Question
QUESTION: Hi Darlene,

when I bought red calandiva flowers 3 days ago, I found some unusual brown spots on leaves. Could you tell me what is that and how to cure the plants ?

Rgds,

Ari Wibowo

ANSWER: Ari,

Chances are it is a case of sunburn if it is large spots. If it is small circular spots on the backs of the leaves it might be scale which is an insect. You can treat that by spraying with alcohol or insecticidal soap. If you send me a picture of the spots I can give you a better idea of what the problem is. Good luck.

Darlene
[email protected]

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi, actually sent the pictures already, but no problem I have sent it again now. Thank's.

Answer
Ari,

I had not received the pictures the first time around, sorry, sometimes when I am not loooking for something specific my computer puts it in the junk email file & I don't recognize that I need to pull it out.  In the first 2 pictures the spots look kind of pink. Do they come off easily?  I am wondering if they are some type of fertilizer that the nursery that had it before you bought it scattered randomly by  tossing over a lot of plants and did not get it watered into the soil before it literally burnt into the leaves and caused the brown spots? If that is the case you should be able to brush what is left of the pink stuff off easily and in some spots have very little damage.  The only thing you can do to get rid of the brown spots is to cut the plants back to the lower 2-4 leaves and let them regrow in a bright sunny location. Use a liquid fertilizer once a month so you do not have problems with it burning.

If the above is not the problem then the only other thing that can cause that kind of damage is some kind of fungal infection. I would visit a local garden center and take a picture with me. Ask for their rreccommendation on what to use to treat it and follow the instructions completely, especially the safety instructions. I would spray it outdoors to keep the fungicides out of my home. Good luck.

Darlene