The most detrimental problem for many curry leaf gardeners is the risk of diseases. These can range from deathly to mildly annoying, resulting in plants and trees becoming completely infested with pests. There is no way to completely avoid diseases; they are an inevitable part of life on Earth, but learning what these diseases look like will help you protect your curry leaf plant so that the plants don’t die before they’re even fully developed. The most common diseases that affect the curry leaf plant are the following:
Symptoms of Curry Leaf Plant Diseases
Aphids and Scale for Curry Leaf Plant
Aphids are one of the most widespread plant enemies on the planet. They feed on a wide variety of plants and cause diseases that plague many other plant species as well. They are direct intruders in plants with needle-like mouth parts that insert into the plant’s tissues and suck out the sap. This causes the curry leaf plant to slow down growth, lose vigor and ability to produce fruit, and sometimes die as a result of heavy infestation.
Aphids are very small and are usually hidden under the leaves, it is hard to spot them at first glance. To detect them you need a sharp eye and ability to distinguish their specific signs:
It is easy to spot the presence of aphids if there are large amounts of honeydew or sooty mold developing on the top layer of soil. This is due to the fact that these pests have a sweet tooth and suck large amounts of sap. When they digest this, they excrete half-digested food beneath the leaves of the plants. It creates a sticky, sugary substance which then attracts mold.
If you check very closely you may be able to see small insects congregating on leaves and stems. In case of heavy infestation, it is possible to spot droppings and dead aphids on the ground below the curry leaf plant where they fall.
A chemical odor (sharp and pungent) can be detected when you burn an infected part on a curry leaf plant suffering from heavy aphid infestation (when you crush it between your fingers).
You can find evidence of heavy aphid infestation by checking the leaves closely. If there are lots of aphids present you will notice them on the leaves, stems, and flowers of plants. The most common species that are responsible for infections and damage to the curry leaf plant is Myzus persicae.
Care about Aphids Infection in Your Curry Leaf Plant
If you want to save your curry leaf plant from heavy aphid infestation, then you need to spray plants regularly at least twice a week with a mixture of water and soapy solution (use a soap solution that contains insecticidal properties). It is important that the soap solution does not contain oil or fat because this will attract more aphids. Any other solution will not be effective against aphids because they need fatty substances.
If you are unable to control the aphid infestation, then at least spray the infected leaves regularly with a solution of hot water. This should discourage the pests and cause them to move to an uninfected part of the plant. If you want to completely eliminate aphids from your plants, then use a pesticide designed for their control on the leaves and stems of curry leaf plants.
Monitoring Aphids in Pot Plants
When there is a heavy infestation of aphids on your curry leaf plant, it is important that you check each individual pot individually in order to detect early signs of infection. Pay attention to the leaves and stems. If you find aphids in these parts, remove them with a sharp knife or other similar tool and treat with pesticide from your local store.
Precautions When Using Pesticides for the Control of Aphids on Curry Leaf Plants
Make sure that you purchase an insecticide specifically designed for the control of aphids. It is possible that your pest problems are not caused by aphids at all, but secondary pests (such as scale or whiteflies) or fungi that are not controlled by this type of insecticide. The active ingredient in a pesticide must be applied only to the leaves or stems of the plant. Do not spray it on the soil below because this can cause damage to the roots.
Pesticides need to be stored properly and they are not allowed to be used when they are damaged, old, or expired. The main components of pesticides that you should remember are active ingredients and carrier solutions. They should never be mixed up together. If you store them in metal boxes, then they must be placed in a dark, dry location away from excessive heat, direct sunlight, and direct frost-free sunlight. The effective period of the pesticide ends the moment you open the container, so be sure to close it securely after use. It is also important that you store it separately from all other chemicals. If there is a possibility that someone uses pesticides without being trained in their appropriate use and handling, then you should also have your pets treated with some of these products as well because they can be harmful to them as well.
It is not recommended to use pesticides on plants if they have been recently planted or they are still very young. Instead, treat the surrounding area with insecticidal dust that is specially designed for use against aphids. These powders should be applied around the exterior of the pots on a regular basis in order to prevent further infestation.
