What is wrong with my Pentas?

Are the flowers of your Pentas covered with gray mold, while the leaves may be blotched or discolored?

Are there any yellow and wilting leaves, brown streaks appear on a lower surface of leaves, the growth is stunted?

Are the leaves yellowing, wilting and, dying?

Are the leaves discolored, fine webbing may be present?

Are the leaves curled and distorted?

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

Gray mold on flowers is probably caused by 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.

Fusarium wilt is a fungal disease that causes these symptoms in Pentas. High soil temperatures favor the disease emergence. Use only disease-free seed. Treat seeds with hot water to kill fungi before planting. Destroy affected plants at the first sign of fusarium. Rotate crops to nonsusceptible species.

Yellow leaves that wilt and die usually indicate Root rot. Several pathogens cause root rots of seedlings as well as mature plants. Poorly drained, overly wet soil promotes rot so choose well-drained sites and add organic matter to improve drainage. Remove and destroy infected plants. Solarize the soil before replanting.

Spider mites are known to cause problems for Pentas. 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.

Distorted and 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.

These symptoms may indicate thrips. Thrips are tiny, yellow to black flying insects. 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.

If your plant is stunted with yellow leaves and tiny insects are present, the culprits are whiteflies. These tiny, mothlike flies and their larvae feed by sucking plant juices. Whiteflies secrete honeydew, a sugary substance that makes leaves sticky to the touch. Control whiteflies by eliminating garden weeds and by introducing green lacewings in the garden. Spray infested plants with insecticidal soap every 3 days for 2 weeks.