.
If the plant is exposed to a draft, this may cause pale or bronzed leaves. Both low and high temperatures have negative consequences for the plant. At temperatures above 25 degrees, the flower plate becomes discolored.
Identifying causes and combating them
If yellow spots are found on the surface of the leaves, you should determine what caused this :
- If the plant is in direct sunlight and burns appear on the leaves, you should cut off the diseased leaves, remove the flower from the windowsill or dim the bright light;
- If the pot does not have a drainage hole due to excessive watering, this problem can be solved by making holes in the bottom with a heated nail and watering the violet only when the top lump of earth has dried, preferably through a tray;
- If the soil in the pot has not been changed for several years , this may be the reason for the yellowing of the leaves. It can be easily eliminated by replacing it with high-quality light primer. When replanting, you should carefully remove all old soil from the roots;
- If the cause of yellowing of the leaves is a fungal disease , the plants must be isolated from others and treated with a suitable fungicide, according to the instructions. If the measures taken do not help, the violet is destroyed;
- To protect the plant from yellowing of the leaves and ensure uninterrupted flowering of violets from March to November, you should feed it with macro and microelements that promote abundant and long flowering. And, if yellowing occurs for this reason, you should adhere to a certain feeding schedule : At the very beginning of spring, give 2 times every 2 weeks a complete complex fertilizer with macro and microelements;
- Then nitrogen is excluded from fertilizing so that there is no excessive growth of green mass to the detriment of flowering. Excess nitrogen can lead to weakening of the plant and the appearance of fungal diseases;
- Next, feed with potassium monophosphate and potassium sulfate.
When yellow spots appear on violet leaves, it is necessary to identify the cause.
Features of the flower
Most novice gardeners do not understand why the leaves turn yellow. This is due to the physiological characteristics of the flower or infectious diseases. The occurrence of physiological changes is observed with improper care. The appearance of infectious diseases can only be observed on plants that have weakened immunity.
Violet foliage is collected in rosettes that have the correct shape. There are flowers in the center of the rosette. The leaves are characterized by a horizontal position. It shouldn't rise. If violet flowering is not observed, then the foliage should also be in a horizontal position. The leaves of the indoor flower are green in color, the shade of which varies depending on the type of crop. If, upon examination, the florist determines that his violet does not differ from this description, then he should not worry. If discoloration and dryness around the edges appear, it is necessary to evaluate the quality of flower care, as well as the presence of diseases.
Violet leaves can turn yellow for a variety of reasons. They can only be determined if the florist regularly inspects the flower.
Violet leaves turn yellow - what to do to prevent this from happening
When purchasing a plant, carefully examine it - all leaves should be strong and healthy, there should be no stains or mechanical damage on them. At home, immediately replant the plant in fresh soil and a new flower pot, and also keep it in quarantine for several days, without rushing to place it in the company of other flowers.
As a preventive measure, before transplanting the plant, the soil can be spilled with potassium permanganate, steamed or calcined in the oven to destroy all pathogenic organisms that may be there. The flower pot also needs to be treated with potassium permanganate. All these measures will not take much time, but they will help protect your violet from possible infections.
Place violets separately from other houseplants, especially those that need misting. Also, when placing, take into account the characteristics of the variety of your plants: violets with darker greens need less light than plants with light green leaves (but this does not mean that they should be grown in the shade).
Adjust the frequency of watering and fertilization depending on the growing season: during the period of growth and flowering, violets need more frequent watering and regular fertilizing, and in winter, watering should be more moderate, and fertilizing may not be carried out at all. Through trial and error, you will quickly learn how to care for violets, and the problem of yellowing foliage will no longer bother you.
Disease or pest attack
It also happens that pests begin to attack all indoor pets. Some insects enter through windows, some are already in the contaminated soil and become active under good conditions. Symptoms may include rotting flowers or the appearance of yellow shoots and leaves. How to determine that a flower is being attacked by pests?
