11 Reasons Why Dischidia Plant is Dying and How to Fix Them
Some links in this post may be affiliate links
Dischidia Plants may die due to root-rot, overwatering, underwatering, extreme temperatures, too little light among other reasons brought about by cultural faults.
The plants are easy to care for when they are provided with the right growing conditions. If the growing conditions are not met they may develop some problems and eventually die.
We have herebelow discussed 11 reasons why a Dischidia Plant may die and their solutions. Keep reading for more details.
11 Reasons why a Dischidia Plant may die
1. Root-rot Disease
Dischidia Plants are prone to root-rot disease which is brought about by soggy soil. The disease is characterized by wilted, discolored leaves, corky swellings under the leaves, dropping leaves and eventual death of the plant.
Soggy soil reduces oxygen concentration in the soil which causes the roots to die. Once the Dischidia Plant roots die, they cannot take up water and nutrients to the leaves. The leaves begin to die and eventually drop.
Solutions
Take out the Dischidia Plant 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 Dischidia Plant plant and keep it dry for about 7 days before resuming watering. Read more on how to treat root-rot in houseplants.
To avoid getting soggy soil, ensure that the pot for your Dischidia Plant has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining.
Also, reduce watering during the cold season to maintain the soil slightly moist as growth is minimal at this time.
2. Too Little Light
The Dischidia Plants require bright light with some morning sunshine to thrive. The light is needed for making food that is required for energy and growth.
Insufficient light implies that the plant cannot make enough food for energy and growth therefore it begins to drop its leaves and finally dies.
Solutions
Cut back the bare stems to rejuvenate growth and move the Dischidia Plant to a brighter spot where it will receive bright light witj some morning sunshine or instal a grow light if you do not have adequate lighting in your home.
Regularly turn the pot for your Dischidia Plant to ensure that the plant absorbs enough light for photosynthesis from all sides.
3. Pest Infestations
Dischidia Plants are prone to spider mites, scale insects, aphids and mealy bugs.
These pests attack the new growth from where the suck the plant sap. This causes the Dischidia Plant to become dehydrated and results in wilting and eventual death.
Solutions
Regularly inspect your Dischidia Plant for the pests and take timely control measures.
Treat the Dischidia Plant appropriately for the pests with appropriate products like neem oil and insecticidal soap among others.
4. 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 Plants require loose, free-draining soil that does not hold excessive amounts of water as soggy soil can lead to root-rot disease which is characterized by yellowing. leaf drop and eventual death of the plant.
Solutions
Pot your Dischidia Plant in good quality soil that is loose, free-draining and rich in organic matter like Cactus and Succulents Soil.
5. Underwatering
When the Dischidia Plant is underwatered, there is little moisture in the soil. As such, the plant cannot take up nutrients and water needed for photosynthesis (food making process).
Since the plant does not get adequate food for growth and energy, it begins to die. The leaves turn yellow, drop and eventually the plant dies if the situation is not corrected.
Solutions
When you note that the leaves are yellowing and dropping, check the soil condition by inserting your index finger into the soil and feeling the soil.
If the soil feels dry, immediately water the Dischidia Plant thoroughly until the water comes out through the drainage holes and it should recover.
Thereafter, water the Dischidia Plant liberally during the growing season and allow the top 2-3 in. of soil to dry out between waterings.
Decrease watering during the cold season to keep the soil slightly moist but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
6. Extreme Temperatures
Dischidia Plants require average room temperatures within the range of 18-300C inorder to thrive.
Extreme temperatures; either too high or too low (outside the above range) will affect the normal functioning of the plant systems.
Too high temperatures will cause excessive loss of water leading to wilting, leaf drop and eventual death of the plant.
Too low temperatures cause the Dischidia Plant to stop growing and it begins to die. Leaf drop is one of the signs of a dying plant.
Solutions
Keep the Dischidia Plant away from cold draughts like drafty winds, air conditioning vents, open doors and others.
Ensure your Dischidia Plant is not near hot surfaces, hot air vents and other hot areas to prevent extremely high temperatures.
Maintain an average room temperature within the range of 18-300C. Usually, a room temperature that is comfortable for you is ideal for Dischidia Plant.
7. Too Cold Water
Dischidia Plants are native to the tropical regions where the temperatures remain constantly warm.
Therefore, constantly watering these plants with too cold water will shock the plant, causing it to stop growing and eventually die.
Solutions
Water Dischidia Plants with water that is at room temperature to avoid shocking these tropical plants.
8. Overfeeding
Overfeeding a Dischidia Plant will cause the roots to die due to fertilizer burn. When the roots die, they cannot take up nutrients and water needed for photosynthesis; the process of making food for growth and energy.
Without, adequate food for growth and energy, the Dischidia Plant begins to drop leaves and eventually dies if the situation is not corrected.
Solutions
Take care not to overfeed a Dischidia Plant. Feed Dischidia Plant twice during the growing season with a succulents fertilizer.
Dischidia Plants are 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 excess 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. Underfeeding
Underfeeding a Dischidia Plant 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, drop and eventually the plant dies.
Solutions
Feed Dischidia Plant twice during the growing season with a succulents fertilizer. Take care not to underfeed and follow the instructions on the label of the plant food.
10. Root Bound Plant
A root bound Dischidia Plant is one whose roots have filled the pot and there is very little soil to hold water when you water the plant.
Therefore, the roots have no access to water and nutrients required for making food for growth. Without adequate food the plant begins to die from the leaves which turn yellow and drop.
Solutions
Check the bottom of the pot for roots growing through the drainage hole and repot the Dischidia Plant into a pot one size larger than the current one.
Divide the Dischidia Plant into several sections and plant the sections in individual pots to propagate new plants.
11. Direct Hot Sunlight
Exposure of a Dischidia Plant to direct hot sunshine can cause dehydration and sunscorch which may result in wilting and eventual death of the plant if it is not corrected.
Solutions
Do not expose a Dischidia Plant to hot direct sunlight before acclimatizing it. Gradually expose to brighter light for over a period of 2 weeks.
You liked it? Share on social media.
Recommended
Amazon Associates Disclosure
Homeplantsguide.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.