Plant Diagnosis & Treatment Plans

🎯 What You'll Learn

• Diagnosis process - How AI analyzes symptoms
• Common diagnoses - Pests, diseases, care issues
• Treatment plans - Step-by-step recovery guides
• Photo analysis - What AI sees in images
• Monitoring progress - Track treatment effectiveness

⚡ Quick Start

Get diagnosis in 2 minutes:

1. Describe symptoms: "Brown spots on leaves"
2. Upload photo of problem area
3. Answer follow-up questions from AI
4. Receive diagnosis + treatment plan

Result: Know what's wrong and how to fix it!

📚 Complete Guide

Diagnosis Process

How Plant Doctor Analyzes

Initial Assessment

Step 1: Symptom Analysis

When you describe problem, Plant Doctor analyzes:

Visual Symptoms:

• Leaf discoloration (yellow, brown, black)
• Spots or patterns
• Leaf texture (crispy, soft, wilted)
• Growth issues (stunted, leggy)
• Stem condition

Timing Information:

• How long symptoms present
• Speed of progression (rapid vs slow)
• Seasonal timing (winter dormancy vs summer growth)

Context Clues:

• Recent changes in care
• Environmental factors
• Previous treatments attempted

Follow-Up Questions

Step 2: Gathering Details

Plant Doctor may ask:

Care Routine:

• "How often do you water?"
• "When did you last fertilize?"
• "What type of soil are you using?"
• "Where is the plant located?"

Environment:

• "What's the room temperature?"
• "How much light does it get?"
• "Is humidity controlled?"
• "Any nearby heating/AC vents?"

History:

• "Have you repotted recently?"
• "Any pest issues in past?"
• "Is this a new plant?"
• "Previous health problems?"

💡 Tip: Detailed answers lead to more accurate diagnosis!

Photo Analysis

Step 3: Visual Inspection

What AI Sees:

Leaf Condition

• Color variations - Yellowing patterns, brown spots, discoloration
• Texture - Crispy edges, wilting, firmness
• Surface - Webbing, residue, powder, bumps
• Pattern - Random vs systematic, old vs new leaves

Pest Detection

• Visible insects - Aphids, mealybugs, scale
• Pest evidence - Webbing (spider mites), sticky residue (aphids), white fluff (mealybugs)
• Damage patterns - Stippling, holes, chewed edges

Disease Signs

• Fungal growth - Powdery mildew, black spots, fuzzy mold
• Rot indicators - Mushy tissue, dark discoloration
• Bacterial issues - Water-soaked spots, oozing

Environmental Stress

• Sun damage - Bleached areas, crispy brown spots
• Cold damage - Blackened tissue, mushy leaves
• Drought stress - Curled leaves, dry edges
• Overwatering - Edema, yellowing from bottom up

Diagnosis Delivery

Step 4: Results + Confidence

Format:

🔍 DIAGNOSIS: Overwatering + Root Rot

Confidence: High (92%)

Evidence:
✅ Yellowing lower leaves
✅ Soft stems near base
✅ Soil remains wet for 7+ days
✅ Photo shows edema on leaves
✅ Mushy texture visible

Most Likely Cause: Excessive watering combined 
with poor drainage, leading to root rot.

Treatment Plan: [See below]

Confidence Levels:

• High (85%+) - Very likely correct, proceed with treatment
• Medium (70-84%) - Probable diagnosis, monitor closely
• Low (<70%) - Multiple possibilities, may need professional consultation

Common Diagnoses

What Plant Doctor Detects

Watering Issues

Most Common Problem (60% of diagnoses)

Overwatering

Symptoms AI Detects:

• 💛 Yellowing leaves (bottom first)
• 💧 Wilting despite wet soil
• 🟤 Brown soft spots on leaves
• 🦠 Mold on soil surface
• 🤢 Foul smell from soil

Root Rot Indicators:

• Mushy stems near base
• Dark discoloration of lower leaves
• Plant easily falls over (weak roots)
• Soil stays wet for 7+ days

Treatment Plan:

Immediate Actions (Today):

1. Stop watering completely
2. Remove from pot and inspect roots
3. Trim brown/mushy roots with sterilized scissors
4. Let roots air dry for 2-3 hours

Repotting (Day 1):

1. New pot with drainage holes
2. Fresh well-draining soil (add perlite if needed)
3. Repot carefully without compacting soil
4. Don't water immediately - wait 3-5 days