- the leaves lightened, became transparent, lost their elasticity, the ends of the leaves turned yellow;
- spots appear, the plants look tired, lethargic, and begin to dry out quickly.
It happens that you notice the movement of an incomprehensible white mass along the edges of the pot. These are springtails or better known to flower growers as springtails. Often their appearance is associated with rotten roots, which are their real delicacy. The problem is that over time, the number of duras begins to grow, and white pests begin to eat up healthy roots, gradually moving to neighboring pots. To get rid of them, you can use shag, citrus crumbs scattered on the ground, or pyrethrum. Reasons why a flower may die include fungus. Yellowing marks plants affected by various spores of fungal diseases. It is imperative to note its appearance at the initial stage, since the plant may not be saved. The appearance may be due to too much humidity or excessive watering. The reason for the death of some leaves may be the natural process of growth and aging. If yellow leaves begin to appear in the lower or middle layer of leaves, do not treat everything around
You need to pay special attention when most of the flower turns yellow.
Watering and lighting
One of the most important elements of caring for Saintpaulias is proper watering. Under no circumstances should a situation be allowed where the soil dries out or, conversely, gets flooded too often and too heavily.
Problems with waterlogged soil:
- Soil acidification;
- Reducing air flow to the roots;
- Rotting of the violet root system (which is why yellowing occurs);
- Yellowing of leaves;
- Loss of elasticity in plant leaves.
If the situation is not yet critical, and the leaves do not turn yellow too quickly, then the flower is replanted from waterlogged soil, after cleaning the roots. In this way, rotting is prevented, but if it has already affected part of the roots, then they must be removed. The consequence of root rot is that the leaves turn yellow. But, in addition to watering, it is equally important to follow the rules of appropriate lighting for the plant.
If the cause of yellowing is overheating, overdrying or burning of the leaves under the sun's rays, then it is necessary to create shady conditions for the violet (using curtains, moving or even mosquito nets on the windows that scatter the rays) and increase the amount of watering (or frequency).
If overdrying occurs, then the pot with the flower is dipped in warm water for 60 minutes, after which it is set aside in a shaded place protected from direct rays. It is important to know that without the use of sunscreen films and other methods of protection from direct exposure to bright light, burns may even appear on the leaves of Saintpaulia.
General recommendations regarding lighting include the advice to place violets on window sills in front of eastern and northern windows if the leaves are light in nature, and place violets with dark leaves next to western and southern windows, having previously been protected with sun-protection films on the windows.
How to care for a plant at home to save it?
If a florist notices the blackening of the leaves of the “female happiness” flower and determines the reasons, then to effectively treat the blackening plant, he needs to perform the following steps:
- Treat the crop with a fungicide. Instructions for dilution and use are on each package.
- Raise the air temperature to +26 degrees.
- Remove the plant from the pot and inspect the roots for fungal damage. If there are rotten parts, cut them off and treat the cut areas with crushed coal.
- Reduce the frequency and abundance of watering by half. The next moistening of the soil should occur after a third of the soil layer has dried.
- Use complex fertilizers. In spring, fertilizing is applied every week. In summer, you can apply once every 10 days. During the rest period, it is allowed to feed the crop for its complete restoration - once a month will be enough.
- Trim off all affected areas of spathiphyllum.
- Spray the plant with water (you can add a growth stimulator to it).
What type of violet should I change to if all else fails?
If no methods help, and the leaves still turn yellow and become pale, it is better to change the variety of violet. Experienced flower growers advise purchasing a hybrid variety that blooms almost all year round or, conversely, produces buds only for a short period of time. It depends on what varieties you can't grow.
Growing violets at home is not difficult if you follow all the rules for caring for them. But it is better for an inexperienced gardener to purchase a more modern hybrid variety, which is less demanding in care. Nowadays, different varieties have been developed that are adapted to different conditions.
