Large black/brown spots on Gollum Jade (Crassula ovata)
akholt
7 years ago
My 1 year old Gollum Jade has developed many (12 or more) large blackish/dark brown spots over the past few months-- and they are spreading. The plant otherwise seems to be healthy, although the spots are starting to affect the new growth. I live in the Northeast where the climate is variable but the plant is indoors. What might be causing this problem? Thanks!
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Comments (15)
akholt
7 years agoRelated Discussions
Jade Plant - Brown spots on leaves/leaf stem
Comments (13)Oedema. Oedema Oedema is a physiological disorder that can affect all plants. It occurs when the plant takes up more water than it can rid itself of via the process of transpiration. The word itself means 'swelling', which is usually the first symptom, and comes in the form of pale blisters or water-filled bumps on foliage. Under a variety of circumstances/cultural conditions, a plant's internal water pressure (turgidity) can become so high that some leaf cells rupture and leak their contents into inter-cellular spaces in leaf tissue, creating wet or weepy areas. Symptoms vary by plant, but as the malady progresses, areas of the leaf turn yellow, brown, brown with reddish overtones or even black, with older damage appearing as corky/ scaly/ ridged patches, or wart/gall-like bumpy growth. Symptoms are seen more frequently in plants that are fleshy, are usually more pronounced on the underside of leaves, and older/lower leaves are more likely to be affected than younger/upper leaves. Oedema is most common in houseplants during the winter/early spring months, is driven primarily by excessive water retention in the soil, and can be intensified via several additional cultural influences. Cool temperatures, high humidity levels, low light conditions, or partial defoliation can individually or collectively act to intensify the problem, as can anything else that slows transpiration. Nutritional deficiencies of Ca and Mg are also known contributors to the malady. Some things that can help you prevent oedema: * Increase light levels and temperature * Monitor water needs carefully – avoid over-watering. I'd heartily recommend a soil with drainage so sharp (fast) that when you to water to beyond the saturation point you needn't worry about prolonged periods of soil saturation wrecking root health/function. Your soil choice should be a key that unlocks the solutions to many potential problems. * Avoid misting or getting water on foliage. It slows transpiration and increases turgidity. * Water as soon as you get up in the AM. When stomata close in preparation for the dark cycle, turgidity builds. If you water early in the day, it gives the plant an opportunity to remove (for its own needs) some of the excess water in the soil. * Put a fan in the room or otherwise increase air flow/circulation. Avoid over-crowding your plants. Al...See MoreLarge Jade Cutting
Comments (118)If you understand eBay's feedback system you'd understand why this seller has so much positive. Once you leave feedback as a buyer, you can't retract. Most people leave it the day the apparently healthy plant arrives not knowing they're in for problems down the line. I imagine that's the case with all of the people who have had a bad experience with this seller; including no telling how many not on Garden Web. I used to do the same until I was screwed by a seller (montanaman59701). Now I wait until the last possible day as eBay's Customer Service suggested. And, I'll bet, so do these people from now on. Buyers have 45 days from date paid to file a case to get money back if a purchase is misrepresentated or defective and 60 days to leave feedback. On day 59 I left negative for the above seller. Linda (who buys and sells [paperbacks; not plants] on eBay)...See Morejade plant; crassula ovata. what to do next?
Comments (7)Christopher I would agree with you, You don't give a zone or where you live, are they getting enugh sun, They should be in full sun, and watered thoroughly at least once a month, Cut back all the tips of growth cut off the first of October leave out side for air circulation and fertilize and water again. I've had mine in the same pot for 20 years, they love to be crowded. They should all flower for Christmas, they can take down to at least 20F, In Northern England they can be flooded; freezel die back to soil line and come backing smiling. In Africa they grow on rocky hillsides and live on fog that rolls off the rocks down o their roots They are east coast growers in Africa. They get no care and only the fertilizer the anamals leave. They are pruned by these animals who care for them. Norma Lewis C...See MoreCrassula ovata Gollum: Signs of under-watering?
Comments (31)Greetings, all! Rina had asked earlier if I had an update on my grand 'ole Gollum, and indeed I do. In short, my plant is thriving! I base that on two primary observations: 1) In recent weeks the plant has produced an abundance of new growth. Almost all of the primary preexisting leaf clusters are filling out with new leaves and, what seems more importantly to me, new leaf clusters are forming in multiple areas all around the plant. 2) When I got the plant it was rather weak. What I mean is I could hardly move the plant from point A to point B without the plant dropping dozens of leaves - it was quite intolerant to any physical contact at all - but that condition has definitely changed. I've accidentally bumped into the plant when moving things around my patio, and my German Shepard's long and powerful wagging tail has complete disregard for the plant overall. :) In any case, now that the plant has stabilized to its' new environs, it has become much stronger and has stopped dropping leaves due to contact. As for my primary problem when starting this thread, I definitely have the sunburn issue under control. The whole sunburn issue was my own problem in that I had misinterpreted how much direct sunlight the plant might receive in a day. Previously the plant was receiving day-long direct (and very hot) sunlight. The sunburn ceased immediately when I relocated the plant to my back patio. At least during this time of year, the plant now only receives about 4 hours of direct light from ~11:30 a.m. to ~3:30 p.m. As Josh had mentioned earlier, the sunburned leaves still show the problem but I have complete confidence that in time those burned leaves will be replaced with excellent new growth! One last comment about my watering habits: Until the time of this thread, I believe that I had been under-watering the plant in a rather bad way. Being this is my first experience with a Jade, I had become a bit paranoid that I would over-water the plant. I was allowing the soil to dry completely between watering and I was only watering the plant enough to saturate the top ~3 inches of soil. Today I water the plant entirely meaning that I water it deeply, literally until water seeps from the pot's drain hole. And I'm still letting the soil dry almost entirely (as best as I can tell) between watering. Its taken a bit of trial and error with this plant but this community has certainly helped me get on track with ensuring it a long(er) and healthy life!...See Moreakholt
7 years agoakholt
7 years agoakholt
7 years agoakholt
7 years agoThat's good to know! I have never used it before.
Here are some close pictures of 3 of the larger spots. Close up they seem to have a scab-like appearance. When I first noticed them (during the summer), they had fuzzy white stuff on top of them. I removed these parts of the plant hoping it wouldnt return, however, they came back-- this time without the fuzzy white coating.
I really appreciate your help with this!
akholt
7 years agoakholt
7 years ago
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rina_Ontario,Canada 5a