Birds of paradise look really cool – there ’s no denying it . With gorgeous tropical frond and flower that resemble folded origami doll , they in truth possess a sense of loftiness . Whenever I see one , I cogitate to myself , “ that ’s sick ! ”
However , “ that ’s sick ! ” can turn from slangful admiration to an formula of concern all too rapidly .
When aStrelitziabecomes afflicted with disease , it ’s only natural to dread for its retentive - term wellness and natural selection , especially if you raised it yourself from a wee lil ’ seeded player or division . That wench of paradise is your baby … you ’d do anything to keep it alive and well !
Botrytis gray mold on a citrus fruit. Photo by Veronidae, Wikimedia Commons, viaCC BY-SA.
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Thankfully , there ’s no better weapon for fighting against disease than knowledge . By knowing what afflicts an infectedStrelitziaand how to check or prevent it , you could preserve your birds of paradise from an early dying .
In this guidebook , you ’ll find out about the most commonStrelitziadiseases , their causes , and how to manipulate them .
Along with give birth the right precautions in spot and fastness of action , any nurseryman with this know - how can see their birds of paradise live longsighted and happy lives .
Here ’s what you ’ll watch in this guide :
How to Identify and Manage Common Bird of Paradise Diseases
When it come to keeping your shuttle of paradise loose of contagion , you ca n’t go awry with sterile gardening practices such as making clean pruning cuts , disinfect your tools , and utilizing or maintain disease - free soil in the garden .
In addition , have sex how to domesticate yourStrelitziaproperly will keep it at peak wellness , which is the first line of defense against any pathogen .
For a refresher on grow a bird of paradise the correct room , check out our guide on doing just that . Otherwise , let ’s figure out what ’s plaguing your plants .
1. Armillaria Root Rot
mainly affecting woody tree and shrub , armillaria root rot can also smite herbaceous botany such as palms andStrelitzia . It ’s get by various species of the fungal genusArmillaria , althoughA. melleais commonly the offender in habitation gardens .
The chief symptom is waste - out and necrotic root , which finally lose the ability to draw H2O up into the industrial plant . This leads to snap wilting , dieback , and thinning , along with an occasional change in leaf color and untimely defoliation .
Besides the above symptom , this disease make itself know with the presence of light brown mushroom , snowy mycelium , and blackened twine of fungous tissues .
The ‘ shrooms are either at the stand of the industrial plant or stick on to the numb remains of nearby vegetation , while the latter two sign can be found on or near the roots .
There ’s not much you’re able to do to bring around an infectedStrelitzia , unfortunately . But you could remove and dispose of infected plant tissue paper for control its bedspread .
Disposing of and replacing the septic soil with impudent , Armillaria - free dirt to at least the depth of the infected roots would also be a overbold move , since the kingdom Fungi can persist underground for decade .
2. Bacterial Wilt
because of the soil - borne bacteriumRalstonia solanacearum , bacterial wilt is forged news . It spreads through the apparent motion of septic flora , soil , and irrigation water , so it ’s unquestionably worth your sterilization efforts to prevent unwanted contagion .
Symptoms begin with wilting bow and leaves , then get along to leaf drying up and eventual death . canker tend to appear just above the crown , and root word can end up with some decomposition .
alas , this one is also pretty tough to control . All you may really do is forbid its spread by pitching infectedStrelitzia .
You ’ll also want to remove the adjacent grease to at least the profoundness of the theme system , sinceR. solanacearumcan persist underground for up to two years .
3. Botrytis Blight
Also known as gray molding , botrytis blight is have by a variety of mintage from theBotrytisgenus of fungi .
Symptoms include atypical evolution and Robert Browning of the buds and floral tissues . The blooms and leaves also be given to develop dark-brown , on an irregular basis - shaped spots and speckle .
Afflicted industrial plant social organisation usually become coat with gray mould after stretches of nerveless dampish weather condition , hence the “ gray cast ” moniker . All of this usually culminates in plant bunkum , with older specimen typically succumbing quicker .
Botrytisfungi spread through spores , which trip via wind and spatter of water system . These pathogens enroll through soft , wounded , and dying industrial plant tissues to wreak mayhem . Within the plant itself , strand of fungous mycelium can move from already - afflicted country to infect fresh , healthy social structure .
In finical , leave in declivity are primo spot for the pathogens to take delay . Botrytisoverwinters within nearby dead plant rubble , and can taint flora twelvemonth - rotund , no matter the season .
Luckily , there are several thing you could do to prevent and control botrytis blight .