Root rot
Root rot
Alarm signal - the violet does not bloom. It can be assumed that a violet has root rot if, with a damp substrate, the lower leaves of the flower, which have lost their elasticity, are flaccid, and the petioles are soft to the touch. The cause of violet root rot is fungi (phytopthora, pythium), and their active reproduction is provoked by the incorrect content of the flower, to be more precise:
- lack of drainage hole in the pot, excessive watering;
- poor quality soil (taken from the garden);
- cooling the soil in the pot;
- abundant watering on dry soil.
According to statistics, 75% of all violet diseases are root rot. To avoid this unpleasant disease, take the advice of experienced gardeners as a rule - water in small portions in case of violet transplantation and after a forced long drought. Water every few days until the plant adapts after the stress it has suffered.
If you suspect root rot in your violet, do not hesitate, start resuscitating your favorite flower. First of all, remove it from the pot and inspect the roots. The absence of white roots confirms the diagnosis. The next step is to remove the lower leaves and cut off the root part. If there are brown spots on the stem cut, cut the stem higher. The stem that is not damaged by rot has a purple tint. If the entire stem is damaged by rot, destroy the plant.
When we reach the healthy part of the stem, remove the lower 1-1.5 cm of leaves, spray with fungicide, leave to lie for 30 minutes and place in a substrate (vermiculite, water, soil) to form new roots. It is better to use moistened vermiculite and put a transparent bag on top of the flower. Take the container with the flower to a cool room and use a fluorescent lamp for illumination. After new roots appear, plant the violet in a new pot filled with soil.
Fertilizing violets against yellowing of leaves
Lack of nutrients immediately affects the condition of the leaves. They begin to turn yellow around the edges and dry out. An adult plant during the dormant period requires less feeding than during the active flowering period. But at least once a month you should feed the flower. Well, if the violet pleases you with a bouquet, then you need to feed it twice as often.
With a lack of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus, the leaves turn yellow. And when there is an excess of them, the plant “fattens” and increases green mass, but does not want to bloom. With a lack of potassium, the leaves may turn yellow, become spotted and curl. Phosphorus deficiency inhibits the development of the root system and prevents budding. The violet will not bloom until it receives the entire nutritional complex.
The composition of fertilizers should be alternated. This will help avoid imbalances in violet nutrients.
Fertilizing is carried out at the root and by spraying. The concentration of foliar fertilizers should be reduced by no less than 2 times. Beginners are not recommended to use violet sprays. The leaves of the plant are very sensitive to moisture. And the sun's rays falling on water droplets on the leaves can cause severe burns. This is expressed in unsightly yellow spots.
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Top dressing
Much in the process of flower development depends on the amount and availability of nutrients necessary for the plant in the soil. For example, nitrogen is necessary for normal growth, and phosphorus is necessary for lush flowering of violets. If a young plant is fertilized with phosphorus alone, this will contribute to problems, including, possibly, yellowing of the leaves. It’s a good idea to use Emerald fertilizer – it will protect the foliage.
We must not forget about the correct regularity of fertilizers. Organic and simple (or complex) mineral fertilizers for Saintpaulias should be alternated. Feed the flower once every two weeks in spring, summer and autumn (in summer you can do it a little more often), and in winter - less often, once a month. Why? Because in the cold season, Saintpaulia has slower life processes and often does not bloom.
Infectious diseases of violets
Infectious diseases include those that invade a weakened plant. Therefore, the cause of the disease is always improper care. In order to protect Saintpaulia from diseases, you should first of all not bring infection with new plants. Quarantine serves as a warning.
The plant can be weakened by:
Under such conditions, rot appears on the stems or roots of the violet.
, areas where late blight can penetrate. This is one of the most dangerous infectious diseases of Saintpaulia when temperature and humidity are not maintained. The causative agent of the disease is transmitted by soil
Therefore, it is important to disinfect all purchased and homemade soil.
Another disease that can destroy all violets in a short time is called powdery mildew.
, which begins as a harmless white coating of dust, ends with the death of the plant. Powdery mildew on violets requires prompt treatment. You cannot take layering from such a specimen.
