Ficus Decora Problems
Ficus decora, also known commonly as rubber plant, has glossy rubber-like leaves and thrives as an indoor or outdoor plant. If well cared for, rubber plants suffer from very few problems. However, if they are weakened in any way, they become susceptible to several illnesses. Does this Spark an idea?
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Diseases
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Two possible diseases that can afflict rubber plants are anthracnose and powdery mildew. Anthracnose is caused by a fungus and produces greasy spots on the surfaces of the leaves. Powdery mildew creates a dusty white coating on the leaves of infected plants. Manage both diseases by applying fungicides and pruning away infected leaves and debris.
Insects
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Insects that attack rubber plants include thrips and mealybugs. Thrips are small winged insects that cause a silvery gray scarring on the underside of the leaves, leaf curl and leaf drop. Mealybugs are white insects that colonize on the underside of the leaves. Signs of an infestation include drooping and cotton-like masses on the stems of the leaves.
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Cold Injury
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Rubber plants can get a disease known as cold injury when grown in cold climates. When the temperature reaches below 40 degrees Fahrenheit consistently, rubber plants can get irregularly shaped brown spots on the leaves. To control this disease, bring outdoor plants inside during the winter and indoor plants should be kept away from air-conditioned locations.
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