Novice Tip: If you want to protect your curry leaf plant from aphids and other pests, then it is important that you keep an eye on them regularly and treat infestation immediately. If there are any signs of infection, then you should remove infected leaves immediately (with a sharp knife) and dispose of them properly if possible. It is also important that you clean the leaves regularly and remove any debris that may have formed. After every treatment, you should allow your plants to dry in a warm location for several weeks so that they can fully recover from all pests.
Preventing Aphids from Attacking Curry Leaf Plants
Aphid infestations can be prevented by destroying infected plants or by preventing their access to the curry leaf plant. Please note that you should inspect seeds and pots before planting them outdoors because some varieties of curry leaves are resistant to aphids. It is also important that you prevent aphid-damaged leaves from falling into the soil and contaminating it with other pests: mealybugs, scale insects, etc.
Before you throw any damaged leaves, flowers, buds, and stems into the garbage, make sure that they have not been contaminated by pest infestation. It is even better to remove them from the garden before they cause further damage.
There are several methods of destroying aphids without getting rid of curry leaves that are not involved in the treatment:
Spraying organic insecticidal solutions onto plants at least twice a week during active infestation periods. Combating aphids with mealybugs (because these insects like to feed on other pests) or other predators, such as ladybugs or predatory mites. Spraying the nearby soil with an organic insecticidal solution formulated for use against aphids.
If you want to completely eliminate aphids from your plants, then it is best to use a single or a combination of solutions such as insecticidal soaps, pesticides, etc. It is also possible to use horticultural oils or neem oil that are specially designed for the control of aphids. This can be done by using them on the foliage and stems of curry leaves, paying special attention to their lower parts because these are where the pests thrive. Remember that when using a pesticide for control of aphids at least twice a week in order to prevent further infestation.
Asian Citrus Psyllid Bug for Curry Leaf Plant
The Asian Citrus Psyllid Bug is an invasive insect that is becoming a serious threat to curry leaf plants. We will now go through how to identify the Asian citrus psyllid, how it impacts curry leaf plant disease and some specific treatments for this pest.
In short, the Asian citrus psyllid is a tiny green or brown bug that attacks curry leaf plant disease. It spreads through the air, and it’s extremely hardy. One individual bug can lay up to 600 eggs during its lifetime, so it can quickly become a serious threat. The Asian citrus psyllid feeds on all houseplants in the genus “Murraya”, which includes curry leaf plants (genus “Murraya”). It is extremely susceptible to insecticides such as acephate and malathion; most household insecticides will not be effective because they do not penetrate the plant’s waxy coating of leaves.
Identifying the Asian Citrus Psyllid Bug
This bug is extremely small, measuring about 3 to 6mm. They are light green or brown with black spots on their backs. Their heads are either black or yellow, and they have six legs. They also have a long sucking mouth part, which they use to feed off of plants.
Identifying Symptoms
The Asian citrus psyllid Bug eats at the leaves of curry leaf plants directly, but also spreads a bacterial infection called Huanglongbing (HLB), which can kill your curry leaf plants if left untreated for too long. You can identify HLB by yellowing leaves on your curry leaf plants, followed by brown and withered leaves. The HLB is transmitted through the Asian citrus psyllid’s saliva and plant juices from injured leaves.
What to do if you have identified the symptoms of the Asian citrus psyllid Bug
The first thing to do is isolate your curry leaf plants, and continue weeding around them to prevent the bugs in the other plants from moving in and feeding off of them. If you have the Asian citrus psyllid bug, you should immediately plant some other houseplants in the same area as your curry leaf plant.
Secondly, you need to consider whether or not it’s already too late. Logically, if you have identified any symptoms on your curry leaves and they are already withered or dying, then you may want to consider planting a different variety of curry leaves. We would recommend planting another type of shrub or tree that is resistant to the HLB and Asian citrus psyllid bug in general.
