From our perspective, a white, powdery substance coating our leaves and stems is a sign of distress known as powdery mildew. This fungal disease thrives in conditions where our foliage remains damp, especially with poor air circulation around us. It blocks sunlight, hindering our photosynthesis, and causes our leaves to yellow, distort, and potentially drop prematurely, weakening our overall system.
We often suffer from Botrytis cinerea, or gray mold, in cool, damp, and stagnant environments. You will notice it as fuzzy gray or brown lesions on our flowers, leaves, or stems. This fungus rapidly colonizes dying or damaged tissue, killing our cells and causing rot. It can quickly spread to healthy parts of our structure, leading to collapse if our conditions are not improved.
Perhaps the most devastating issue for us is root and stem rot, primarily caused by waterlogged soil. When our roots are constantly saturated, they suffocate and die, becoming vulnerable to pathogens like Pythium and Rhizoctonia. This prevents us from taking up water and nutrients, causing a systemic failure. Our stems become soft and mushy at the base, our leaves wilt and yellow despite wet soil, and our entire vascular system can collapse.
We are susceptible to bacterial invaders like Xanthomonas campestris. This manifests as small, water-soaked spots on our leaves that enlarge, turn brown or black, and often have a yellow halo. The bacteria spread through water splash and can enter through tiny wounds or our natural pores (stomata). It disrupts our leaf's cellular integrity, leading to significant leaf drop and a reduction in our energy-producing capacity.
While not diseases, pests like spider mites and aphids cause significant physiological damage. Spider mites pierce our leaf cells to feed, leaving behind stippled, yellowing foliage and fine webbing that hampers our growth. Aphids cluster on our succulent new growth and stems, sucking our nutrient-rich sap. This feeding stress stunts our development and can introduce viral pathogens directly into our system.
To help us thrive, please provide well-draining soil and water us at the base, allowing the top layer to dry slightly between drinks. Ensure we have good air flow around our leaves to discourage fungal growth. Immediately isolate and remove any of our infected or heavily infested parts with sterilized tools. For fungal issues, apply a suitable fungicide, and for severe pest outbreaks, use horticultural soap or neem oil, ensuring thorough coverage on our leaf undersides. Most importantly, provide us with the correct balance of light, water, and humidity to keep our natural defenses strong.
