The silk tree is very undemanding and easy to care for. Nevertheless, care errors can affect the plant and lead to various diseases.
Basically, the silk tree (Albizia julibrissin) or sleeping tree is resistant to most pests and diseases. In the right place it is very resilient. Occasionally an infestation with scale insects can occur. In addition, care errors are possible, which lead to certain clinical pictures. However, with the right tips for care, prevention and scale insect control, you can ensure that your silk tree stays he althy.
Recognize symptoms: what is missing from the silk tree
» Hanging leaves: Wrong location
If the silk tree drops its leaves, it is too dark. It needs sufficient brightness for good development. Relocate the tree if possible. The best time to do this is in spring. Simply move the silk tree in the tub to a bright and sunny spot.
» Curled leaves: lack of water
Dirling leaves during the day are a sign of a lack of water. Water more, then your silk tree will recover quickly.
» Slow growth: lack of nutrients
Too slow growth and an overall sparse development indicates a nutrient deficiency. Supply the silk tree with compost that you work into the soil. You can also use a complete liquid fertilizer every two to four weeks, such as the Compo Green Plant Fertilizer. If you have a pond, use pond water for watering from time to time, it contains a lot of nutrients.
» Leaves open during the night: root rot
A characteristic feature of the silk tree is that the leaves close at night. If this does not happen, i.e. the leaves no longer close at all, this is a sign of root rot and mold. There is often a musty smell, the leaves wither and eventually the tree dies.
The cause is heavily compacted soil. Waterlogging promotes the formation of mold and root rot. For plants in tubs, you can loosen up the substrate with gravel and add an additional drainage layer. Also, temporarily set thePour in.
If the roots are already affected, you definitely need to treat the tree intensively. Remove affected roots and use a fungicide such as this one. The situation is difficult when root rot occurs in the silk tree outdoors. Dehydration, loosening the soil, and fungicides can also help.
The good news: Older silk trees are usually very robust, so fungal and root diseases rarely occur.
Battle of the Scale Insect!
The scale insect is the only pest that can harm the silk tree. You can easily identify the parasites by looking at the leaves. Oil-based preparations provide quick help. You can also rinse the leaves thoroughly. Fleas, parasitic wasps and ladybugs kill scale insects naturally.