5 Common Issues with Houseplants
In the appropriate conditions, keeping your houseplant happy and healthy may be a snap, but that doesn't mean you won't run into a few plant troubles along the road. There's a lot to think about when bringing in common houseplants, from plant issues by leaf to pests to illnesses to environmental concerns.
In today’s article, we shortlisted some of the most frequent issues and solutions so you can give your plant the best possible care and not to worry about anything else.
1. Yellow Leaves
It's perfectly normal for older plant leaves to become yellow and fall off as they age naturally. Your plant is likely receiving too much light if numerous leaves, including new growth, are turning yellow. If it gets better, try moving it to a location with indirect light. Your plant can get sunburned just like people can. Pale or white leaves are typically a sign of excessive light. Fertilizer burn can also result in leaf scorching. As the salt from softened tap water can build up in the soil, try applying less fertilizer or switching to distilled water.
2. Wilting and Burnt Leaves
This is a rather obvious indication that your plant is being overheated and may even be getting damaged by the strong light. Tropical plants, in particular, are vulnerable to sunburn and should be kept out of windows since the glass intensifies the sunshine. For many indoor plants, the afternoon light is very powerful and harmful. Diagnoses for wilt can be challenging, and sometimes it's too late to rescue your plant. By reducing the temperature, repotting in better soil, spraying to increase humidity, evaluating the soil for moisture or dryness, and altering watering practices appropriately, you can attempt to save your plant.
3. Root Rot
Even when the soil is entirely wet, plants with root rot will appear to be dehydrated because they are unable to adequately absorb moisture and nutrients from the soil. When it comes to this issue, prevention is unquestionably preferable to treatment, and the best strategies to prevent root rot are good drainage and frequent watering. It typically indicates that your houseplant has root rot if you've noticed that the roots are mushy and dark in color. It is crucial to take the required precautions to ensure that this doesn't happen because it might ultimately result in the plants wilting and dying.
4. Stretching
With light green leaves and a stretching motion toward the light source, plants that aren't getting enough sunlight are easy to spot. Finding the ideal level of light for your plant can be challenging during seasons with little sunshine, such as late fall and winter. If your plant has suddenly become abnormally tall or lengthy or sends out spindly stems reaching toward its light source, it's attempting to tell you that it needs more light. You may place the plant in your house properly based on the light requirements of your particular plant.
5. Leave Curling
When a plant is subjected to protracted drought or low humidity, this can happen. Unusual growth patterns are also frequently indicative of the presence of illness or insects. Look carefully if you notice curled or deformed leaves; you could find further insect signals or the insects themselves. It's probably an illness if you notice any black dots or fuzzy white areas. You can get assistance on how to treat the illness by bringing the afflicted plant to your neighborhood garden center. While some plants may simply be hosed off thoroughly to get rid of illnesses, others need a particular antifungal or antibacterial treatment.
So, how does frass benefit my houseplants?
Frass is an all-natural soil addition that may be obtained from a variety of sources. But what exactly is frass? It's the faeces of all kinds of insects. Many bugs are so minute that they go undetected, while others leave obvious indications of stomach waste behind. This residual product is high in nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus, and it's simple to mix into the soil.
Insect frass includes chitin in addition to nutrition. This is a crucial component in maintaining the strength of plant cell walls. Plants can defend themselves against pests and disease thanks to their thicker cell walls. Frass is a completely natural biopesticide and it's particularly good at two things — preventing both pests and harmful fungus.
If you are looking to purchase organic insect frass, you can check our Insect Feed Technologies Black Soldier Fly Organic fertiliser on Shopee and Lazada.