Bacterial leaf spot symptoms
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There are several species of bacteria that attack indoor plants.
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Some of these bacterial infections become systemic throughout the plant while others will remain as localized lesions.
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Bacterial disease symptoms range from black to brown, often watery leaf spots or lesions to total collapse of the tissue.
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Collapsed tissues usually are soft and mushy with a rotten smell to them.
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Leaf symptoms will often be observed between the veins and may be contained between leaf veins and appear angular or V-shaped.
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Some plants will characteristically develop lesions along the leaf margins where the bacteria enter through hydathodes (small openings along the leaf margins). Often these infections will cause leaf drop.
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Other symptoms may include yellow margins around leaf lesions, small blister like spots that run together, or spots where the center falls out.
Management
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There are no cures for systemically infected plants and these plants should be discarded.
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Individual leaves with spots can be picked off and destroyed.
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Any method that will lower the humidity, decrease leaf wetness or increase air circulation will help to lessen the chances of infection.
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Watering should be done early in the day to allow leaf surfaces time to dry quickly.
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Space plants so that air can circulate between them to help reduce moisture.