Question
Hi Darlene, I hope you will be able to offer me some advice for my sick dieffenbachia.  Some of the leaves look like they have brown circle "cancer" spots on them.  They are turning an orange color from the tip of the leaves and moving toward the main stalk. I pulled one leaf off, but left the other 2 sick ones.  I haven't had the plant but maybe 2 months.  I am currently using an aqua globe for watering & it is planted in moisture control miracle grow potting mix.  I'd appreciate any expert advise you can give me.  Thank you so much. Theresa

Answer
Theresa,

The moisture control miracle grow potting mix and the aqua globe are keeping the plant wet constantly and that is at least part or all of the problem. In that wet environment it is getting a fungal infection. This plant hates to have wet feet all the time. It needs to dry out between waterings. The way you have it set up it is sitting in a swamp and swamps promote molds and fungus. In this case it is a fungal problem. Remove the aqua globe and empty any excess water out of the drain tray from under the plant. Then spray the surfaces of the soil and the leaves of the plant lightly with Lysol spray every other day until the soil is dry, the orange color goes away and the plant starts to grow again. Good luck.

Darlene