For treatment in the early stages, you can use special drugs such as Topaz or Saprol. As soon as you notice the powdery coating, cover the plant with sulfur powder, seal it tightly with a bag and create a temperature of 25 to kill the mycelium. You can spray it using a suspension of soda and laundry soap. If powdery mildew on a violet is severe, destroy the plant and carry out preventive treatment for the remaining inhabitants of the window sill.
The difference between infectious rot is that it spreads to all plants in cramped conditions. Non-infectious diseases can destroy one plant due to improper care.
Problems of violets and their solution - video
It’s hard to pass by a blooming Uzumbara violet in a store. The variety of colors of simple and double flowers will not leave a real gardener indifferent. An even horizontal rosette of soft leaves and a bouquet of violets in the center will decorate any windowsill. But it’s not for nothing that the plant is considered to be quite capricious.
Errors in care lead to the leaves turning yellow, falling off and the recently beautiful flower dying. When deciding to purchase this miracle, you should study the agricultural technology of growing and the rules for caring for violets.
Article outline
Why do the leaves turn yellow?
At a blooming violet?
During the flowering period, violets often become a target for disease . Further actions after detection depend on the diagnosis. If the problem is care, then:
- It is being corrected;
- Then it is not necessary to remove the flowers (this depends on the complexity of the disease).
When the cause is infections and pests, further actions depend on the situation and the flowers are removed if replanting is necessary, but if everything is done by treating the leaves, then the flowers:
- Processed together with them;
- And they are kept under observation.
The leaves of a blooming violet can also turn yellow for various reasons.
If there is no reason for yellowing, and it catches the lower rows, this indicates a lack of strength . In this case, the plant needs to be fed urgently. Whether to leave flower stalks or not depends on:
- Socket status;
- And the number of lost leaves.
But do they retain elasticity?
Yellowed leaves are not always accompanied by a loss of turgor. If the plate remains elastic and the stems are not soft, and the color clearly does not match the variety, there can only be one reason - improper lighting . If the lighting is too bright, or from direct sunlight, the sheets lose color or get burned, but they do not always wither.
Along the edges, spots, streaks, streaks?
Uneven yellowing can cause a variety of problems :
By yellowing of the leaves, the cause of violet disease can be identified.
- Spots - burns, pests, powdery mildew;
- Along the edges - a lack of nutrients or moisture;
- Stains and streaks - excess fertilizers or salts in the soil, pests.
Advice! If yellowing occurs unevenly, it is better to immediately quarantine the plant; this is often a symptom of contagious diseases and pests. In this case, every day between other individuals increases the risk of infection of neighboring flowerpots.
Pests and diseases
Violet leaves immediately respond to infection. The edge of the leaf blade becomes brownish and gradually turns yellow completely. If the violet is sick, then measures need to be taken urgently. The plant does not tolerate spraying well, so methods of combating diseases must be chosen based on these conditions.
Powdery mildew
Pollination of flower leaves with fungicides is used against powdery mildew. Suitable for violets are Bayleton and Saprol. The drugs must be used according to the standards specified in the instructions. After pollination with dry matter, it is recommended to cover the flower with polyethylene.
Late blight
With late blight, violet leaves become soft, change color to brown-yellow and fall off. To combat late blight, the plant needs to be replanted. Cut off damaged roots and leaves with a sharp knife. Treat the roots with a fungicide. If the procedure is carried out at the initial stage of infection, the flower can still be saved.
Fungus
The fungus Fusarium causes a disease called fusarium. Most often it affects plants whose agricultural practices are disturbed. Temperature changes and excess moisture lead to rotting of petioles and leaf blades. The disease quickly spreads to the root system. The disease can be identified by the appearance of brown spots on the leaves and rotting of the petioles.
