Thrips

• Thrips are small flying insects with long hairs around the edges of their wings. They only grow to be about 1/20 inch long and their color ranges from yellow, to brown or black, depending on the species. Thrips damage Ti plants by sucking the sap out of the leaves. Symptoms of damage include silvery scars or rough areas where their mouthparts have pierced the leaves. In addition, leaves curl and become distorted. Control thrips by spraying plants with a strong spray of water to knock them off the plant. Prune and destroy infested plant parts. Avoid using fertilizers with high levels of nitrogen because thrip populations increase when exposed to high levels of nitrogen.
  
  

Mites

• Broad mites are translucent or light brown, 8-legged pests that are almost microscopic in size. Larvae have six legs and a ridged skin that makes them look whitish. Adult mites are only .08 inch long and larvae are 1/2 that size. Like thrips, broad mites damage Ti plants by sucking the sap out of the leaves, causing them to curl down, turn bronze in color and become deformed. In addition, leaves may wilt and flowers may fail to open normally. Control broad mites by immersing infested plants in water that is 105 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes. This temperature range won't harm the plant but will kill the mites.
  
  

Anthracnose

• Anthracnose is a fungal infection that causes small brown or black spots or irregular dead areas to appear on the leaves. Young leaves may become curled and distorted, and leaves may drop from the plant if the infection is severe. Anthracnose can also cause brown spots on the stems as well. Diseased leaves should be pruned and destroyed.
  
  

Magnesium Deficiency

• Foliage plants often suffer from magnesium deficiencies, according to North Carolina University Extension, because magnesium leaches from the soil and isn't replaced. Plants that don't have enough magnesium grow slower and the leaves may curl up or down. In addition, the oldest leaves on a Ti plant will develop yellow bands along the edges, while the large vein down the middle of the leaf remains green. As the deficiency grows worse, the entire leaf may turn yellow and the tips begin to die. Correct magnesium deficiencies by spraying leaves with a solution of 1 tsp. of Epsom salts dissolved in a gallon of water.