The rubber industrial plant ( Ficus elastica ) has been a favorite classic garden plant and houseplant way back from the Victorian geological era . Nothing break up the lucullan , vibrant , sheeny green tone of your rubber flora , quite like the bearing of unsightly dark-brown spots .
No matter how you rationalize it , ‘ brown ’ is not the ‘ raw green . ’ Thankfully , I am here to aid you diagnose the return and show you how to nurse your rubber flora back to health .
How to Get Rid of Brown Spots on Rubber Plant leaves : Prune aside diseased or hard pretend foliage so that gullible , respectable foliage can thrive . apply pruning shears or scissor grip and disinfect with alcohol between trims . You should also remedy watering , lightheaded , humidness , temperature , pests / disease , and other conditions that cause chocolate-brown smudge .
Before I take the air you through the various potential causes and treatment options , rent ’s lecture about where these spots are plant and how they appear .
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What Portions of the Plant Are Infected?
Rubber plants are currently hot and voguish for their charming personality , graphic symbol , and beaut . That ’s why it can be spunk - wracking to see them freckle with brown daub .
These are dark dark-brown patches or blotches , prominently on the leaves . The browning usually starts from the leaf tips and edges . And calculate on the cause , they can bug out as small chocolate-brown spots on the nerve centre or near the border .
Some cuss and disease may attack the base of the leaf . Some may appear where the leaf get together the bow . In either case , you may see dark-brown smear on the leaf underside and stem .
If the issue is n’t allot with in the early stages , brown spots will appear on Modern leaves , shoots , and new stems .
What Causes Brown Spots on Rubber Plants?
Rubber Plant Algal Leaf Spot
The golosh plant life algal leaf spot is because of parasitic algae calledCephaleuros virescens . It expand in warm , humid atmospheric condition . It ’s sometimes known as dark-green scurf .
The leaf post disease is characterized by small rough , mesh - corresponding brown smirch on the leaf of your safety flora . They can be pale green , gray , or orange . These small spot can boom and merge into larger brown blotches .
Luckily , algal leafage maculation is seldom a lethal disease . Instead , the damage is commonly ornamental , and organic restraint methods should be enough .
promote dry parting by pruning excess leaf , ameliorate aeration , and spacing out your houseplants . Also , avoid overhead watering – instead , water at the base or habituate ego - watering mint .
Remove and discard diseased or all in parts of your natural rubber plant
Ensure your industrial plant is healthy so that it can fend off infections . body of water , feed and provide light as needed . Ensure the dirt is well - drained , aerate , and productive .
If the infection is too severe , implement copper - based fungicide or Bordeaux mixture semiweekly until you get rid of the algal leaf spots .
Alternaria
Alternaria is a fungal disease that leaves plaque - like spot on the parting of your rubber plant .
Alternaria is a fungal disease that leave alone brass - like spots on the leaves of your condom industrial plant . They often begin as modest ( around half - column inch in diam ) dark circular brown point . They may exchange in color as they open from grim brown or contraband to gray or tan , usually encircled by yellow halos around the outside .
Anthracnose
Anthracnose is one of the most severe fungal disease that can affect your rubber plant . It ’s caused byColletotrichum , which blooms in moist conditions .
When Anthracnose infects your gumshoe plant , you will see reddish - brown or tan wound along the veins . The infect areas will die and drop in , leading to the following symptoms :
Septoria Leaf Spot
If you leave your Ficus elastica in wet , humid condition for long , it may develop Septoria foliage spots . This is a fungal disease characterized by small , maverick ( about 1/8 - 1/4 - in in diam ) brown topographic point on both leaf tiptop and undersides . ( Source : Iowa State University )
Downy Mildew
Downy mildew usually inflicts synthetic rubber plants in cool , humid condition . It should n’t be fuddle with powdery mould . You ’ll rarely see the disease during cheery weather .
Downy mildew often emerge as colonies on the underside of your rubber plant leave . As such , you will see spots cover with bluish - gray , purplish , off-white , or bluish cotton wool - similar fungus .
As the mildew spores dig lock into the leaf from beneath , the top of the leaves will appear yellow or off-white . With metre , they will form a fuzzy software on the leaves . Further damage will result in brown spots .
There are a slew of alien when it number to controlling downy mildew . Your best bet is to isolate the affect rubber plant to prevent the spread .
you may utilize horticultural fossil oil like neem oil to prevent the spread and colonization of other leaf in the other stages . Use a fuzz - based fungicide to combat any colonies ; spray once every seven to ten days .
For serious cause , use stronger chemical substance fungicides .
Powdery Mildew
Although dauntless , natural rubber plants sometimes draw powdery mildew . The fungous pathogen that causes the disease love strong , humid environment .
The first and obvious house of powdery mold is the maculation of dust-covered light gray or white growth on the root word and leaf of your rubber eraser flora . These powdery blotch actually start budding from the bottom of the leaves .
