9 Causes of Dying Cardamom Plant and How to Fix Them

Cardamom belongs to the ginger family. Cardamom has thick knobby rhizomes, which create upright shoots that bear long, narrow, dark green leaves. In late spring or summer, leafless flowering stems spread from the base, producing white to yellowish-white flowers reminiscent of orchids, with lilac-purple veins and pink or yellow margins. Depending on the variety, the hairless stems are horizontal, upright, or somewhere in between.

While the stems are not aromatic, these 1 to 2-inch-long blooms give way to small, aromatic, pale yellowish-green fruit pods. Unfortunately, cardamom plants are susceptible to various diseases and conditions that can lead to their death. Knowing the causes of dying cardamom plants and how to fix them is essential to keeping your cardamom plant healthy and safe.

9 Causes of Dying Cardamom Plant

Why is My Cardamom Plant Dying in Summer Heat, and How Can I Save It?

The summer heat can be challenging for cardamom plants, especially if they are not in the right environment. Cardamom plants require high humidity and moist soil to thrive, neither of which are typically found in hot summer climates. Cardamom plants need shade from direct sunlight, as long periods of direct sun can cause the leaves to dry and the plant to become stressed. 10° to 35°C is the temperature range for this crop.

To save your cardamom plant from the summer heat, first, ensure your cardamom plant is in a spot that gets partial shade throughout the day. This will keep the plant cool and protect it from the sun’s intense rays. Regularly check the soil for moisture. Consider adding mulch around the plant to help keep it cool and moist. If you are growing your cardamom plant in a pot, ensure it’s in a pot large enough for its needs and getting enough water. Ensure the pot has sufficient drainage so the soil does not become waterlogged.

Preventing Cardamom Plant Death From Fungal Infections: Effective Remedies and Prevention Tips

Damping off / rhizome rot/clump rot: The infection starts at the collar region of the seedlings and spreads. Leaves start paling, leading to wilting and ultimate death. The best control measure lies in providing proper drainage, especially during the rainy season, and avoiding the crowding of plants in the nursery beds. Spraying one percent Bordeaux mixture or any other copper fungicide at fortnightly intervals is a prophylactic measure against this disease.

Azhukal disease/capsule rot/fruit rot: Remove and burn infected plants to prevent this infection. Avoid moving rhizomes from diseased areas to healthy areas for planting. Provide proper drainage. Spraying the plants and drenching the soil with copper fungicides would reduce the disease incidence and damage.

Identifying Nutrient Deficiencies in Cardamom Plant and Remedies to Revive Them

Potassium is one of the nutrient deficiencies in the cardamom plant. The symptoms start from the margins and become necrotic brown color. Drying starts from the leaf tip towards the base. The leaf becomes pale green and turns yellow with a scorching appearance. Correction Measure: Foliar spray of K2SO4 at 1% at fortnightly intervals. Nitrogen deficiency is another common nutrient deficiency that causes stunted growth. To eliminate this deficiency, you can apply a fertilizer high in nitrogen and phosphorus.

Apply quick-release nitrogen fertilizers like urea as per soil test results in split doses. As an immediate solution, applies urea as a foliar spray (10 gram /liter of water) once in 15 days till the deficiency is over. The application of organic growth promoters at frequent intervals is also advantageous. For good results, use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 3-1-2. This will help to provide the proper nutrients for the plant without over-fertilizing.

How to Protect Cardamom Plant from Pests and Diseases to Prevent Decline and Death

Pests

Shoot Fly: Results in wilting and drying off of the unopened terminal leaves. Remove and destroy affected shoots at ground level. Apply Dimethoate or Quinalphos or Methylparathion at 0.05% conc.
Spotted Red Spider Mite: Spider mites spin webs and colonize under the surface of leaves. They suck plant sap from leaves. Spray dicofol at 200 ml/100 liter water, Sulphur 80 WP at 250 grams/100 liter, Dimethoate at 167 ml/100 liter, or Phosalone 200 ml/100 liter on the lower surface of leaves.
Cutworm: It feeds on seedlings’ leaves and pupates in the soil. Spray Monocrotophos at the base of the seedlings
Nematodes: Necrosis of leaf tips and margins, narrowing of leaves, thickening of veins, reduction of intermodal length, the appearance of leaves as a rosette, and reduction in plant growth. During plantation, apply Carbofuran at 60-80 grams per plant or 20-40 grams of Phorate with 300-500 grams of neem oil cake per plant.

