Bonus content from the May 2010 REPTILES magazine article "Planting For Success."
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SYMPTOMS |
POSSIBLE CAUSE(S) |
POSSIBLE REMEDIES |
| Plants are unnaturally tall, thin, spindly or lanky, with leaves spaced far apart. | Not enough light provided to the vivarium; Substrate too wet. | Provide more intense light; Provide better substrate drainage. |
| Plant base or stem soft or mushy; plant falls over at base. | Substrate too wet and probably polluted; Possibly secondary fungal, viral or bacterial infection. | Provide better substrate drainage – probably a good idea to replace with fresh vivarium substrate mix. |
| Sudden generalized leaf drop – many or most, not just a few here and there. | Vivarium probably exposed to sudden temperature changes or drafts. | Check to make sure vivarium not exposed to drafts from windows, air conditioning vents, etc. |
| Brown, dry or scorched-looking leaf tips and edges. | Excessive salts or other toxins in substrate; Possibly excessively dry air. | Replace substrate with proper vivarium substrate mix; Do not use synthetic fertilizers; Check humidity. |
| Leaves have brown, yellow or black spots or soft/mushy patches. | Fungal, bacterial or viral infections indicating polluted environment; Possible contact with harmful chemical(s). | Disinfect vivarium & use new vivarium substrate mix, plants and fixtures; Do not use glass cleaner or other chemicals on or near vivarium. |
| Wilting of entire plant, leaf curling and crisping. | Substrate too dry; If substrate moist, probable root rot due to pollution. | Moisten dry substrate; Replace polluted substrate. |
| Generalized leaf yellowing or paleness. | Substrate pH imbalance and/or nutrient deficiency or toxicity; Vivarium air polluted or exposed to toxic gasses; Light too intense. | Use proper vivarium substrate mix and organic fertilizer; Provide good air circulation; Check for toxic gas source in area; Check light intensity. |
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