To combat the disease, you need to get rid of the contaminated soil, treat the plants with a fungicide, removing previously damaged parts. It is easier to combat fusarium with preventive measures. reduces the ability of the fungus to divide cells. If you use the drug regularly when watering violets, the problem can be avoided.
Other pests
The most common pests of violets are mites and mealybugs. To combat them, it is better to use effective insecticides. The drug prepared according to the instructions is applied to the plant by spraying.
To prevent the leaves from turning yellow from the applied moisture, the treatment should be carried out away from sunlight. And you can return the plant to its place only after the leaves have completely dried.
How to treat diseases of violets such as spots on the leaves? Why do violet leaves turn yellow? What to do if violet leaves turn black? The above problems are the result of improper flower care. They can be cured if care is normalized. But in some cases, flower resuscitation is necessary. So, experts explain how to treat diseases of violets due to improper care. Photos of diseases are attached.
What else can happen to leaves if not cared for properly?
Improper care is harmful to violets, as well as to any other indoor plants. The results of such care may be:
- with a lack of light, new leaves become lighter and smaller, the petioles become elongated, and the edges of the leaves bend upward;
- increased acidity or excessive salinity of the soil leads to curling of leaf plates, the same problem occurs with a lack of nitrogen or overwatering;
- light spots on the leaves or their tips hint to the grower that the flower is watered with too cold water or is suffering from sunburn;
- with the development of root rot, wilting appears and the color of the leaves is lost;
- gray rot provokes a process in which the leaves may become covered with a gray coating;
- late blight is manifested by the presence of brownish, brown spots on violet leaves, turgor is lost;
- due to non-compliance with the temperature regime, rust may appear on the plant, characterized by unpleasant rusty tubercles and dots on the leaves and cuttings;
- with excessive watering and hypothermia, black rot may develop on the violet, the leaves will darken and turn black.
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Violets are quite whimsical plants, which will not be so easy for an inexperienced gardener to cope with.
Main reasons
The reasons leading to rotting of the leaves, and, as a consequence of the whole violet, can be varied, but several of the most common can be identified:
- If the lower leaves rot, it comes from the roots. The reasons for this process may be: Overmoistening - excessive watering, as well as residual water not drained from the pan. The correct watering system that suits the climate in the house is the main rule to avoid this situation;
- Incorrectly selected substrate - very heavy or with the addition of a large number of components that retain moisture. If the soil is heavy, it clumps together and does not allow the roots to breathe, which leads to their rotting. When the substrate contains a lot of moss, coconut fiber or other similar components, water is retained and a “swamp” effect is created;
- Temperature changes - too low and high temperatures lead to rotting of the roots.
- Water on leaves after watering. Some gardeners make a mistake when watering and fearlessly spray or water violets directly over the leaves. Water entering the fluffy leaf plates leads to brown spots and subsequent rotting of the leaves. The most dangerous thing in this case may be flooding of the growing point, if it rots - this irrevocably leads to the death of the individual and the maximum that remains is the lateral shoots or leaves;
- Excess fertilizing - wanting to do better, you can seriously do harm, and when fertilizers lead to yellowing and rotting, this is naturally bad. Flower growers recommend diluting the fertilizer solution at least half the concentration from the instructions, and also fertilizing no more often than once every two weeks with normal watering;
- The wrong pot size is a big one, just like a small pot is bad. In large flowerpots, there is excess soil that is not entwined with roots; this is where the fungus forms, since the moisture in this substrate is very slowly absorbed by the plant. The problem with small pots can only affect young, growing plants; adults can live in the same pot size for many years. When the plant is cramped, the roots can also rot due to lack of soil and nutrients, and the pinched roots are damaged;
It is very important to choose the right size pot. Gray rot, fusarium - infection by infectious fungi
Gray rot is dark gray spots where parts of the plant begin to rot. Fusarium - an infection that affects the roots; the first symptoms are very easy to miss. The leaves wither and die as if they were dying naturally, but signs of decay appear at the base
Gray rot, fusarium - infection by infectious fungi. Gray rot is dark gray spots where parts of the plant begin to rot. Fusarium - an infection that affects the roots; the first symptoms are very easy to miss. The leaves wither and die as if they were dying naturally, but signs of decay appear at the base.