Diseases

Nilgiri Necrosis Disease / Viral & Systemic disease: Plants show alternate light green and whitish to yellowish streaks on the leaves in mosaic. Plant sanitation by rouging of affected plants can control the disease.
Leaf Spot: Copper fungicides are the most effective disease control. As the disease is most prevalent during the rainy months, periodical sprays at fortnightly intervals would ensure considerable protection from the disease. Removing severely infected seedlings in the nursery will help arrest the further spread of the disease.

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Overwatering Issues in Cardamom Plant: Signs, Symptoms, and Steps to Rescue a Dying Plant

If overwatered, the plant roots begin to rot, and the plant wilt. Reduce your watering frequency when you fear your plants are being overwatered. If you tend to overwater, you need to monitor your drainage; we advise you to opt for a pot with drainage holes if it is not already the case and a saucer. If your pots don’t already have holes, you can add volcanic rocks (or any other pebbles with holes) to the bottom of your pot. This will assist in creating a channel and keep the water from pooling there for an extended period, protecting the roots from decay.

Underwatering Issues in Cardamom Plant: Signs, Symptoms, and Steps to Rescue a Dying Tree

You can tell if your cardamom plant needs water by touching the soil; if it still feels damp, waiting a few more days is usually preferable. If the leaf tips turn brown, you have underwater. To fix this problem, water your cardamom plant regularly. Generally, the soil should be kept moist and never allowed to dry out completely.

You can water your cardamom plant every 1-2 days based on the temperature and humidity. Be aware of the drainage of your pot. If unsure how often to water, stick your finger into the soil one inch deep and see if it is dry. If it is, then you have to water. Adding an organic mulch to the top of the soil can also keep the soil moist.

Cardamom Plant Winter Damage/Dying: Protecting Plants from Frost and Cold Temperatures

It cannot survive the cold temperatures of winter and can die if temperatures are below 10°. If the temperatures drop below freezing, the cardamom plant will die. Move your cardamom plant indoors and keep it in a warm, such as a greenhouse, since temperatures below 10°C can cause the leaves change to yellow and eventually die.

Additionally, the plant must be watered regularly to ensure its survival. During the winter months, cardamom plants should be kept in a sunny location protected from the coldest temperatures, as they can only survive in temperatures above 10°C.

Improper Pruning May Cause Cardamom Plant Death: Pruning Methods for Healthy Growth

Pruning cardamom plants is a great way to ensure healthy growth. Prune dead or diseased branches and foliage and thinning out crowded areas of the plant. To prune a cardamom plant, start by examining the plant for dead or diseased branches and foliage. Cut these away from the plant with sharp pruning shears. Then, look for any overcrowded areas in the plant, such as branches crossing over each other or dense clusters of foliage.

Carefully thin these areas out, cutting away some branches and foliage to allow the other branches and foliage to receive more light and air. Finally, remove any spent or browning leaves from the plant. This helps the plant to conserve energy and focus its resources on producing healthy new growth. Pruning your cardamom plants regularly will help them stay healthy and vibrant.

Reviving a Stressed Cardamom Plant: Rehabilitation Methods for Overall Recovery

If you have a cardamom plant that’s become stressed, check the soil to make sure that it has enough moisture. If it’s too dry, water the plant and check the soil again after a few days. If it’s still too dry, add more organic matter to the soil to hold moisture. Ensure the plant is getting enough light. Move it to a sunnier spot if it’s not getting enough light. Examine the plant’s leaves and stems for signs of pests or diseases.

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If there are any, use an appropriate pesticide or fungicide to treat the plant. Prune dead or damaged leaves and stems of the plant to focus its energy on recovering. A stressed cardamom plant can return to full health with the right care and attention. By assessing the underlying cause of the stress, amending the soil, fertilizing properly, and look for any signs of disease or pests, it is possible to rehabilitate the plant and ensure a successful recovery.

Conclusion

By understanding the causes of dying cardamom plants and taking the precautionary steps to fix them to ensure the health of your plant. With the proper care and attention, your cardamom plant can thrive and provide you with years of fragrant blooms and delicious spice.

9 Causes of Dying Cardamom Plant and How to Fix Them?