12 Reasons for Watermelon Dischidia Yellowing Leaves and How to Fix Them


Watermelon Discidia, Dischidia ovata

Watermelon Dischidia (Dischidia ovata) leaves may turn yellow due to overwatering, underwatering, little light, cold drafts, pests and underfeeding among others.

Watermelon Dischidia (Dischidia ovata) Care is easy when the right growing conditions are provided. It grows best in bright light away from direct sunlight and moderately moist soil.

Dischidia ovata requires warm temperatures and free-draining soil that is rich in organic matter.

If the required conditions are not met, some problems may arise like yellowing leaves and death. We have herebelow outlined some reasons for yellowing leaves in Watermelon Dischidia and their solutions. Read on.

12 Reasons why the leaves of Watermelon Dischidia are yellowing

1. Overwatering

Overwatering Watermelon Dischidia results in excess water in the soil, which means, soggy soil. Too much water in the soil reduces the oxygen concentration in the root area which causes the roots to die.

When the roots die, they cannot take up water and nutrients to the upper parts of the plant including the leaves.

Lack of water and nutrients in the leaves implies that they cannot make enough food needed for growth and energy. Therefore, the Dischidia ovata begins to die and death begins from the leaves which turn yellow and die.

Solutions

To avoid getting soggy soil, ensure that the pot for your Watermelon Dischidia has a drainage hole and that the soil is loose and free-draining like this quality Cactus and Succulents Mix available on Amazon.

Water Dischidia ovata moderately and allow the top 2-3 inch of soil to dry out between waterings.

Reduce watering for the Watermelon Dischidia during the cold season to maintain the soil barely moist as growth is minimal at this time.

Watermelon Discidia, Dischidia ovata

2. Too Little Light

Watermelon Dischidia requires bright light with some morning sunshine to make food that is required for energy and growth. Insufficient light implies that the plant cannot make enough food for energy and growth.

In an attempt to save energy, the Dischidia ovata begins to die. The death of the plant begins from the leaves which slowly turn yellow and eventually die. This way, the energy available is saved for the plant's vital functions inorder to keep alive.

Solutions

Move the Watermelon Dischidia to a brighter spot where it will receive bright light with some morning sunshine or use grow lights if you do not have adequate natural lighting in your home.

3. Underfeeding

Underfeeding Watermelon Dischidia implies that the plant is not getting enough nutrients need for growth and energy.

Inadequate nutrients in the actively growing tips causes nutrients to be withdrawn from the older lower leaves which begin to yellow and drop.

Solutions

Feed your Dischidia ovata during the growing season with a slow release fertilizer as per the manufacturer's instructions.

4. Pest Infestations

Watermelon Dischidia is prone to spider mites, scale insects, aphids and mealy bugs.

These pests attack the new growth from where they suck the plant sap. This causes the Dischidia ovata to become dehydrated which results in yellow leaves.

Solutions

Regularly inspect your Watermelon Dischidia for the pests and take timely control measures.

Treat the Dischidia ovata appropriately for the pests with appropriate products like neem oil and insecticidal soap among others.

5. Poor Quality Soil

Poor quality soil does not drain easily and therefore it easily becomes compacted or soggy which can negatively impact the growth of the plant.

Dischidia ovata requires loose, free-draining soil that does not hold excessive amounts of water as soggy soil can lead to root-rot disease which is caharacterized by yellowing leaves.

Solutions

Pot your Watermelon Dischidia in good quality soil that is loose, free-draining and rich in organic matter like quality Cactus and Succulents Mix available on Amazon.

Watermelon Discidia, Dischidia ovata

6. Underwatering

Underwatering Dischidia ovata implies that there is too little moisture in the soil. As such, there is no water in the soil for the plant to take up to the leaves and other parts.

Therefore, the plant cannot make enough food for growth and energy. As such, the Watermelon Dischidia begins to die from the leaves which turn yellow, then brown and die.

Solutions

Water the Watermelon Dischidia moderately during the growing season and allow the to 2-3 in. of soil to dry out between waterings. Reduce watering during the cold season but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.

7. Cold draughts (drafts)

Watermelon Dischidia requires average room temperatures with a minimum of 180C inorder to thrive.

Extremely cold temperatures due to cold draughts will cause the plant to stop growing and begin to die which starts with yellowing leaves.

Solutions

Keep the Dischidia ovata away from cold draughts (drafts) like windy doors, drafts windows and other cold areas to prevent cold temperatures.

Maintain an average room temperature with a minimum of 180C. Usually, a room temperature that is comfortable for you is ideal for Watermelon Dischidia.

8. Overfeeding

Overfeeding Dischidia ovata will cause the roots to die due to fertilizer burn. When the roots die, they cannot take up water and nutrients to the leaves.

The lack of nutrients and water needed for making food for growth and energy signals death for the plant which begins from the leaves. The leaves turn, yellow, brown and eventually die.

Solutions

Take care not to overfeed your Watermelon Dischidia. Feed Watermelon Dischidia twice during the growing season with a succulents fertilizer.

Dischidia ovata is not a heavy feeder so be careful when feeding. Follow the instructions on the label of the plant food to avoid overfeeding.

Regularly flush out the salts from the soil by running a stream of water through the soil until it comes out through the drainage holes and repeat the process several times.

9. Root-rot Disease

Dischidia ovata is prone to root-rot disease. Root-rot disease is brought about by soggy soil. The disease is indicated by wilted, discolored and yellowing leaves which eventually drop and die.

When the soil is soggy, the oxygen concentration in the soil is reduced which causes the roots to die. Once the Watermelon Dischidia roots die, they cannot take up water and nutrients to the leaves. The leaves begin to yellow and eventually die.

Solutions

Take out the Dischidia ovata from its pot and inspect the roots. Brown-black mushy roots indicate root-rot, trim them off and treat the healthy roots with a fungicidal solution.

Disinfect the pot or use a fresh pot to repot the plant in fresh free-draining soil. Do not water the Watermelon Dischidia and keep it dry for some time before resuming watering. Read more on how to treat root-rot here.

10. Root Bound Plant

If the Dischidia ovata is root bound, the roots have filled the pot and there is very little soil to hold water when you water.

Therefore, the plant cannot take up water and nutrients needed for making food for energy to the leaves. Lack of adequate food causes the plant to begin dying which starts from the leaves which turn yellow and die.

Solutions

Check the bottom of the pot for roots growing through the drainage hole.

Repot the Dischidia ovata into a pot one size larger than the current one to provide adequate room for growth or divide it to propagate new plants.

11. Repotting Shock

Repotting Watermelon Dischidia may cause it some shock which may lead to some leaves wilting and turn yellow before it can adjust the new growing conditions.

Solutions

To minimize repotting shock for your Dischidia ovata, water the plant thoroughly one day before repotting. A well hydrated plant experiences less shock and is easier to divide.

Do not make too many changes at once. For instance, after repotting, maintain the Watermelon Dischidia plant in the same location until it is well established before moving it to a new location.

12. Aging

The older lower leaves of Dischidia ovata will naturally, turn yellow and die to give room for growth of new leaves.

Solutions

Remove the yellow leaves to maintain the plant neat and tidy.

Trim the bare stems at the beginning of the growing season and use them to propagate new plants.

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