What Is Wrong With My Coral Tree?

Are the leaves small, discolored, and drop early, clusters of honey-colored mushrooms may sprout at the base of the plant?

Are the older leaves turning yellow and wilting, an overall decline in plant vigor is apparent?

Do the leaves have white, cottony clusters on them?

Are the leaves yellow and the plant looks weakened?

Is there a black, sticky residue on the plant, small, white, cottony insects are present?

Armillaria root rot is a fungal disease that cannot be effectively controlled once it has become established. Diseased or dead plants should be uprooted and removed. Planting resistant rootstocks is the most effective method of preventing the disease.

These symptoms indicate fungal disease Verticillium wilt. Verticillium infects a wide range of plant species. Affected branches can be pruned out. Severely diseased trees may need to be removed. The best way to avoid or combat the disease is to keep plants otherwise healthy, for infected trees are capable of recovering with proper cultural care. No fungicides are available to cure infected trees.

White, cottony clusters on leaves are caused by mealybugs. These tiny insects are covered with a fluffy white coating. They feed by sucking plants sap. They produce the 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.

Yellow leaves and stunted look are caused by 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.

Cottony cushion scales leave a black, sticky residue behind after feeding. Cottony cushion scale damages a tree by sucking sap from the leaves, twigs, branches, and trunk. Infestations can cause a tree to become defoliated and cause dieback of the tree. Scrape off minor infestations with your fingernail. Control scales by spraying insecticidal oil during the growing season.

Mineral deficiencies can cause tip chlorosis or necrosis or cause foliage to discolor, fade, distort, or become spotted, sometimes in a characteristic pattern that can be recognized to identify the cause. When nutrient deficiencies occur, nitrogen and iron are the most commonly seen deficiencies. Apply only the mineral found to be deficient. Excess nutrients, on the other hand, causes symptoms like leaf tip dieback, marginal leaf chlorosis, necrosis (or burn), branch dieback, and pest problems. In this case, you should provide good drainage, and use good practices during fertilization and irrigation.