A leaf spot fungus on an avocado is usually caused by care errors. To prevent things from getting worse, you should react immediately if you notice typical symptoms of the disease in your Persea americana. Below are tips for detection and treatment.
How do I combat leaf spot fungus on avocados?
Isolate your avocado tree from other plants if possible so that the leaf spot fungus cannot spread. Cut off all affected plant parts generously and dispose of them with household waste, not compost. Disinfect the garden tool before and after.
How do I recognize leaf spot fungus on avocados?
Leaf spot fungus is characterized byirregular spots on the leaves of the avocado tree. These are typically brownish to black in color. However, sometimes they are yellowish with a dark purple edge. At the beginning of the fungal disease, the leaf spots appear as small dots. They get bigger over time. In addition, the fungal leaf spot disease on avocados is often accompanied by premature leaf fall.
What causes leaf spot fungus on avocados?
Here is an overview of the conditions that promote leaf spot fungus in avocados:
- persistent leaf wetness (due to excessive watering or watering of the leaves, but also as a result of a longer period of rain)
- Nutrient excess and/or deficiency (unbalanced fertilization can cause the substrate to contain too much nitrogen and too little potassium, for example)
- Lack of light (due to a location that is too shady)
Note: Persistent leaf wetness and lack of light can also occur in combination if the planting distances are too narrow. Then the leaves dry poorly and absorb too little light.
How do I prevent leaf spot fungus on avocados?
To protect your avocado tree from leaf spot fungus and other fungal diseases, you should pay close attention to appropriate care. This particularly includes the following points:
- Water only the root area, never the leaves of your avocado tree.
- Fertilize the exotic plant in a balanced way, if in doubt rather with a calibrated amount.
- Give the avocado a warm, sunny location.
- Maintain sufficient planting distances.
Remove fallen leaves immediately, as fungal spores love to nest in them and spread from there to the he althy avocado leaves.
Tip
Do not confuse leaf spot fungus with normal signs of aging
If older leaves on your avocado tree have brown edges, this almost certainly has nothing to do with leaf spot fungus. Rather, it is a normal phenomenon of aging. Don't be surprised if these leaves eventually fall off, it's completely natural.
