Olive trees and the houseplant Monstera in particular are attacked by the fungi that trigger eye spot disease. The disease needs to be treated, because not only does it not look pretty visually, but the whole plant suffers from it.
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Recognize eyespot disease
Eye spot disease is a fungal infestation that is not uncommon in our latitudes. The disease is also known as peacock eye, due to the appearance of necrotic spots on the leaves, resembling an eye, and in many cases even a peacock eye. The fungus Spilocaea oleagina is to blame for the disease . The following symptoms indicate an infestation:
- usually in spring or early summer
- first attack on leaf tip
- small stains
- grow fast
- round spots
- bright with dark edges
- Leaves are dropped
- after that the branches die off
Monstera
In the case of the Monstera with the large leaves that sit directly on the trunk, an infestation is characterized as follows:
- Peacock spots on leaves
- also on the stems
- Leaf turns yellow
- dies out over time
- new leaves that have not yet unfurled are also affected
olive tree
The infestation of the olive tree , in turn, is shown by the following characteristics:
- spots on leaves
- Leaves turn yellow over time
- dry up and turn brown
- are dropped
- no new leaves grow back
- Branch dries up over time
treat garden plants
Eye spot disease is very infectious and persistent. Spores can be carried by the wind, for example, and survive several winters in the surrounding soil. Treatment is therefore important, otherwise the affected plant will die after some time. But there is also a risk of infection for the surrounding plants. You should therefore initiate the following immediate measures:
- remove all affected leaves
- also cut affected branches
- check other surrounding plants
- Generously remove soil around the olive tree
- treat with fungicide or household remedy
- also earth and other surrounding plants
- Dispose of plant parts and soil in the residual waste
- do not put on compost
- This allows the fungus to spread throughout the garden
Treat indoor or potted plants
Indoor plants, such as the decorative Monstera, can also be attacked by the fungus. Here the treatment looks a little different so that the disease does not spread to surrounding plants and the affected plant can also be saved:
- Remove Monstera from location
- put in quarantine
- prune all affected leaves
- repot
- remove all old soil
- also clean roots
- Wash the pot well with vinegar water
- possibly change
- treat with a fungicide or household remedy
- Also check surrounding plants
home remedies
Even if the use of chemicals in the garden and household should of course only be the last resort, the copper-based fungicides that are commercially available against the disease are usually the better means in this case. If you still want to use home remedies against the fungus or have only found a small infestation so far, you can easily prepare the following remedy:
- part whole milk
- nine parts water
- put in spray bottle
- spray regularly on leaves
- Lactic acid bacteria fight the fungus
Prevent
Excessive wetness and moisture is the number one cause of infestation for most fungal diseases, including eye spot disease. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to the following when preventing:
- Set the plants far enough apart
- Leaves can dry better after rain
- don’t cultivate in a corner
- humid air accumulates more easily here
- alternatively set up protected under a roof
- Never keep soil too moist
- always let it dry in between
- Sweep up fallen leaves or leaves immediately
- damp foliage can encourage fungi in the soil
frequently asked Questions
Decide on robust and resistant varieties when you buy them. This way you can avoid a multitude of problems right from the start.
Give your indoor plants home remedies on a plant basis, such as liverwort extract or horsetail decoction. This is how you strengthen the immune system of the plants.