If you want to plant something else, then you will also probably want to re-use your existing soil. If you are still able to do this, clean off as much of the infected soil as possible by hosing it down, and bleach it with a solution of 1 part bleach, 4 parts water. Make sure that all infected areas have been disinfected with the bleach solution before reusing any soil. Next, replant your curry leaf plant(s) in the same baskets or pots. To provide the best chance of success, purchase a new type of curry leaf plant from a garden center near your location. Remember to pull out any diseased leaves, and discard them in a trashcan where they cannot contaminate other plants. Once you have done this, water your curry leaf plant with either rain or reverse osmosis water so that there is no possibility of the Asian citrus psyllid bug or HLB entering your curry leaves again.
Mealybugs for Curry Leaf Plant Diseases
A mealybug infestation on the leaves of a curry plant can result in discoloration, spotting, and other symptoms typically associated with fungal infections. Damage caused by mealybugs is usually more visible as it tends to be distributed more evenly over the surface of the leaves, unlike other diseases which can cause distortion of growth or shape.
To protect plants from infestation, you are advised to remove affected leaves below ground level and destroy nearby plant debris around the plant. You may also use pesticides if necessary. You can also remove the mealybug infestation by spraying the plant with an insecticide that is effective on these pests.
Perhaps the most effective way to prevent mealybug infestation is to control early growth stages or prevent the pest from reaching your plant. You can do this by constantly monitoring for plants that have mealybug infestation. If you find a plant in your garden that has mealybugs, you can use organic measures such as placing bags of peat moss and newspaper around the base of a plant to prevent infestation. Alternatively, you may use pesticides to keep the pests out of your garden.
Mealybug infestation is more common during periods of growth, and so it is especially important for new plants to be well protected from direct contact with the pests. You may avoid subsequent damage by inspecting your plants frequently for signs of infestation and removing affected leaves immediately. Cautious plant protection is the best way to avoid mealybug infestation.
To destroy mealybugs that have reached the stem or trunk of your plant you may use a spray of neem oil (you can make this easily at home by mixing 1 tablespoon of pure neem oil into 1 cup of water and spraying over your plant’s leaves). You may also protect plants from infestation by spraying a solution of insecticide. You can then spray the plant with a solution of insecticide that is labeled for mealybugs. Alternatively, you can use a mixture of insecticidal soap and an organic pesticide that is based on pyrethrum as this may help to control mealybug infestation.
When you use a pesticide that is effective on these pests, the solution should be applied evenly onto the plant leaves. The solution should be sprayed until it starts to run from the leaves. This dilution can prevent a buildup of toxic residues on the foliage. You can maximize the effectiveness of an insecticide by applying it frequently, especially if you live in an area with harsh weather as this may allow insect populations to build up over time.
Leaf Spot Diseases for Curry Leaf Plant
A leaf spot is a brown, circular spot on the surface of a plant. The spots are usually caused by an infestation by an orb weevil or brown sugarcane bug and can occur on plants like berries, citrus trees, and tomatoes. Leaf spots can also be caused by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense which affects plants like potatoes, beans, squash, parsnips and rutabagas causing irregularly shaped spots that may be yellow in color and surrounded by a lighter green halo.
Leaf spot is an important disease of many plants in the family Solanaceae. Although it’s a very common disease, it can be difficult to detect. The disease is transmitted by the overwintering adults and the mating-flight stage, and the symptoms of leaf spot develop when the insects feed on plant tissues.
Risk factors for leaf spot include excessive soil moisture, soggy or wet growing media and high humidity. The symptoms are not always visible on high-value crops but may be seen on potatoes, tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, curry leaf plants and more than 60 other crops.
The disease typically begins with a symptom called ‘damping off’ which occurs early in the infection when plants become dry and unable to survive. The plants may show yellowing of the foliage, stem and roots. If symptoms do not improve within two weeks, the plant can die. Other symptoms of leaf spot for curry plants include stunting, mottling, chlorosis (yellowing) and change in the appearance of stems or leaves.
Crop rotation practices and frequently changing the varieties of curry leaf plant can be used to prevent leaf spot. Planting different crops in the same place each year gives pathogens less time to develop resistance to a crop that has been removed from an infected area. Crop rotation is also a very important practice because it gives plants the chance to grow, consume nutrients and produce a crop of seeds. It is extremely important to keep the soil clean by rotating crops to lower the risk of disease by giving pathogens less time to develop resistance.