Important! By initially correctly identifying the cause of rotting, you can save the plant. Incorrect treatment leads to worsening of the condition
In some cases, care errors need to be corrected, but fungi need to be dealt with more seriously.
Causes of yellowness on violet leaves
Why do violet leaves turn yellow and what to do about it? It is worth noting that such symptoms in a plant appear due to:
- improper care;
- diseases.
In the first case, it will be enough to change the conditions of detention, but in the second, special herbal preparations may be needed. Let's look at the reasons for the yellowing of violet leaves in order.
Overheat
The scorching rays of the sun have a very negative effect on violets. If it stands on a window without any protection, it can quickly lose almost all its leaves. At first they just burn out, and then they practically start to burn. In addition, such conditions lead to drying out of the soil.
Try not to place the violet near batteries. In winter, this will lead to drying out of the soil and leaves. It is better to choose a table or shelf where there will be good lighting, but at the same time the heating elements will be at a distance.
To prevent this from happening, place the violet so that it is shaded. This will protect the leaves from burning. If this is not possible, try covering the windows with special foil. It will be a barrier to dangerous rays, but will let light through. You can also choose a window where the sun shines the least.
If the soil in the pot is dry, do the following procedure:
- Fill a bowl with warm water.
- Place the pot of violet for half an hour.
- Pull it out and place it in a favorable place.
By watering the plant in this way, you will not disturb its root system. As much moisture as the flower needs will get into the pot.
Photo from the site: www.bolshoyvopros.ru
Lack of light
With a lack of light, the leaves of violets also turn yellow, and the violet itself begins to wither. Therefore, do not hide the flower from sunlight too much. It is important to adhere to moderation in everything. Also try to periodically loosen the soil near the roots. This increases the supply of oxygen to them.
Abundance of moisture in the air
Too wet soil and air are also unfavorable for violets. It may turn sour and rotting processes will appear. As a result, the roots of the plant will suffer, and then the leaves. In this situation, they will also turn yellow from lack of oxygen and nutrients.
To prevent this situation, control the moisture level in the flower pot. Water the violet in moderation. If the decay process has already begun, simply replant the flower in good soil. This will give a better result than corrective measures. Try to ventilate the room often - air movement will remove excess moisture from the room.
Photo from the site: indoor.usadbaonline.ru
Bad substrate
Much depends on the quality of the soil. Too sour is not suitable for violets. But alkaline is favorable for them. You can buy a suitable substrate in a store, then you just have to make sure that its qualities do not change. It's easy to do. Water the flower with distilled water, and then control the water in the tray using indicator paper. It is also on sale. The blue color of the indicator shows that everything is fine with the soil. Pink indicates increased acidity.
If for some reason you do not buy ready-made plant substrates, prepare them yourself. Violets love soil collected from under linden and birch trees. After this, they can be watered with drunk tea or infusion of alder catkins. To reduce the acidity of the soil, you can add ash and chalk to it, but in small quantities. Measures are needed everywhere.
Try to replant the plant once a year, changing the compost. If the pots are very small and the plant is already mature, then replanting may be needed more often.
Photo from the site: idealnijdom.ru
Disproportional feeding
Many flower lovers use fertilizers when caring for them. This is right. Feeding is needed during active growth and during the flowering period. But sometimes fertilizers are applied incorrectly or disproportionately to the needs of the plant. In such cases, the violet leaves turn yellow at the edges. Let's take a more specific look.
Nitrogen fertilizers are needed for the formation of stems, and phosphorus fertilizers for flowering. Even if your violet is in the blooming period of its life, you should not exclude one feeding for the sake of another. Try to add fertilizer evenly so that the plant has the strength to ensure the vital activity of the leaves.
