Common diseases of Podocarpus and their control methods

As a common ornamental tree species, Podocarpus is deeply loved by people for its graceful tree shape and unique temperament. However, Podocarpus will also be attacked by various diseases during its growth process, affecting its growth and ornamental value. Here we will talk about the common diseases and prevention methods of Podocarpus.

1. Leaf blight

1. Symptoms

Leaf blight mainly harms the leaves of Podocarpus. In the early stage of the disease, small light yellow spots will appear on the leaves. As the disease progresses, the spots gradually expand and turn into brown or gray-brown with darker edges. In severe cases, the leaves will dry up, fall off, or even the entire plant will die.

2. Causes

Leaf blight is usually caused by fungi. High temperature and high humidity environment, poor ventilation, weak plant growth and other factors can easily lead to the occurrence of leaf blight.

3. Prevention and control methods

(1) Strengthen maintenance and management: Keep the growth environment of Podocarpus rostratus well ventilated, avoid excessive watering, apply fertilizer appropriately, and enhance the plant's disease resistance.

(2) Remove diseased leaves: Find and remove diseased leaves promptly to reduce the spread of pathogens.

(3) Chemical control: In the early stage of the disease, fungicides can be used for spraying, such as benzopyraclostrobin, carbendazim, thiophanate-methyl, etc., once every 7-10 days, and spray 2-3 times in a row.

2. Anthrax

1. Symptoms

Anthracnose mainly harms the leaves and tender shoots of Podocarpus. Round or irregular brown spots will appear on the leaves, with grayish white in the center and dark brown edges. When the disease occurs on young shoots, long brown spots will appear, and in severe cases the young shoots will die.

2. Causes

Anthracnose is also caused by a fungus. Hot and rainy seasons, dense growth of plants, poor ventilation and other factors can easily induce anthracnose.

3. Prevention and control methods

(1) Strengthen cultivation management: Prune properly, keep the plants well ventilated and light-permeable, avoid excessive fertilization, and enhance the disease resistance of the plants.

(2) Eliminate the source of disease: promptly remove diseased leaves and branches and burn them in a centralized location to reduce the spread of pathogens.

(3) Chemical control: In the early stage of the disease, fungicides can be sprayed for prevention and control, such as myclobutanil, thiophanate-methyl, and carbotriol, once every 10-15 days, and spray 2-3 times in succession.

3. Powdery Mildew

1. Symptoms

Powdery mildew mainly harms the leaves of Podocarpus. In the early stage of the disease, small white powdery spots will appear on the leaves, gradually expanding into round or irregular white powdery spots. In severe cases, white powder will cover the entire leaves, causing them to turn yellow and dry.

2. Causes

Powdery mildew is caused by the fungus Erysiphe graminis. A warm and humid environment, poor ventilation, and dense growth of plants can easily lead to the occurrence of powdery mildew.

3. Prevention and control methods

(1) Improve the growth environment: increase ventilation, reduce humidity, and avoid overcrowding of plants.

(2) Timely pruning: Cut off leaves and branches that are seriously infected to reduce the spread of pathogens.

(3) Chemical control: In the early stage of the disease, fungicides can be used for spraying, such as triadimefon, tebuconazole, sulfur suspension, etc., once every 7-10 days, and spray 2-3 times in succession.

4. Root rot

1. Symptoms

Root rot mainly harms the roots of Podocarpus. In the early stage of the disease, brown water-soaked spots will appear on the roots. As the disease progresses, the spots gradually expand, the roots rot, and in severe cases the entire plant dies.

2. Causes

Root rot is usually caused by pathogens in the soil. Factors such as waterlogging in the soil, poor air permeability, and improper fertilization can easily lead to the occurrence of root rot.

3. Prevention and control methods

(1) Improve the soil: Choose loose, fertile, and well-drained soil for planting and avoid waterlogging.

(2) Reasonable fertilization: Avoid excessive fertilization, especially the application of nitrogen fertilizer, so as not to cause the plant to grow too tall and reduce disease resistance.

(3) Chemical control: In the early stage of the disease, fungicides can be used for root irrigation, such as benomyl and carbendazim.

That’s it