Maintenance tips for Dieffenbachia

Repotting Dieffenbachia

Repotting is usually done once in October . When repotting, remove the aging rhizomes and remaining dead leaves, and plant in a mixture of 2 parts leaf mold, 1 part peat, and 1 part sand . After watering thoroughly, place it in a shaded place for a few days and then move it into a greenhouse or indoors.

Watering of Dieffenbachia

Scientific watering: Dieffenbachia likes a high humidity environment. The potting soil for overwintering indoors in winter should be alternately dry and wet, but not too dry. If the soil in the pot is too dry, the leaf tips will turn yellow and burn, die, or even the entire plant will wither. The main reason is that the roots cannot absorb water. Therefore, the air should be kept moist and the soil in the pot should be kept moist in winter. It is generally advisable to water the plant once a week, and wash the leaves with warm water once to keep the leaf color bright.

Temperature and light of Dieffenbachia

Variegated Dieffenbachia likes high temperatures and is afraid of cold, so it needs to be moved indoors in October to overwinter. The temperature should be kept at around 15 ℃. It requires sufficient light and good ventilation. Temperatures below 10 °C or excessive humidity often cause leaf fall or even stem rot; weak light can cause leaves to fade. Usually, you should wipe the leaves with a soft cloth to remove dust and increase its ornamental value.

Fertilization method of Dieffenbachia

During the growing period of Dieffenbachia, fertilizer is generally applied once a month, especially nitrogen fertilizer, which can promote its rapid growth. Fertilizer and water are applied once every two weeks from March to August, and fertilizer application is reduced after autumn.

Disease and Pest Control of Dieffenbachia

In order to keep Dieffenbachia well in winter, you must also do a good job of preventing and controlling diseases and pests. Its main diseases are leaf spot and anthracnose. In addition to paying attention to ventilation and light transmission and not making the pot soil too wet, you can spray 0.5 to 1 % Bordeaux mixture or 1500 times 70 % thiophanate solution for prevention and control.

The main insect pest is brown soft scale, which can be controlled by scraping or spraying 1000 times diluted 40 % oxydemeton-methyl emulsifiable concentrate .