How to keep gloxinia from curling leaves?
Gloxinia is beautiful not only during flowering, when large multi-colored inflorescences are revealed on a small bush, similar to delicate bells or graceful roses. The flower looks no less beautiful without buds with its gorgeous leaves, velvet and pleasant to the touch. However, flower growers often notice that the once even leaf plates begin to take on a bizarre shape - they either curl slightly, or literally curl almost into a tube, or bend down so that they directly embrace the flowerpot.
There may be several reasons why gloxinia leaves curl:
- violation of the rules of care;
- the appearance of pests on the flower.
Care problems
Gloxinia is a rather capricious plant, it reacts very sharply to almost any violation of the conditions of detention, and this is primarily reflected in the leaves.
Leaves can start spinning as a result:
- The room temperature is too low or too high. The optimal temperature regime for gloxinia should not go beyond 18-22 degrees Celsius.
- A sharp drop in temperature, for example, if the plant is taken out to the balcony too early for the summer.
- Dry indoor air, especially in winter. In this case, you should spray the flower more often or place it on a tray of water.
- Lack of lighting. The stretching of the plate can also be added to the curling of the leaves.
- Excess light. Under direct rays, gloxinia not only wraps itself up, but also becomes covered with ugly burn spots.
Despite the fact that gloxinia loves fresh air, it is necessary to exclude drafts, from which the leaves also curl up, as if defending themselves.
By adjusting the conditions of detention gloxinia, you can save the flower. Of course, you won't be able to straighten the leaves, but the new ones will grow absolutely healthy and normal.
What pests does the flower react to by folding the leaves?
If the conditions for keeping gloxinia are maintained, but the problem is still visible, it is worth taking a magnifying glass and carefully examining the flower for the presence of "inhabitants". Leaf curling occurs as a result of gloxinia lesion:
- Cyclamen tick. Lives on the back of the leaves and drinks their juice. The accumulation of mites on the side looks like dust. In addition to leaves, stems also suffer (also spin) and buds (wither and fall off).
- Thrips. Small individuals feed on sap from all parts of the plant. Light spots appear on the leaves, and then they spin and dry out.
To get rid of pests, Gloxinia must be treated with insecticides three times, taking a week break between each procedure. Such drugs have proven themselves well, like Actellic, Decis, Aktara.