Ongoing Care (Weeks 1-4):

1. Water only when top 2 inches dry (test with finger)
2. Ensure drainage - never standing water in saucer
3. Monitor daily for improvement signs
4. Remove dead leaves as they appear

Expected Recovery: 2-4 weeks for new growth, 6-8 weeks for full recovery

Prevention:

• Let soil dry between waterings
• Use pots with drainage holes
• Check moisture before watering
• Reduce watering in winter

Underwatering

Symptoms AI Detects:

• 🍂 Drooping leaves
• 🥔 Dry, crispy leaf edges
• 🌾 Soil pulls away from pot edges
• 📉 Slow/stopped growth
• 💀 Leaves dropping from stress

Treatment Plan:

Immediate Actions:

1. Water thoroughly until drains from bottom
2. Bottom watering for severely dry soil:
   • Place pot in water-filled tray
   • Let soak 30-60 minutes
   • Remove and drain excess
3. Mist leaves to provide immediate hydration
4. Move to cooler spot temporarily (reduce transpiration)

Recovery Care (Week 1-2):

1. Increase watering frequency (but don't overcompensate!)
2. Water consistently - establish routine
3. Monitor soil moisture daily
4. Trim dead/crispy leaves to redirect energy

Expected Recovery: 3-7 days for turgor return, 2-3 weeks for full recovery

Prevention:

• Set watering reminders
• Check soil regularly
• Water before severe wilting
• Adjust for seasonal changes

Light Problems

Second Most Common (20% of diagnoses)

Too Much Light (Sunburn)

Symptoms:

• 🔥 Brown crispy patches on leaves
• 💛 Faded/bleached colors
• 🌞 Damage on window-facing side
• 🥵 Curled leaves (heat stress)

Treatment:

1. Move immediately - 3-5 feet from window or use sheer curtain
2. Remove damaged leaves - won't recover, redirect energy
3. Increase humidity - mist or use humidifier (heat stressed)
4. Monitor new growth - should be healthy color

Recovery: 1-2 weeks for stress to subside, new growth in 2-4 weeks

Too Little Light (Etiolation)

Symptoms:

• 🌱 Leggy, stretched stems
• 📏 Long spaces between leaves (internodes)
• 🍃 Small new leaves
• 🐌 Very slow growth
• 💛 Pale or light green color

Treatment:

1. Relocate to brighter spot - gradually increase light
2. Rotate plant weekly - even growth on all sides
3. Prune leggy growth - encourage bushier growth
4. Supplement with grow light if no bright windows

Recovery: 4-8 weeks for compact new growth

Pest Infestations

15% of diagnoses

Spider Mites

How AI Identifies:

• 🕸️ Fine webbing between leaves/stems
• 🔴 Tiny moving dots (visible on white paper test)
• 📍 Stippled/speckled leaves (tiny yellow dots)
• 💀 Severe cases: leaves turn bronze/brown

Treatment Protocol:

Week 1 (Immediate):

1. Isolate plant - prevent spread
2. Shower plant - strong water spray knocks off mites
3. Neem oil spray (3% solution):
   • Mix: 1 tbsp neem oil + 1 tsp dish soap per liter water
   • Spray ALL surfaces (tops, bottoms, stems)
   • Apply in evening (avoid sun damage)
4. Increase humidity - mites hate moisture

Weeks 2-3 (Ongoing):

• Reapply neem every 3 days (6 total applications)
• Daily inspections - check for new webbing
• Shower weekly - supplement neem treatment
• Wipe leaves with damp cloth daily

Week 4 (Assessment):

• No webbing for 7 days = success!
• Continue monitoring weekly for 1 month
• Can return to normal location

Success Rate: 85-90% with consistent treatment

Aphids

How AI Identifies:

• 🐛 Small soft-bodied insects (green/black/yellow)
• 💧 Sticky honeydew residue on leaves
• 🦠 Sooty mold (black powder) on honeydew
• 🌀 Curled/distorted new growth

Treatment:

1. Spray with water - strong stream to dislodge
2. Insecticidal soap - natural treatment:
   • 2 tbsp castile soap per quart water
   • Spray until dripping
   • Rinse after 2-3 hours
3. Repeat every 2-3 days for 2 weeks
4. Introduce ladybugs (biological control) for outdoor plants

Recovery: 2-3 weeks for elimination

Mealybugs

How AI Identifies:

