Eepiphyllums , also have it away as Christmas or orchid cacti , are a mutual cosmetic plant rule in garden stores and are mention for their bright colored flowers . They are easy to mature and relatively disease and pest liberal . Any infections should be treat early to prevent equipment casualty and halt the bedspread of the contagion to other industrial plant .
Insects
epiphyllum are susceptible to common flora pests like mealybug , hard scale , aphids and spider mites . They are also a prized meal for slugs and snails when left near the ground alfresco and in greenhouses . In cool climates , ascendant weevil have been a trouble when unsterilized potting medium is used .
Treatment
For minor infestation , souse a cotton fiber swab in a mixture of half fray alcohol and half water or use the alcohol water with a spray bottle and wipe the septic areas off with a paper towel . Avoid using harsh chemical substance that might damage the waxy coat on the out layer of the leave-taking . Mild insecticidal soaps are available that will extinguish aphids , mealy bugs , and scale but will not cover spider mites . Horticultural crude will toss off wanderer tinge with echo treatment . For really tough infestations , a systemic chemical may be ask . circumspection should be fill to follow the guidance cautiously and only habituate unity recommend for tropical industrial plant .
Bacteria and Fungus
Not much is known about fungal and bacterial infections in Epiphyllums . They usually show up as a creeping smutty putrefaction that easy kill the plant and are difficult , if not impossible , to ascertain with commercial-grade products . Infected plants should be quarantined and destroy before the infection are allow to propagate to nearby healthy plants . These type of contagion are well prevented instead of process .
Prevention
The growing surround is the greatest contributing factor in what eccentric of diseases taint an Epiphyllum . Plants grow outdoors in the summertime should be kept away from Tree and other plant that might propagate infections . cautiously insure the plant when fetch them inside for any pestis they might have break up up out of doors . When get indoors or in a greenhouse , keep humidity level stable and habituate a modest fan to verify there is estimable air flow .
Poor Plant Care
break down to care for an Epiphyllum can pass to trouble that look like a disease or weaken the plant , making it subject to infection . Some irregularities like spots on leaves may be normal consequences of growing the plant outdoors in the summertime or in a greenhouse but are not unhealthy . Withering of leaves can be due to over lachrymation , and burn spots are often triggered by exposure to unmediated sun . outside plants can also be damaged by unexpected frost , leading to brown dead muscae volitantes over nighttime .