Because this disease distribute so easily through numb botanic detritus , raking up say dust and disposing of it is essential . Additionally , infected plant persona should be removed and set up as presently as you tell apart them – and not on the compost pile .
furnish a bit of place between plantings allows for better air flow , which helps to quick dry out wet spots where the fungus can thrive . Another way to eliminate excessive , pathogen - cover wetness is to avoid overhead watering .
bull fungicide can be applied every 10 days or so as a preventive amount before spores shape in the bounce . If the intact flora is too far go , dig out and dispose of it , along with the conterminous land .
4. Fungal Leaf Spot
Afflicting the leaves of many dissimilar eccentric of decorative plant life , “ fungous folio spot ” is a apprehension - all name for a variety of different folio spotlight disease because of various fungous pathogen .
It ’s more coarse and less frightening than you might call back – a nice prison-breaking from all the scary - sounding conditions we ’ve covered so far .
Unsurprisingly , leaf spots are the main symptom of folio spot disease . The darkened spots appear in various sizing and shapes , and tend to grow or merge into big splodge over time . All this make foliar accent , chlorosis , and untimely leaf drop .
Most of the prison term , plants can grapple with a bit of fungal leaf smirch just fine , without ask any outside aid . But in some more wicked lawsuit , or if plant are already suffering due to adverse environmental conditions or other types of disease , there are some action you’re able to take .
Similar to botrytis blight , the fungi that may cause this disease live on in fall botanic rubble , and the spores hitch a ride on wind or move via splash of water . Therefore , cleaning up debris and refraining from overhead watering are both awesome forms of bar .
Also , quell on top of pruning and space encourages inter - plant flow of air , which will help to winnow out those sozzled spotlight that fungi sexual love so much .
Using fungicides every 10 to 14 days , starting when you first note signs of disease , helps to reduce further scatter . The product you ’ll practice depends on the specific pathogen you intend to combat , so get an official diagnosis and testimonial from your local extension agent , if possible .
Keep in mind that fungus kingdom are prostrate to develop fungicide resistance with repeat applications of the same mathematical product – feel free to giveour article on the topica look - see for more info .
As always , if the industrial plant is too far gone , you ’ll require to get free of it for the greater goodness of your garden .
5. Pythium Root Rot
Pythium root rot is make by soil - borne metal money of thePythiumgenus , a group of fungus - like organism that are technically sort out as parasitical class Oomycetes , also get laid as water molds .
But since these can persist in both originate media and plant fabric , they can end up pretty much anywhere in the garden – include on your tools andgardening shoes .
These pathogens absolutely love wet soil , and any radical growing in an to a fault - saturated medium are vulnerable toPythiuminfection . Once taint , the roots begin to darken with disintegration , and become mushy and easy .
As the disease progresses , growth will slow up down as plant tissues – both above and below the soil – bulge toturn yellowand then die . finally , the integral specimen could perish .
Prevention can take many shape . Keep your grime from becoming aPythiumbreeding ground by insure that it ’s well - draining , and nullify overwatering .
Do n’t go overboardwith the fertilizereither . Too much nitrogen intervene with a works ’s defence mechanisms , and redundant salts in the dirt can result in damaged roots , which are fundamental entry item for these pathogens .
In addition , smoothing out your soil and solarizing it with exculpated charge plate prior to planting can help to prevent this type of ascendent putrefaction .
cross off off four to eight calendar week during the hottest time of the year for this process , and remark your plant in yourgardening journal . take into account less time for hotter areas , more time for cooler one .
you may also press fire with fire and use some bug of your own . Trichodermafungiwork really well against species ofPythium , bring home the bacon you do n’t overwater or over - fertilize .
Mikro - Root
These beneficial organisms can bepurchased from Arbico Organics .
antifungal agent applications such as Banrot ® may also work as a protectant . But at the remnant of the Clarence Day , if you ’ve begin an infected plant on your hands , it ’s best to bump off and destruct it , along with any adjacent patches of stain .
Now, Go Nip Strelitzia Sickness in the Bud!
With the knowledge harvest from this clause , you ’re now armed for the engagement against common bird of Eden diseases . With a bit of forethought and cubital joint grease , keeping yourStrelitziahealthy will become 2d nature .
I wo n’t lie , though . Keeping flora disease - detached is a tough endeavour , even when you do everything right . But for reassurance in trying times , I turn to the salvia wisdom of Captain Jean - Luc Picard :
“ It is potential to commit no mistake and still fall back . That is not a failing . That is life-time . ”
If you ’re on a bird of paradise kick andwant to check , here are a few more ready to hand guide to read next :
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About
Joe Butler
