Compared with cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers or other vegetables, growing strong eggplant seedlings is more difficult.
Young seedlings can wither, stretch, stop their growth, but the most dangerous and difficult problem to solve is white spots on eggplant seedlings.
There are several options for the occurrence of such a sign.
Causes of white spots on the leaves
There are several factors that influence the appearance of white spots on eggplant leaves. First of all, when such a sign arises, must carefully inspect the seedlings for the presence of pests.
Make this procedure better with a magnifying glass. If the study of the leaves of insects was not found, then look for the cause of white spots should be in the mistakes in the care of seedlings.
Why on eggplant seedlings appeared white spots:
- sunburn (the cause of a burn on the leaves can be not only the sun, but also the ultraviolet lamp used to create heat and light);
- sharp temperature changes;
- hot atmosphere and high humidity (such conditions are ideal for the occurrence of fungal diseases);
- potassium deficiency (white spots appear on the leaves, turning into a brown border);
- fertilizer oversupply (any solution for watering should be used in accordance with the instructions);
- hypothermia roots too cold with water when watering;
- powdery mildew (in this case, the white spots on the leaves look like a bloom, which gradually condenses and spreads along the stems);
- fomoz (the second name is dry rot, the spots have a light color with small patches);
- white spot (a fungal disease tolerated with the soil, the second name is Septoria, the white spots of such a disease have a dark border).
What to do if white spots appear on the seedlings of eggplant?
The way to get rid of eggplant from white spots depends on the reason for their appearance. For each specific error there is a special method for correcting it.
For example, if the sun's rays became a negative factor, then the seedlings should be protected from their impact with a newspaper, paper or fabric.
In identifying pests or diseases will have to make more efforts to save the young eggplant.
Ways to eliminate white spots on eggplants, depending on the reason for their appearance:
- when creating the wrong conditions for seedlings is necessary as soon as possible create a favorable atmosphere, to study information about the cultivation of this crop and apply mineral fertilizers to restore plant health;
- if a large part of the leaf is struck, then it must be got rid of (plants in critical condition are also recommended to isolate or discard);
- with a lack of potassium, eggplant must water special potash solutions (available for sale in any specialty store);
- in case of leaf burn with ultraviolet light, it is recommended to increase the distance between the foliage and the lamp, and to feed the plants for several weeks with fertilizers;
- the ash-based solution helps to replenish the potassium supply (one tablespoon of ash should be diluted in one liter of water at room temperature, the solution should be used for daily watering until the problem disappears);
- eliminate the effects of an oversupply of mineral fertilizers a weak solution of potassium permanganate will help (in most cases a few watering is enough);
- if the eggplants are watered with too cold water, then correcting the situation will help careful attitude to the seedlings and compliance with the rules of its cultivation (the minimum water temperature for irrigation should not be below +22 degrees);
- after using too cold water for irrigation, young garden crops should be reanimated with the help of nutrient fertilizers.
If powdery mildew became the cause of the appearance of white spots on eggplants, then it is necessary to get rid of it with special attention. The disease spreads quickly, and the affected areas dry out and fall away. Fundazol or soda ash (0.5%) will help save seedlings.
Step-by-step instruction:
- Prepare a solution of "Fundazol" or soda ash (1 g of one of the solutions is diluted in 1 l of water).
- Spray the seedling leaves (it is better to use a good sprayer).
- Repeat the procedure once a week for a month.
How to get rid of the disease, if its cause - pests?
The presence of pests on seedlings leads to the appearance of white spots on the leaves as a result of the activity of insects. Microscopic parasites feed on the sap of plants, and in areas of their accumulation, light areas are formed, there may even be transparent spots.
Typically, seedlings are affected: aphid, spider mite, thrips, whitefly. If it is not possible to determine the type of pest on your own, then you can seek help from a specialist from any specialty store that implements top dressing and fertilizer for plants.
Common pest control products for seedlings include:
- "Spark M";
- Kemiphos;
- Aktara;
- Actellic;
- "Confidor";
- "Tanrek" and so on.
Instructions for the use of drugs from pests on eggplant seedlings:
- 2 mg of the drug must be diluted in 5 liters of water (the dosage depends on the degree of infection of the plants; when diluting drugs, it is important to take into account all the information specified in the special instructions);
- the resulting solution is recommended to water young eggplants daily for 4 weeks (watering is better in the morning).
The best way to combat diseases of seedlings is high-quality and timely prevention.
Any vegetable in growing requires special attention and proper care.
Before you engage in the cultivation of eggplant, it is recommended to study in advance information about the nuances of that process.
Mistakes can lead to the death of seedlings and wasted time.
Useful materials
Read other articles about growing and caring for eggplant seedlings:
- Different methods of cultivation: in peat tablets, in a snail and even on toilet paper.
- All features of sowing according to the lunar calendar.
- Golden rules for growing from seed.
- Features of cultivation in different regions of Russia: in the Urals, in Siberia and the Moscow region.
- Councils for the preparation of seeds before sowing and the correct sowing of young shoots.