• ☁️ White cottony masses on stems/leaves
• 🏡 Clustered in leaf joints and undersides
• 💧 Sticky residue present
• 📍 Slow-moving small white insects

Treatment:

1. Remove manually - Q-tip dipped in rubbing alcohol
2. Dab each mealybug directly - alcohol dissolves coating
3. Spray with alcohol solution (70% rubbing alcohol + water 1:1)
4. Weekly treatments for 4-6 weeks (life cycle is 2 weeks)
5. Check nearby plants - mealybugs spread easily

Recovery: 4-6 weeks for complete elimination

Scale Insects

How AI Identifies:

• 🟤 Brown/tan bumps on stems/leaves
• 🛡️ Hard shell covering insect
• 💧 Sticky honeydew under plant
• 📍 Stationary bumps (don't move)

Treatment:

1. Scrape off manually - use fingernail or soft brush
2. Alcohol wipes - rubbing alcohol on cotton pad, wipe each scale
3. Horticultural oil - suffocates remaining scale:
   • Apply thoroughly every 7 days
   • 3-4 applications needed
4. Systemic insecticide (severe cases) - absorbed by roots

Recovery: 6-8 weeks (scale reproduces slowly)

Diseases

10% of diagnoses

Fungal Infections

Types AI Detects:

Powdery Mildew

• ☁️ White/gray powder on leaf surfaces
• 🍃 Affects leaves, stems, flowers
• 💨 Spreads in high humidity + poor air circulation

Treatment:

1. Improve air circulation - fan on low setting
2. Remove affected leaves - won't recover
3. Baking soda spray:
   • 1 tsp baking soda + 1 quart water + few drops dish soap
   • Spray weekly for 3-4 weeks
4. Reduce humidity if possible
5. Fungicide (severe cases) - as directed

Root Rot (Fungal)

• 🦠 Fusarium, Pythium, or Phytophthora fungi
• 🟤 Brown mushy roots (healthy roots are white/cream)
• 💀 Yellowing leaves, wilting, plant collapse

Treatment: See Overwatering section (repot, trim roots, fresh soil)

Bacterial Leaf Spot

How AI Identifies:

• 🔴 Water-soaked spots with yellow halos
• 🟤 Spots turn brown/black as they age
• 💧 May ooze liquid
• 📈 Spreads rapidly in warm/humid conditions

Treatment:

1. Remove affected leaves immediately
2. Improve air circulation - space out plants
3. Avoid overhead watering - water soil directly
4. Copper fungicide spray every 7-10 days
5. Isolate plant - bacterial spot is contagious

Recovery: 3-4 weeks if caught early

Nutrient Deficiencies

5% of diagnoses

Nitrogen Deficiency

Symptoms:

• 💛 Overall yellowing (old leaves first)
• 🐌 Slow growth
• 🍃 Small pale new leaves
• 📉 Reduced vigor

Treatment:

1. Fertilize with high-nitrogen fertilizer (e.g., 20-10-10)
2. Apply weekly at half strength for 4 weeks
3. Then monthly at full strength
4. Monitor new growth - should be darker green

Recovery: 2-3 weeks for visible improvement

Iron Deficiency (Chlorosis)

Symptoms:

• 💛 Yellow leaves with green veins (distinctive pattern)
• 🌱 Affects new growth first (opposite of nitrogen)
• 🍃 Severe cases: leaves turn white

Treatment:

1. Chelated iron supplement - water-soluble form
2. Check soil pH - iron unavailable if pH too high
3. Acidify soil if needed (sulfur or acidic fertilizer)
4. Foliar spray for immediate boost

Recovery: 1-2 weeks for new growth to green up

Magnesium Deficiency

Symptoms:

• 💛 Yellowing between leaf veins (interveinal chlorosis)
• 🍂 Old leaves affected first
• 🟤 Brown spots may develop
• 🍃 Leaf edges curl up

Treatment:

1. Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate):
   • 1 tsp per gallon of water
   • Apply as soil drench
   • Once per month
2. Magnesium-containing fertilizer
3. Improve drainage if waterlogged (reduces uptake)

Recovery: 2-4 weeks

Treatment Plan Components

What Every Plan Includes

Immediate Actions

What to Do Right Now:

• ⏰ Time-sensitive steps - Must be done today
• 🚨 Emergency measures - Prevent further damage
• 🛑 What NOT to do - Avoid making worse

