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Problem with Japonicus - is this some kind of fungal infection?
GreenGem
Posts: 3
Hi,
Very inexperienced beginner here! I bought a japonicus last year (not sure what type as from a man in a van!). I potted it up with a fern and some ivy to go in my damp and dingy side alley next to the house. It did great over summer and through the winter but in the last few weeks has developed brown spotting on the leaves and deformed growth of new leaves. Is this a fungal problem or a plant care problem please?! I water it regularly and feed it once a month.
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Posts
I can't see how big the pot is - is it rootbound?
It could be over or under watering, too much or not enough feed, or it's not happy where it is
Looks like there are bugs of some sort eating the leaves and they may have introduced a virus of some sort, or it maybe where they are laying eggs - can you see any eggs on the underside of the deformed foliage?
Generally I think your plant for whatever reason has been stressed which has weakened it and allowed an infection to get hold
I've never had one, so have no knowledge of them and my thoughts above are very much generalisations.
Sorry I can't be more specific
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
Pete's advice is very useful for diagnosing the issue.
Fatsia Japonicas are somewhat hardy and don't suffer from many pest and disease issues that native plants/trees do. They like a lot of sun or some shade, although I know of one that gets only a small amount of sun but grows like crazy but is planted in the ground in a sheltered area with fertile soil.
If it's been potted in a dark alleyway with a fern (and even worse - Ivy) in the same container, the plants will be competing for nutrients and Ivy roots can be rather troublesome. If they're all together, I'd replant the Fatsia in a large pot with decent soil and some compost mixed in, then move it to a sunnier but sheltered position (to protect from hard frosts) and leave off the fertiliser for the rest of this year.
Hi Pete & Dave,
Thank you both for the excellent advice, I don't think it is happy where it is located as I have a single japonica (potted again but on its own) positioned in a slightly sunnier spot in the alley and it is doing fine.
I will check for eggs, but would you cut off the deformed leaves before repotting?
I'd suggest leaving it as it is for a while to recover in its new home
Once it's looking happier again and putting on new growth, then trim off a damaged leaf every week, but be gentle with it until it's recovered
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
Thanks Pete, will do!