Powdery Mildew Diseases for Curry Leaf Plant
Powdery mildew, or powdery white mildew, is a common foliar disease of curry leaf plants that affects the leaves and stems. Several early symptoms of mildew on curry leaves include yellowing and wilting of the leaves. In time, affected areas may be covered with a whitish powder made up of fungal spores. The disease is caused by a fungus that is particularly common on organic plants. The fungus overwinters in the soil and can survive mildew-free conditions for years. It can also be introduced to the plant by its fungal spores or through an infected seed. It’s generally considered to be a minor problem in mildew-resistant plants like tomatoes, but it can be troublesome on curry leaves, some lettuce, eggplant, and other vegetables. Curry leaf plant diseases are much more difficult to diagnose than most plant diseases because there are few obvious signs.
Curry leaves are more susceptible to powdery mildew than most indoor plants because they are grown in window boxes, close to the ground, and are not necessarily nearby when mildew spores land on them. The best way to manage powdery mildew is through prevention. Keep your plants healthy and well-watered so that they have built up defenses against fungal attacks. This can make the disease far less likely to occur. Most powdery mildew diseases require a systemic fungicide (a fungicide designed to affect all parts of the plant) for effective control. A good general fungicide for use on almost any indoor plant is Safer’s Quick Cure or Valor, both of which contain triadimenol as their active ingredient.
When using those products, spray the plant thoroughly to ensure that at least the top layer of tissue is coated. Both are effective on powdery mildew but may be slower than other fungicides in eliminating the disease. Your plants will likely recover from mild powdery mildew if you give them plenty of direct sunlight and enough water to stay healthy. Reapply the fungicide regularly (at least every week, but often more often) to keep the disease under control. Since powdery mildew is a comparatively minor problem on most indoor plants, it’s best to prevent this disease as much as possible.
Curry Leaf Plant Dried Up
If your curry leaf plant loses its leaves, it could be due to several different causes, including:
Too much water- It may seem counterintuitive, but the curry leaf plant actually does better in dry conditions than too-wet ones. A lack of moisture makes it difficult for bacteria and fungi to grow, which can infect the stems and leaves of most plants. Make sure your curry leaf plant stays well-irrigated but not over-watered.
Low light or not enough sun exposure- The curry leaf plant prefers bright sunlight or filtered light. If there is not enough light, the stems may dry up and die. Move your plant to a more sunny spot if it gets too little light.
Too much fertilizer- Curry leaf plants are susceptible to root rot when given too much water or fertilizer. Make sure your plant gets just the right amount of fertilizer and water.
Not enough air circulation- Lack of air circulation can be a problem, especially indoors where windows may close during colder months. Low humidity also has this effect, so try to increase the humidity around your curry leaf plant by bringing it closer to a source of heat or by misting the leaves frequently with purified water.
Too much shade- If your curry leaf plant gets too much shade or is over-watered, it may develop root rot. Move the plant to another area with better sunlight or water more often.
Plants too close to a wall or other obstruction- Plants need light and air circulation around the outside of the stems to create healthy leaves and roots. If your curry leaf plant is too close to a wall or door, this can cause restricted airflow that can kill the plant altogether. Don’t let this be you; re-plant your curry leaf plant farther away from obstructions such as walls and doors if you notice a decline in its health.
How to Treat Curry Leaf Plant Dried Up
Once you notice your curry leaf plant begins to wilt, there are several steps you can take to help it recover. The first thing is to make sure you are giving your plant the right amount of water and nutrients. You can give your plant extra water as long as you don’t have too much bacteria or fungus in your soil that causes root rot. In this case, more water is not necessarily better since additional stress can actually cause more damage than good.
The second step is to enhance the outside of the stems so that the leaves will grow again. You can do this by giving the stems a little trim or pruning them back. This is your opportunity to get rid of any dead leaves and let in some good light. You can also cut away any dead branches around your plant that are blocking light from reaching the rest of the plant.
With any luck, after a few weeks or months, your curry leaf plant will be back to producing its lovely leaves and scented oils again. If it doesn’t, then you’ll have to decide what you want to do with this lovely but sometimes temperamental plant.