Violets often turn yellow due to a lack of potassium. Try using a fertilizer with this mineral.
It is worth noting that organic and synthetic fertilizers must be alternated. Use them alternately, which will allow the flower to get just the right amount.
Photo from the site: vse-fialki.jimdo.com
Overwatering
If the soil is too wet and the flower is not comfortable, its leaves may also turn yellow. The process begins at the roots and moves to the base of the leaves. The plant itself softens, almost rots. In such conditions, pests begin to appear.
In this situation, the optimal solution is to replant the plant. Take a new pot, fill it with normal soil and replant the violet. At the same time, do not forget to change the watering mode so that history does not repeat itself.
Photo from website: vk.com
Yellow spots due to pests
Why do violet leaves turn yellow in spots? This phenomenon, when individual areas are affected, does exist. If you see yellow spots on the leaves of a violet, most likely it is suffering from pests. In particular, you will most likely find greenhouse thrips, which are sucking parasites. They lay their larvae directly on the leaves of the plant. They themselves are brown in color. It is imperative to fight this. To destroy pests, spray the plant with tobacco infusion. You can also sprinkle it with pyrethrum.
Also, yellow spots on violet leaves may indicate that when watering you get water on them. Where the drops fell, a light spot then forms. To avoid this, water the violets through a tray. The plant itself will take so much moisture. You can do mass watering of violets. To do this, fill a bowl or bathtub with water and place the flowerpots in it for a while. Just don’t forget about the flowers, because they can overflow the water.
Photo from the site: grassia.ru
Leaves turn yellow at the edges
Why do violet leaves turn yellow around the edges? This problem occurs when there is a lack of nutrients in the soil. Perhaps you haven’t transplanted your pet for a long time. If this is the case, then this needs to be done as soon as possible. Also, a lack of substances can be felt during heavy watering, when the soil is literally washed out into the pan. This must be avoided. In addition, try to periodically (when necessary) add soil to the top of the pot. Just do this carefully so as not to damage the leaves and stems.
Also try to fertilize the violet. Houseplants cannot live without feeding at all. Under natural conditions, the soil is flavored with dead stems and leaves, and animal waste. But this does not happen in room conditions. To make the flower feel good, purchase special fertilizers. They are designed taking into account the characteristics of different plants.
Photo from the site: propochemu.ru
11 Fusarium
The disease begins with the root system of violets. The roots begin to rot, and the infection spreads through the vessels to the stems, petioles and lower leaves. The foliage turns brown and the edges become watery. Over time, the green part withers and dies.
The disease spreads under the following circumstances:
- At low temperatures (below 16 degrees).
- When the plant weakens after flowering.
- With a lack of fertilizers.
Having discovered fusarium, it is necessary to remove the violet from other plants. Affected violets are simply destroyed along with the soil, and the pot is disinfected with fungicides.
Proper watering and monthly treatment with phytosporin will help prevent the formation of fusarium.
Growing conditions
Violet needs optimal temperature and lighting. If the temperature changes sharply, this can lead to yellowing of the foliage. Violet must be grown at a temperature of 23-25 degrees. If the room is excessively cold or drafty, this can lead to stains. They negatively affect the appearance of the flower, but do not negatively affect health. In order to eliminate this nuisance, it is necessary to increase the temperature in the room. After a rosette appears on the flower, the yellow leaves are removed.
Excessively high temperatures are detrimental to the plant. This leads to softening of the leaf rosette and yellowing of the leaves. Extensive watery spots appear on the underside of the foliage. The upper part of the leaf turns yellow. If the room temperature is not lowered, this can lead to the death of the plant.
If the light is too bright, the leaves may turn pale. In this case, greenish-yellow foliage is observed, the edges of which curl upward. Violets do not tolerate excessively bright sunlight. That is why it is recommended to place them in partial shade. When exposed to solar radiation, not only yellowing of the foliage can occur, but also burns, which lead to tissue death.
The cause of the pathology may be improper organization of violet growing conditions.