Why are the green radish leaves rolled up?
As a common indoor leaf-viewing plant, the sudden curling of green radish leaves will always make the conservator feel more anxious. This article will systematically analyze the four major causes of green radish rolling leaves, and provide highly operable solutions to help your green radish regain its stretched posture. Analysis of the causes of green radish rolled leaves 1. Invasion of pests (red spiders/aphids) When white spider webs or dense black spots appear on the leaves, it usually indicates red spider or aphids invasion. These pests cause the leaves to dry and curl by sucking on leaf sap. It is recommended to use a soft brush to remove visible insects, and then alternately spray matrine (once a week) and azadirachtin (once every other week) for 3 weeks to eradicate the pests. 2. Water imbalance (water shortage/water accumulation) The root system of green radish is extremely sensitive to water. When there is water shortage, the leaves will be curled to reduce transpiration, while water accumulation will cause root system rot and cause water absorption obstacles. It is recommended to use the "three-finger test method": insert the index finger into the second joint in the soil, pour water thoroughly when it is dry, and postpone watering when it is wet. Be aware that you need to reduce the amount of watering by 50% in winter. 3. Abnormal light (strong light burns) Green radish will appear protective leaf curl after 3 hours under strong light>30000lux. The ideal illumination should be maintained in the range of 5,000 - 10,000 lux, which can be detected by an illuminometer. The best place is the east-facing window sill or 1.5 meters away from the south window. In summer, gauze curtains need to be installed to filter strong light. 4. Substrate problems (hardening/poor air permeability) Soil hardening can restrict root respiration, leading to blocked nutrient absorption and causing leaf curling. It is recommended to use a golden ratio substrate: 40% peat soil +30% perlite +20% coconut bran +10% slow-release fertilizer. When changing pots every spring, pruning 1/3 of the old roots can promote the development of new roots.
Through targeted adjustment of maintenance measures, the problem of green radish leaf rolling can usually be improved within 2-3 weeks. It is recommended to conduct "three inspections and one test" every month: check leaf back pests, soil moisture, root system status, and light intensity to prevent leaf curling from occurring at the source. Combined with regular foliar spraying of seaweed fertilizer (diluted 1500 times), the leaves can be thickened by 30%, significantly improving stress resistance.