What Is Wrong With My Heliconia?

Are there any small, round reddish brown spots with white to grey centers on the upper surface of the leaves?

Have the rhizomes rotted?

Are the plants stunted and die prematurely?

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

Are the roots dark brown, the plant is wilting, yellowing, and dying?

Are there any brown superficial lesions on peduncles and bracts?

These symptoms indicate Alternaria leaf spot. This disease is worse in warm, wet, or very humid weather. Spray infected plants with copper and/or sulfur to prevent further disease development. Plant only pathogen-free seed from a reputable nursery.

Rhizome Rot (caused by Cylindrocladium floridanum) causes Heliconia rhizomes to decay and stems to rot at the base of the plant. Discard damaged roots. Plantings should be regularly thinned and re-planted to improve vigor. The fungi are best controlled through the selection of healthy rootstock.

These symptoms are most likely caused by fungal disease - Basal Rot (Cylindrocladium floridanum). This disease attacks when soil temperatures are around 65 to 75°F. Discard any diseased plants to avoid infecting healthy ones. Maintain moderate temperatures. Avoid wounding plants.

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

These symptoms indicate a fungal disease - Pythium Root Rot. Do not overwater plants. Remove affected plants and their roots, and discard surrounding soil. Plant only in the pasteurized soil. Hold back on fertilizing too. Keep hose ends off the ground. Apply a copper-based fungicide to protect plants.

Abrasion due to wind causes brown superficial lesions on peduncles and bracts. Incorporate windbreaks to protect Heliconia from winds, for example, native timber, palms, and/or Barna grass.

Yellow, stunted plants and roots that have swollen galls indicate root-knot nematodes. Other symptoms are plants wilting during bright, hot days. Prevent root-knot nematodes by applying chitin or introducing parasitic nematodes to the soil before planting. Solarizing the soil also helps in preventing root-knot nematodes.