Pest and Diseases

The 6 Important Malabar Spinach Pests + Tested Ways to Detect and Control

The 6 Important Malabar Spinach Pests + Tested Ways to Detect and Control

Hi, are you a fan of kitchen gardens like me? I love growing Malabar spinach indoors and have it in a container at my house. As a horticultural consultant with a PhD in Plant Protection Science, I know that my Malabar spinach like any plant, can be affected by pests (tiny bugs on plants). Over time, I've dealt with several common pests and found ways to manage them effectively. Here's how I handle the most common ones: Spider Mites (Tetranychus spp.) on Malabar Spinach Identification: Spider mites are tiny arachnids, often red, yellow, or greenish. I usually spot them by…
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5 Common Malabar Spinach Diseases + True Tips to Control Malabar Spinach Leaf Spot Diseases 

5 Common Malabar Spinach Diseases + True Tips to Control Malabar Spinach Leaf Spot Diseases 

I grow malabar spinach in a pot at my house. As a horticultural consultant with a PhD in Plant Protection Science, I know that when growing Malabar spinach (Basella alba), I must be mindful of several common diseases and pests that can affect the plant. Even though Malabar spinach is a hardy plant, it can still fall prey to various issues, especially fungal diseases and nematode infestations. Here's how I manage some of the most common problems according to my experience: Malabar Spinach Leaf Spot Diseases 1- Leaf Blight (Alternaria alternata)     Symptoms: Dark, angular spots with concentric rings appear…
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White Spots on my Kumquat Leaves: 4 Reasons + Tested Solutions

White Spots on my Kumquat Leaves: 4 Reasons + Tested Solutions

I’ve noticed white spots on my kumquat leaves, as I have a PhD in Plant Protection Science, and work as a horticultural consultant, and based on what I’ve seen and researched, there are a few potential causes. Here’s how I’d approach it, let’s get going to discuss them: Mealy Bugs: White Spots on my Kumquat Leaves What It Looks Like: Mealybugs are small, white, cotton-like spots that I might see along the stems or on the underside of the leaves. These little pests suck the sap out of my tree, which can weaken it over time. What I’d Do: I’d start by…
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6 Reasons for Kumquat Leaf Drop + Tested and True Solutions

6 Reasons for Kumquat Leaf Drop + Tested and True Solutions

If my kumquat tree’s leaves are dropping, I’d consider a few possible causes to get to the bottom of it. Here's how I’d approach it: Environmental Stress or Shock What I Think Might Be Happening: If I’ve recently moved my kumquat tree from indoors to outdoors or changed its location significantly, it could be stressed by the sudden change. This is especially true if the tree is exposed to intense sun or heat after being indoors. What I’d Do: I’d give it time to adjust. If the tree was in the sun too much, I’d move it to a more…
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Kumquat Leaf Curl: Reasons and Resolves According to my Tests

Kumquat Leaf Curl: Reasons and Resolves According to my Tests

Hi, in this post I want to discuss one of the frequent problems in Kumquat trees. I’m a horticultural consultant with an indoor Kumquat tree in my house. If your kumquat tree’s leaves are curling, you should check a few things like pests, nutrient deficiency, and so on to figure out what's going wrong. Here are some common causes I would consider, along with steps I could take to fix it: Check for Pests or Diseases  First, I would carefully inspect the leaves for any pests, such as aphids, spider mites, or scale insects. These pests suck sap from the…
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Why Is My Indoor Hydrangea Dying? Stop it With my Pro Tips

Why Is My Indoor Hydrangea Dying? Stop it With my Pro Tips

Various factors can cause your indoor hydrangea to die. Most of them are because of your watering manner and drainage of its pot. However, insufficient light, pests and diseases are also involved in your indoor hydrangea dying. Before addressing this issue you need to make sure of one thing: “Is your plant dying or going dormant?” Most people confuse a dead hydrangea with a dormant one. I discussed it in my other post, please read it to help your dead (actually dormant) hydrangea come back after winter next year. Nevertheless, if you ensure your gift Hydrangea is dying, as a…
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Stem Rot in Jade Plant: Fix it According to My Tips

Stem Rot in Jade Plant: Fix it According to My Tips

As a horticultural consultant, I know three factors can cause stem rot in Jade plants: low soil oxygen, cold temperatures, and fungal and bacterial pathogens. In this post, I discuss all of these causal agents, so stay with me to detect and fix your Jade plant problem. Stem Rot in Jade Plant and Root Breathing Roots breathe like foliage. They absorb oxygen from the spaces between soil particles and release Co2 there. If roots cannot breathe, they will die and rot. In this situation, the stems will also rot. In the following, I listed conditions in which the roots cannot gain Oxygen from…
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Detect Fungus on Jade Plant and Treat it According to My Tips

Detect Fungus on Jade Plant and Treat it According to My Tips

The fungus can cause problems for your Jade plant, and some are causal agents of fatal diseases. For example, gery mold, powdery mildew, stem or crown wilt, and root rot are severe diseases that affect leaves, stems, and roots. Various fungi are responsible for the above diseases with different treatments to control them. So, to get rid of every fungus on your Jade plant, you must detect them correctly. Hi, I’m a horticultural consultant with a PhD in plant protection science. People often send me pics of sick plants and ask me about their problems. The Jade plant is a popular houseplant that can…
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Powdery Mildew on Jade Plant Diseases: Get Rid of it According to my Tests

Powdery Mildew on Jade Plant Diseases: Get Rid of it According to my Tests

Do you spot white fungus on your jade plant? It can be Powdery Mildew on Jade plant, a fungal disease associated with cool, humid conditions and lack of good air circulation. You cannot cure the infected leaves; you should pick them off and place them in the trash. However, you can control their extension on your jade plant and their spread to other plants. I’m a horticultural consultant who has a PhD in Plant Protection Science. So, keep reading to tell you how to get rid of and prevent Powdery Mildew on your Jade Plant according to my experience. First,…
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Baking Soda and Vinegar for Jade Plant Problems: Facts You Should Know

Baking Soda and Vinegar for Jade Plant Problems: Facts You Should Know

If you are a Jade plant parent and looking for a natural homemade fungicide for your Jade plant problems, join me in this post. After searching on Google, I found baking soda and vinegar for jade plant problems especially fungal diseases like powdery mildew, grey mold, and pests like aphids and fungus gnats. As I’m a horticultural consultant (I have a PhD in plant protection science), in this post, I want to discuss the vigor and hazards of using baking soda and vinegar in treating jade plants, I also will give you an instruction to use them. let’s get going.…
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