Example:

IMMEDIATE ACTIONS (Today):
✅ Isolate plant from others (prevent pest spread)
✅ Remove heavily infested leaves
✅ Shower plant to wash off pests
❌ DON'T fertilize (plant is stressed)
❌ DON'T repot yet (wait until treated)

Treatment Protocol

Step-by-Step Guide:

Week-by-Week Breakdown

• Week 1: Intensive treatment begins
• Week 2-3: Ongoing treatment schedule
• Week 4+: Monitoring and prevention

Application Instructions

• How to apply treatment
• How often to repeat
• How long to continue
• What to look for as signs of improvement

Example:

TREATMENT PROTOCOL:

Week 1:
- Day 1: First neem oil application (evening)
- Day 3: Second application
- Day 5: Third application
- Day 7: Assess progress

Weeks 2-3:
- Continue applications every 3 days
- Total of 6 applications over 3 weeks
- Monitor daily for new pest activity

Week 4:
- If clear for 7 days, treatment successful
- Continue monitoring weekly for 1 month

Expected Recovery Timeline

When to See Results:

• 📅 Short-term (3-7 days) - Immediate symptoms stabilize
• 📅 Medium-term (2-4 weeks) - Visible improvement
• 📅 Long-term (4-8 weeks) - Full recovery

Progress Indicators:

• ✅ No new damage appearing
• ✅ New growth healthy
• ✅ Plant vigor returning
• ✅ Treatment working as expected

Prevention Tips

Avoid Recurrence:

Care Adjustments

• Changes to watering schedule
• Light/location modifications
• Humidity improvements
• Fertilization schedule

Monitoring Routine

• Weekly health checks
• Monthly preventive treatments
• Environmental controls
• Early detection practices

Example:

PREVENTION:

Care Changes:
✅ Water only when top 2 inches dry (not on schedule)
✅ Ensure 30%+ humidity (use humidifier)
✅ Fertilize monthly during growing season
✅ Prune for air circulation

Monitoring:
✅ Check underside of leaves weekly (pest detection)
✅ Inspect soil moisture before watering
✅ Track watering dates in diary
✅ Monthly deep inspection of all plants

💡 Tips & Tricks

Take "Before" Photos

Document Starting Point:

• Photo before treatment starts
• Weekly progress photos
• "After" photo when recovered
• Compare side-by-side for motivation
• Share success story with community

Follow Treatment Exactly

Don't Skip Steps:

• Complete full treatment course (even if looks better)
• Pests/fungi have life cycles - partial treatment = recurrence
• Mark calendar for treatment days
• Set reminders for applications

Log in Diary

Document Everything:

• Create diary entry with diagnosis
• Log each treatment application
• Note progress observations
• Reference when similar issue appears

Isolate Affected Plants

Prevent Spread:

• Pests and diseases are contagious
• Keep 3+ feet from other plants
• Treat in isolation area
• Only return when fully recovered (2+ weeks clear)

❓ Common Questions

Q: What if treatment isn't working after 2 weeks?

A: Contact Plant Doctor again with update:

• "Followed treatment for 2 weeks, but..."
• Upload new photos showing current state
• AI may suggest alternative treatment or refer to professional

Q: Can I use home remedies instead of products?

A: Many home remedies work! Plant Doctor suggests:

• Neem oil - Natural pest control
• Insecticidal soap - DIY with castile soap
• Baking soda - Fungal infections
• Rubbing alcohol - Mealybugs However, severe cases may need commercial products.

Q: Should I fertilize while treating pest/disease?

A: No! Stressed plants shouldn't be fertilized. Wait until:

• Treatment complete (no pests/disease for 2+ weeks)
• New healthy growth appearing
• Plant vigor restored Then resume fertilization gradually.

Q: How do I know if recovery is progressing?

A: Look for: ✅ No NEW damage appearing (most important) ✅ Pest activity decreasing ✅ New growth healthy color/texture ✅ Plant not declining further Even if old damage remains, new growth = recovery!

🔗 Related Topics

Essential Reading

• Consultation Process - How to ask questions
• AI Capabilities - What AI can detect

Tracking Recovery

• Treatment Tracking - Monitor progress
• Diary Entries - Document treatments

Related Features

• Care Info Tab - Optimize care routine
• Reminders - Schedule treatments

Last Updated: October 24, 2025
Document Version: 2.0 (Modular Structure)