Brown leaves on plants, what do they mean?

Plants may have dry leaves in autumn

Plants may have dry leaves in autumn

The leaves can convey many messages about the health of the plant. They are the most vulnerable to unfavorable conditions, and therefore the first to react when something is missing or excess.

Therefore, it is important to know why do brown leaves appear on plantsWell, this way we can find out what we can do so that the problem does not get worse.

There are many reasons why a plant can end up with brown leaves. Knowing the causes is important, since this way you will know what to do to correct the problem and, also, to prevent it from happening again:

Old age

The leaves, even those of evergreen plants, are renewed from time to time. This is a natural process that will always start with the lowest leaveswhich are the ones that have been in the plant the longest.

Of course, this cause should not worry us at all. Depending on the species, it will take more or less for them to turn brown and fall. For example, those of cold-climate conifers, such as Long-lived pinethey can stay green for years; but those of Brachychiton populneus they only live a few months.

Resting Time

Deciduous trees lose their leaves

Deciduous trees lose their leaves.

Deciduous or semi-deciduous plants are those whose leaves turn brown at some time of the year (it can be in autumn-winter in temperate regions, or shortly before or after the start of the dry season in tropical and subtropical regions), and then fall. Is It is a survival strategy that we should not give too much importance toWell, it is natural.

Lack of water

When a plant is suffering from a lack of water, the leaves will begin to turn brown from the newest to the oldest leaves, from the tip inwards.

To get it back, it will be enough to water a lotuntil the water comes out through the drainage holes or until the earth is well soaked, for which if it is in a pot, what will be done is to put it in a basin with water and leave it for about 30 minutes.

The soil does not hold water

If we irrigate but the water we see that it is difficult to filter, that it is difficult for it to penetrate the ground or that it goes towards the edges instead of going inwards, then the earth is either so dry that it is unable to retain the water, or that the mixture we have used is not correct.

Therefore, if we have the potted plant we have to take it and put it in a basin with water; instead, if it is planted in the garden, it is highly recommended to make a tree grate (a kind of low barrier around with earth that will prevent the water from being lost).

The roots have problems

The root system needs to be in a soil that allows it to have a good development. But when this is not the case, that is, when the ground is too compact or too wet, they can be damaged. This we can know if the leaves turn yellow or if they fall, and if growth stops. To avoid losing it, we can do several things:

  • Potted plant: we will take it out and wrap the earth bread with absorbent paper for 24 hours. If the next day it is still wet, we will remove the paper and put a new one on it one more day. Then we plant it back in the pot and don’t water for 2-3 days.
  • Plant in the garden: the ideal is not to water until the soil is dry. It can also help to prune it a bit to reduce its water needs.

Burns

… In outdoor plants

There are plants that want sun, others shade, and then there are others that prefer to be in an area where the star king only gives them a few hours. But even the former, even if they are genetically prepared to withstand the impact of the sun’s rays, have to acclimatize before.

With this in mind, Even if you buy a cactus for example, or any other plant that wants sun, if in the nursery they had it in shade you have to get used to it little by little; that is, you have to expose it for one or two hours every day in the sun, early in the morning. Increase the exposure time gradually, from week to week.

… In indoor plants

Although it may not seem like it, indoor plants can also get sunburned. This occurs when they are placed next to a window, since what is known as the magnifying glass effect occurs, destroying the cells of the most exposed part of the leaf, causing it to turn brown.

For this reason, you have to find a room where there is clarity, but always trying to avoid placing them right in front of the window.

Pests or diseases

Sometimes, especially when a plant is being affected by some fungal disease, the leaves can turn brown. Thus, it doesn’t hurt to check them from time to timeWell, that way we can see if there is an insect that is harming it, or if it may have an infection.

The most common pests are: Red spidermealybugs White fly and thrips. All of them can be treated with ecological insecticides, such as diatomaceous earth (for sale here!) or potassium soap (for sale here!).

As for diseases, the most common are: powdery mildew, mildew, fusariosis and anthracnose. As they are caused by fungi, they have to be fought with fungicides, those with copper or sulfur being highly recommended.

The leaves turn brown for some reason

The leaves turn brown for some reason

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Brown leaves on plants, what do they mean?

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