What Is Wrong With My Aluminum Plant?

Are there any small translucent spots on leaves, spots later turn black?

Do the leaves have moist or brown spots on them?

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

Does your plant suddenly wilts and dies?

Do the leaves and stems have white, cottony clusters on them?

Bacterial leaf spot causes circular translucent spots scattered over the leaf surface between the veins. These spots turn brownish-black and may spread to form large patches of dead tissue. To prevent the spread of this disease, avoid working around wet plants. Remove and destroy affected parts. Spray Bordeaux mix on remaining plants.

Your Aluminum plant might be suffering from Anthracnose or some other fungal leaf spot. Spots may enlarge rapidly, especially in wet weather. Destroy infected leaves or plants. Spray plants with sulfur to prevent the disease from spreading, especially if the weather is wet. Prevent problems by thinning plants to provide good air circulation.

These symptoms indicate a fungal disease - Pythium Root Rot. Remove and dispose of any affected plants. Do not overwater plants. Pot in the pasteurized soil mix. Apply a copper-based fungicide to protect plants.

Southern blight and Rhizoctonia blight are fungal diseases that can infect Aluminum plants. Rhizoctonia blight can be treated with a copper-based fungicide. However, southern blight is mostly untreatable and infected plants should be destroyed.

White, cottony clusters on leaves and stems are caused by mealybugs. These tiny insects are covered with a fluffy white coating. They feed by sucking plants sap. They produce sticky substance honeydew which makes leaves sticky. You can control them by washing them off the plant with water spray. Insecticidal soap should be used with severe infestations.

Spider mites are known to cause problems for Aluminum plants. The leaves get discolored, and fine webbing is usually present. Hose off plants when symptoms first appear. A strong stream knocks mites off plants and may give control. Introduce predatory mites. For severe infestations, spray plants with insecticidal soap or pyrethrin.