Why milkweed leaves may turn yellow and fall off, what to do for treatment

Euphorbia (this is the scientific name of the decorative flower) is a modest, unassuming plant. But some gardeners, especially beginners, do not take into account certain nuances of cultivation and care, and then wonder why milkweed leaves suddenly turn yellow and fall off.

Causes of foliage problems and what to do about it

Although the flower is not too capricious, this does not mean that it does not need any care. The main condition for growing indoor milkweed is location. Euphorbia leaves can get burned from direct sunlight, which means the shady side is more suitable. Drafts are just as dangerous as cold temperatures. Euphorbia is a heat-loving flower.

If the leaves turn yellow and fall off

It happens that the leaves of the plant turn yellow and fall off. The disease can cause yellowing.

By autumn, milkweed grows more slowly and begins preparing for winter. During this period, the leaves turn yellow. There is no need to be scared, as this is a normal natural phenomenon. The flower will relax, calm down, and by spring the young foliage will become even more magnificent. Euphorbia is characterized by the falling of the lower old leaves, and the new ones grow higher. But this is also not a reason for concern.

Throws off leaves

It happens that a flower sheds its leaves long before preparing for winter. This is a distress signal.

Sometimes a stressful condition can cause leaves to turn yellow and fall off:

• lack of fertilizers;
• lack of light;
• presence of drafts, cold weather;
• improper watering.

If these factors are excluded, however, sometimes this happens: the leaves wither, fall, obviously the problem is serious.

The stem and leaves wither

Euphorbia consumes a lot of useful raw materials from the ground in a short time, and then experiences a lack of nutrients, which can cause the stem to wither and the leaves turn yellow.

The flower needs constant feeding. It needs to be fed more often, at least twice a month, especially in winter.

The angle of the leaves has changed

If you care for milkweed incorrectly, its leaves will droop and bend. This means that the problem lies in the roots of the plant; they have rotted from excess moisture.To save euphorbia, it is transplanted:

1. Carefully take it out of the pot, inspect it, and cut off the rotten roots with a knife.
2. The cut areas are powdered with activated carbon.
3. At the same time, we must not forget about drainage from expanded clay or crushed stone.
4. Plant the spurge in a new pot with different soil.

When working with the plant, you must be careful and remember that the milk of the flower is poisonous. In case of contact with skin, may cause severe burns, irritation, and an allergic reaction..

In winter, euphorbia is not watered as often as in summer. After winter, the plant requires more moisture, increased watering is resumed.

What diseases and pests adversely affect the condition of leaves?

If all the conditions for maintaining milkweed and caring for it are met, but the flower still withers, withers, turns yellow, or falls off, it means that it is sick. Fungal and viral diseases can cause this condition.

Root and stem rot

The disease is noticeable by black dents on the stem. They appear just above ground level, enlarge, and spread along the stem. Later they get inside and destroy plant tissues. The stem breaks and the flower dies.

The following circumstances could lead to decay:

• overfeeding with nitrogen;
• frequent watering;
• high air temperature;
• lack of light;

To treat euphorbia in the early stages of the disease, systemic fungicides (Ridomil, Previkur) are used. They stop watering the flower and change the nutrient medium.

Gray rot

The causative agent of the disease is a fungus. Brown spots appear on the leaves of the plant, as if rotten. The spots grow and cover the entire leaf. High air humidity accelerates the development of the fungus, which is why the pathogen does not leave a healthy place on the leaves; they become gray.

The plant becomes infected through soil and water. In this environment the fungus lives for a long time.Circumstances that add to the threat of illness:

• air oversaturated with moisture;
• insufficient ventilation of the room;
• excess nitrogen in the soil.

Fungal disease is treated with systemic fungicides (Bona Forte, Bravo and others). As a preventive measure, to avoid disease, it is necessary to monitor air humidity and plant the plant in disinfected soft soil.

Rust

The surface of the leaves is covered with brown, rusty, oval-shaped layers. Then they connect and form rusty ribbons. Usually saffron milk caps appear on the inside of the leaves, or may be on the petioles. Occasionally, red ribbons appear on the stem of milkweed.

