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Category: Problems, pests and diseases

Revive your struggling Swiss cheese plant with our expert tips and tricks. From proper watering to pest and disease prevention, we've got all you need to bring your plant back to life.
Swiss Cheese Plant Survival Guide: How to Revive a Dying Plant (Monstera)

Swiss Cheese Plant Survival Guide: How to Revive a Dying Plant (Monstera)

It’s often difficult to tell if you’ve really got a dying Swiss cheese plant on your hands. Wilting yellow leaves or soft mushy stems are not necessarily mean it’s too late to recover what looks like a dying plant. My guide leads you through troubleshooting the problems with your (dying) Monstera and helps you deal with them and help revive them. I have been growing Swiss cheese plants for over 20 years in the nursery. However, I’ve also grown them…

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How to identify and prevent root rot in orchids
Preventing and treating orchid root rot and crown rot

Preventing and treating orchid root rot and crown rot

The key to preventing and treating orchid root rot and crown rot is regulating the amount of water the orchids receive. Over-watering, which often leads to root and crown rot, is the number one cause of death of orchids kept inside the home. As its name suggests, orchid root rot starts in the root and can then move further up your orchid stem; then, it becomes crown rot. Here’s how from my own experience, I have managed to prevent and…

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How to identify and treat spots on orchid leaves
How to identify and treat spots on orchid leaves – brown or black

How to identify and treat spots on orchid leaves – brown or black

It’s worrying when you find spots on your orchid leaves. The spots may be brown or black or in transition between the two colours, with a few more thrown in. Here are three of the primary diseases – Botrytis, Black rot and Bacterial brown spot –  that cause spots on orchid leaves, how to recognise them and what to do about them. Botrytis on orchid leaves What is botrytis? Botrytis is a fungal disease that affects many plants. If your…

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If you want to know Why your orchid dropping blooms? It is likely to do with watering or light, to much or to little water are common reasons. Learn more
Why is my orchid dropping blooms?

Why is my orchid dropping blooms?

The reason that your orchid is dropping blooms ranges from the natural growth cycle through a change in temperature to orchid pests. I cover these and many more reasons in this article. Natural life cycle If you’ve just purchased your orchid, the blooms may be dropping because of the plant’s natural life cycle. It may have been forced to bloom to be sold and the flower is dying and falling off. Not all orchids flower for a long time. If…

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Why is my orchid wilting? Identifying problems and treatment
Why is my orchid wilting?

Why is my orchid wilting?

The two main reasons for your orchid wilting are water and heat – either an excess or shortage of each. Plus transplant shock from repotting your orchid plant can lead to its leaves wilting. Read on to determine which problem is plaguing your orchid and what to do about it. Water and moisture Over- and under-watering can both cause wilting Both over-watering and under-watering your orchid have the same effect on the plant. The leaves turn yellow, become wrinkled and…

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Why is my orchid stems turning brown
Why is my orchid stem turning brown?

Why is my orchid stem turning brown?

There’s nothing to worry about if your orchid stem is turning brown after the blooms fade away. This signals that the stem has finished supporting the life of the flower and it’s entered a period of rest. This is part of the natural life cycle of the orchid plant. Here’s what to do about the brown stem, and when it becomes a problem. Blooms have faded What to do with the brown stem Cut the brown, dried out stem back…

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Why is my orchid dying and how to revive it
Why is my orchid dying, and how to revive it?

Why is my orchid dying, and how to revive it?

First of all, don’t rush to the conclusion that your orchid is actually dying if it’s looking a bit poorly, or the leaves and flowers are dropping off, or there’s no new growth or blooms in sight. This guide helps you become a detective to identify the problems behind the orchid’s difficulties and perhaps put them right. Of course, sometimes you just have to throw the plant away and start over again for the most serious issues, but usually, you…

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Why is my orchid not blooming
Why is my orchid not blooming?

Why is my orchid not blooming?

Your orchid not blooming may be the result of a number of issues. These could be environmental (such as temperature), your standard of care (watering for example) or because of the type of orchid itself (its individual life cycle, perhaps). I cover the major elements to look at when your orchid is not producing blooms. Bloomed once and is not blooming again If your orchid is not reblooming and you expect it to, first of all check the variety of…

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Orchid Pests and Diseases and How to Identify and Treat Them
Orchid pests and diseases – How to identify, treat and prevention

Orchid pests and diseases – How to identify, treat and prevention

Orchids, just like any other plants, indoors or in the garden, are prone to pests and diseases. Orchid pests and diseases are nothing out of the ordinary and many can be controlled or treated. Here are the most common orchid pests and diseases, including scale insects and thrips, and sooty black disease. Before I talk about pests and diseases, sometimes people confuse pests and disease issues with environmental issues. If your orchid has yellow leaves, read this guide. If your…

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I often get asked why are my orchid leaves turning yellow? There are, in fact, many reasons and I list the 8 most common reasons. Learn more
Why are my orchid leaves turning yellow?

Why are my orchid leaves turning yellow?

Figuring out why your orchid leaves are turning yellow is going to take some detective work. Quite a few environmental reasons (e.g. watering, temperature) and some pests and diseases cause this problem with your orchid plant. I also have this guide on why orchid leaves sometimes turn brown. That said, here are the main reasons why this may be happening and what to do about them. Natural ageing process First of all, yellow leaves may be a part of the…

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