Curry Leaves Plant Turning Yellow
If it has been observed that the curry leaf plant turns yellow after flowering, then this is not a very serious problem because most of the leaves are still green. However, if the leaves start turning yellow after planting and they don’t turn green again even after flowering, then this is very disconcerting and is indicative of root rot. In such cases, it may be necessary to pull out the plant and throw away its root ball and compost it somewhere else. If all of the leaves on a single stem start turning yellow at the same time, then there are two probable causes: over-watering or under-watering. The basic principle for watering is to apply water continuously and at the same rate during the growing season, with some allowance made for the degree of rainfall. Roots are fairly resistant to extremes in moisture content, but sure, water is best withheld when it is not needed. This also applies to watering during the dormant season.
If over-watering is the cause of yellow leaves on curry plant turned yellow stems, then ensure that the soil does not get waterlogged. Do not water for the first couple of weeks after planting and instead allow the soil to dry out thoroughly before watering again. When watering again, use a fine mist rather than several streams of water. This will prevent splashing and damage to roots.
If under-watering is suspected, then check for evidence of drainage in the area where these plants are planted.
For both under-watering and over-watering, it is not enough to water the ground around the plant with a hose pipe or watering can. The plant needs to be watered from the roots up by watering from below with a spray or fine mist.
If all of the leaves on a curry leaf plant turn yellow and drop off, then it is probably because insects are starting to have their feast on these fallen leaves which have become moist and consequently are rotting. This could be due to lack of pollinators like bees, or simply due to dry weather. It may be necessary to take corrective measures like applying insect killer sprays and/or irrigation around the base of these plants so that they do not rot in situ.
Curled Leaves Curry Plant
Curry leaf plants are susceptible to a number of diseases and problems, one common issue being curled leaves. Curled leaves can be caused by various issues such as over fertilizers, too much water or dry soil, or improper pruning. The most common cause of curling leaves on a curry leaf plant is usually over fertilizers.
The curled leaves on the curry leaf plant can be caused by excess nitrogen. A common mistake is over fertilizing your curry leaf plant with too much nitrogen, in particular during the first year of growth. Although a lot of people like to fertilize their curry leaf plants with nitrogen, it is a very significant issue in regards to curling leaves.
If you find yourself having problems with your curry leaf plant’s curling leaves, first try reducing the amount of fertilizer that you are feeding them. If this works, you should then reduce the amount of nitrogen when doing your next fertilizer feeds, which may be one month apart. If the problem keeps coming back, try going on a two week break from giving your curry leaf plants any nitrogen until the leaves stop curling. Once the leaves stop curling and maintain their new shape, you can start to slowly introduce nitrogen back into their diets for feeds every three weeks to a month as usual.
Another way to treat curled leaves is to increase the amount of potassium in your curry leaf plant’s diet. Try doing an experiment where you add just a little bit of potassium when fertilizing in addition to the nitrogen. If the leaves curl up again, then you know that your curry leaf plant’s curling leaves are likely caused by the lack of potassium nutrition. Slowly increase the amount of potassium when doing feeds until the leaves stop curling.
Frequently Asked Questions for Curry Leaf Plant Diseases
Why do I have white spots on my leaves?
If I have white spots on my leaves, how do I treat them?
What is the best way to stop my curry leaf plant from dying?
My plants die back after flowering?
My curry leaf plant has holes in the leaves, with brown or black spots at the bottom of them. What can I do?
My curry leaf plant’s bottom leaves have brown spots on the underside of them?
Final Words
The article is divided into two major parts: “Fungal Diseases”, and “Aphid and Other Insects”. The first part of the article talks about the most common diseases that affect curry leaf plants. A few of these include downy mildew and sooty mold, which can be controlled by making sure the plant is well-watered and in a sunny location. The second part of the article talks about how to deal with aphids and other insects that could harm curry leaf plants. The best way to get rid of aphids is to use insecticidal soap. If that doesn’t work, then you can use sprays that contain pyrethrin or neem oil, with great success in killing aphids.
It’s important to keep in mind that, while it may not seem like it, many plant diseases and pests can cause a variety of problems for curry leaves. So be sure to take steps before and after planting curry leaves to make sure your plants are safe for everyone else in the garden.