If the flower is not treated, it will die. Fungicides will help preserve milkweed. Proper watering and spraying of the plant will prevent rust from appearing.

Alternaria blight

The fungal disease is manifested by the appearance of large dark spots on the foliage of euphorbia. More often they attack depleted aged leaves. Excess humidity and too warm air increase the development of fungal infections. The source of the disease may be soil in which living pathogens are preserved.

“Skor”, “Ridomil Gold” are systemic fungicides that will cure the fungus if it has managed to infect the flower. Biological fungicides (Fitosporin, Baktofit and others) are used as preventive measures.

Bacteriosis

With this disease, spurge grows and develops poorly and does not bloom. The foliage and stem are covered with brown, rusty spots. Strange discharge with an unpleasant odor flows from the spots. Excess moisture and nitrogen in the soil contribute to the rapid development of the disease.

Euphorbia is handled with care, since it is through mechanical damage that the infection enters the plant.

Powdery mildew

Fungal disease.Foci with a fluffy dark gray coating appear on the leaves. Before this, the foliage dries out. The disease is contagious and the infection is spread by the wind. Too hot weather, dryness, and lack of moisture in the soil aggravate the situation. Proper care of milkweed will help prevent disease. If the flower is sick, it is treated with antifungal drugs (“Topaz”, “Fundazol”).

Tobacco mosaic

The causative agent of the disease is a virus. The infection is most often spread by whiteflies. Diseased leaves become deformed. Spots appear on the leaf plate: white, yellow and even reddish. As a preventive measure, they are treated with insecticides. The source of the disease can be infected cuttings. Planting healthy cuttings will get rid of the tobacco mosaic.

Red spider mite

The half-millimeter spider mite eats young milkweed foliage. It is small enough to see the harmful insect with the naked eye. The appearance of white, yellow spots on the leaves of the plant indicates the presence of a mite. Infected seedlings are separated from healthy ones, doused with a solution of laundry soap, which is rubbed on a fine grater.

For ticks, the plant is treated with acaricides, for example, “Aktara”. At the first sign of a tick, take immediate action, as insects spread quickly.

Aphid

Signs of the disease manifest themselves in changes in the shape of milkweed leaves, they curl, look underdeveloped, and ugly. Then they begin to turn yellow and fall off. The color disappears in some areas. The plant stops growing and developing.

Sometimes yellow and light green insects are collected by hand and can be seen with the naked eye. Branches with large lesions are removed. The flower is treated with “Fitoverm”, “Aktellik”, “Decis”.

Root mealybug

Parasites attack the root system of milkweed. They gather on the roots of the plant in colonies in the form of scattered flour. When the infestation is severe, the pests are visible.

The plant stops growing and developing. Euphorbia leaves turn yellow, dry out, and fall off.

At the first signs of the appearance of insects, in order to save the spurge, it is dug up by the roots, freed completely from the soil, and treated with insecticides. The bowl under the flower is disinfected and fresh soil is added. Before planting, the roots are carefully examined to see if there are any parasites.

Whitefly

Clusters of insect larvae can be observed on the inner underside of milkweed leaves. They live by feeding on the sap of plant cells. Appear as yellow and white marks. The leaves of the plant curl up, change from green to yellow, and die.

The whitefly offspring are greenish, and the adult parasite is white. The midge can be easily seen. Heavily infected areas are removed, and the spurge is treated with insecticides at least once every three days.

Mosquitoes on milkweed

The mosquitoes themselves are not dangerous to the flower. But they leave their larvae on the plant, which will feed on milkweed. The offspring of mosquitoes, although small (larvae 0.5 cm), pose a serious threat to young seedlings. Sick seedlings are separated from healthy ones. As a preventative measure, the soil is treated with insecticides. To get rid of mosquitoes, hang sticky tapes.

The reasons for yellowing and dying leaves lie in improper care. If you follow all the recommendations of gardeners, the threat of infection is minimal. In order for euphorbia to be healthy and delightful with flowering, it is necessary to regularly inspect the plant and take timely measures.