Bacterial Blight of Ficus Elastica
Bacterial blight on most Ficus elastic works is cause by Xanthomonas sp . It commonly impact younger plants and newer emergence . The disease oftentimes in summer temperatures of 78 - 86 ° F ( 26 - 30 ° ampere-second )
The bacterial blight starts out on nigh leafage edges as tiny , watery , circular lesion skirt by maverick borders . This is a systemic disease that will spread over one to two week . During this fourth dimension , the lesions will flesh out and merge into large blotches .
Ultimately , the lesions will become necrotic and turn brown . The leaves will then shrivel up and fall off untimely . These symptoms are usually seeable in attender , newer , and older foliage .
Root Rot
If you find brown spots trimmed in a chickenhearted halo , the matter with yourrubber plant is root rotdue to overwatering . Even if the surface soil is osseous tissue ironical , the roots may be sitting in muddy or soggy territory .
The dark-brown spots will persist even if you ’ve improved lighting , humidness , temperature , and other emergence conditions . A Sulky - looking appearance and stunted growth may be present . The brown - spotted leafage will turn yellow , wilt , and free fall .
look into the beginning ball for signs of decay . If root rot is present , the otherwise glistening white root will be cushy , mushy , and dark brownness or black in color . They will also give off a stinking olfactory sensation .
Nutrient Deficiency
If you notice chocolate-brown spots on your Ficus elastica , it could be lack major nutrients like atomic number 7 , phosphorus , atomic number 12 , or K . They ’re required for robust wellness and growth .
Edema On Rubber Plant Leaves
A physiological consideration , oedema , happens when yourrubber plant absorbs too much waterfaster than it can use . At first , you will notice water - soaked raised spots on the leaf undersurface . However , the cell will finally rupture , leading to common - texture brown spots .
The water - soaked spots can take a black , yellow , or reddish - brown chromaticity with a cork - same grain .
The characteristic synthetic rubber tree milky sap may leak out out . When it dries , it will result more brown spots .
Usually , the force of edema ca n’t be overturn or cure . However , you’re able to prevent your rubber flora from further effects of dropsy by :
Excess Light/Scorching
Rubber plants prefer bright ( not blistering ) , collateral Christ Within . However , too much lite , specially direct sun , will cause your Ficus to sunburn and develop chocolate-brown spots .
Sunburns can also result from seasonal changes in unclouded intensity . For example , your rubber tree may have been prosper in a Confederate States - facing window in colder atmospheric condition . But when the spring or summer sun kicks in , they can well scorch .
Generally , scorch rubber plants will manifest as burned brownish spots . However , look out for other symptom of scorch .
Move yourficus elasticaaway from the source of sear lighting . It ’ll do well in a spot that receives lot of burnished , collateral , or filtered light , preferably an east - facing window .
Perhaps you could place it near a west - front or to the south - look window with a sheer mantle to sink in out intense ultraviolet illumination ray .
Frost Damage
As a tropic plant , Ficus elastica is n’t too keen on exposure to temperatures below 40 ° F ( 4 ° C ) . Cold injury is detrimental to your India rubber plant life ’s health and growth .
Damage from cold drafts and frosts will stimulate young and warm foliage to look puckered or distorted at first . Over time , large chocolate-brown spots will develop on both older and New leaves .
The barque of your tree may also start to pare or crack due to inhuman hurt .
Move yourFicus elasticaaway from story vents , line conditioners , open up window , and other sources of frosty drafts . Also , do n’t leave it outside when the temp is probable to drop down below 40 ° F ( 4 ° C ) . Remove and dispose any to a great extent frosted - damaged parts .
Low Humidity
If your golosh plant folio have become embrown , crispy , and dry , you may want to check the humidity leave in your elbow room . This is especially notice during winter when our habitation are drier and hotter .
Apart from brown spot , other signs of low humidness let in :
The best answer is to ensure relative humidity of 40 % to 50 % . For the best results , seat in a honest digital hygrometer ( or a multipurpose meter ) and set it close to your flora .
align humidity level using a water tray with pebbles , misting , or a humidifier
Insect Infestation
A potent blast of water usually can wash these insects off your rubber plant . Be certain to rub stirred areas with an inebriant - containing cotton wool clod .
Spray with neem oil , insecticidal soaps , or any other non - toxic horticultural oils .
Watering Problems
If you see brown spots and summit on your rubber tree , the problem is most probable due to unlawful watering . If the soil is ivory - teetotal , the leaf tips and edges turn dark-brown and wilt . The rest of the foliation will also come after with wilting , drying , and browning .
When overwatered , Ficus elastica will evolve lily-livered , brown , or pale green leaves . Eventually , they will recrudesce large watery blotch , wilt , and fall off untimely . Dropping , stunted maturation , and soggy grunge are other signs of overwatering .
Fertilizer Burn
Overfertilizing will result in a table salt body-build - up in the soil . The salinity will stymy etymon subprogram and cause leaf harm , causing leaves to acquire dark-brown spots .
How to Prevent Brown Spots on Rubber Plant
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