plant leaves turning brown and leaf and stem fall off - help my plant is sick?

Question

i think this plant is a Heptapleurum - a nice 3 ft. fingerleaved plant. i have moved into a bsmt apartment a few months ago and it got sick. the growing conditions are ok and there is lots of light.
the leaves 'grow' brown patchy areas on them and fall off, sometimes the whole stalk falls off from the stem or is easily pulled off if one of the leaves has begun to turn already.
it has lost half of it's foliage .
i have decreased watering and removed all bad foliage as i see it. i have also sprayed with a fungicide (but maybe i need a different one ?) and watered with the fungicide.
does anyone have any helpful suggestions? i don't want to lose this plant.

this is not root rot and as i said the light and temperature conditions are fine

Answer 1

From what you've described, it sounds like your Schefflera could be suffering from a bacterial disease caused by "Pseudomonas". It is commonly found to infect plants during the cooler months. If you're seeing small, water-soaked areas, rapidly enlarging and turning black with the leaves eventually falling off...this is probably what it is.

There are some things you can do to try to save your plant;

1) Avoid spraying or misting the plant since this will provide a means for the bacteria to spread.

2) Water when necessary and make sure to remove any standing water from the saucer under your plant afterwards.

3) Remove infected leaves and dispose of them in the trash.

4) Spray a bacteriacide such as "Phyton 27" or another product called "Kocide". Both contain copper and the downside to using them is that they could stunt your plant after repeated applications.

Neither will eradicate the bacteria entirely but it might help slow its spread to healthy foilage. Please be sure to follow the instructions carefully before making any applications and wear gloves since some people are allergic to copper.

Not sure if you can find either product at the hardware stores but here's one of a few sites I found that sells Phyton 27;

http://rosecare1.stores.yahoo.net/products-diseases.html

Hope this information helps and you're able to save your plant.
GOOD LUCK!

(certified professional crop consultant with a degree in plant science)

Answer 2

Basements are usually damp and dark places. Not a place in which a plant usually strives very well.
Remember that when the plant moves inside it is going to go through a period of acclimating. Expect the plant to thin out and loose some leaves.
It needs to have high sunlight and be in about 60 to 80 degree temp.
Just remember........
* Don't keep the plant wet
* Place the plant in as bright an area as you can
* Watch out for mites
* Don't be afraid to prune when needed
Good luck

Answer 3

try watering them each time you water with miracle grow!that should provide the right amount of fertlizer for this plant!and dont over water! and if its not good old fashion sun light instead of house lights that could be the problem!

Answer 4

The first answer is good, though it sounds to me like you have a case of root rot.

Answer 5

Might be excessive fertilizer ??