Why Does My Gloxinia Look Unhealthy?

Are there any small, dark brown to black irregularly shaped spots formed at the leaf base of seedling, on older plants, flower stalks are short and wilted?

Do the small water-soaked lesions form on damaged petioles and spread to leaf blades?

Are there small tan, sunken areas formed on leaf tips and margins, spots become dry and dull black?

Did the petioles of lower leaves developed darkened spots?

Are the roots dark brown, plants wilt, yellow, and die?

Do the crowns and roots have a dark, water-soaked appearance that spreads to petioles and leaf blades?

Are the leaves covered in coarse stippling and may appear silvery?

Are the leaves dwarfed, thickened, and wrinkled?

Are the leaves curled and yellow?

These symptoms indicate boron deficiency. Young plants wilt and die as the browning spreads up the leaf blade. Apply boric acid (16.5% boron), borax (11.3% boron) or Solubor (20.5% boron) to the soils to correct boron deficiency.

These symptoms indicate fungal disease - Botrytis blight. You can prevent Botrytis blight disease by planting in areas with good air circulation. Water plants sparsely. Severely infected plants should be removed. Spray weekly with a copper fungicide until the disease is under control.

These symptoms indicate Foliar nematodes. These microscopic roundworms overwinter in soil or plant debris, then travel up a plant's stem in the film of water created by spring rains. Remove and destroy infested plants and the surrounding soil and do not compost the debris. Rotate plantings and mulch in spring to keep nematodes from climbing up plants. Avoid wetting leaves when watering.

Myrothecium Rot is a fungal disease caused by Myrothecium roridum. Darkened spots enlarge down the stems and make them brittle. Plant only in the pasteurized soil mix. Maintain moderate temperatures and low humidity. Apply a copper-based fungicide to protect plants.

These symptoms indicate a fungal disease - Pythium Root Rot. Do not overwater plants. Pot in the pasteurized soil mix. Keep hose ends off the ground. Apply a copper-based fungicide to protect plants.

These symptoms indicate fungal disease Phytophthora Crown Rot. Young plants die quickly. Rhizomes of mature plants resprout but eventually succumb. Do not propagate from infected plants. Plant only in the pasteurized soil mix. Destroy infected plants. Apply a fungicide to protect plants.

These symptoms indicate thrips. Thrips are tiny, yellow to black flying insects. They hide under the leaves. Severely infected plant parts should be removed and destroyed. Control thrips by introducing lady beetles or lacewings, their natural predators. Insecticidal soap helps in severe infestations.

Cyclamen mites are translucent, and almost microscopic insects that infest the new leaf and blossom buds. Infested plants do not bloom, or blossoms may be misshapen. Cyclamen mite is not easily controlled when mature plants are badly infested: effective miticides are not available to homeowners, so a commercial applicator may be required for effective miticide applications.

Distorted, curled leaves are caused by aphids. These tiny insects cluster under leaves and on growing tips where they feed on plant sap. Leaves, stems, and buds get distorted, and later leaves and flowers drop from the plant. You can control them by washing them off the plant with water spray. Insecticidal soap should be used with severe infestations.

Several viruses are known to infect gloxinia. These viruses include tobacco mosaic, tomato ringspot, and impatiens necrotic spot virus. Symptoms of viral diseases are downwardly cupped, mottled, or strap-shaped leaves, and leaves with lines or ringspot patterns. Control thrips and aphids. Destroy all infected plants and eliminate weeds within the growing area.