Unhappy little plant

I don't know what this plant is. I have asked for help in the Plant ID forum.

But it has three problems. First it has a white powdery coating (mildew??). Two weeks ago I used a qtip with rubbing alchohol and cleaned all surfaces. But the white powdery coating is back.

Second problem is the larger leaves are starting to curl up.

Third, center surfaces on the older leaves are getting a bronze scaley coating and then the leaves turn black and die.

I had been letting the soil dry out before watering. But maybe this is the wrong thing to do. The plants seems more on the succulant side though.

Also, I keep it in a north facing window, plenty of indirect light.

Last year around this time it was much smaller but bloomed with little rose colored flowers. Not this year, no buds or anything.

Thanks for any help
Jennifer

Here is another picture of the problems
Jennifer

Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is probably what you have. Powdery mildew is common on kalanchoe. It shows up as a (what else) powdery looking coating that covers the leaves and twigs of the plant. Often though, very fine webbing develops between the leaves and stems and is sometimes mistaken as evidence of spider mites. Often too, leaves develop various spots and/or necrotic (dead) areas. New blooms are often deformed or don't occur at all.

Al

Thank you, Al.

I do believe now it is a kalanchoe.

How should I treat the powedery mildew? Or is it futile? Should I just ditch the poor thing?

Jennifer

The brown spots look like they could be oedema, also common when over-watering enters the picture.

It's always difficult for me to tell you what to do - not because I don't know how to treat it, but because I don't know how far you want to go or how you feel about using an over-the-counter systemic fungicide with tebuconazole in it. Fungal infections are best treated prophylactically (by preventing them altogether). If it was my plant, and I really wanted to save it, I would use the systemic, wait 1 week, then cut it back hard and make another application. I would follow the second application by a third, 2 weeks after the second.

The plants are readily available at many big box stores, so it might be worth it to retire the one you have in favor of another. Remember, they tolerate dry conditions very well, so don't over-water, and they need sun and good air circulation to keep PM at bay.

Al

Thank you again, Al.

I have moved the plant to a direct sun window (in case we happen to get any sun!). I guess I will try to get the mildew under control. For some reason I am attached to this little plant. I had been letting it dry out so I will keep with that routine.

Jennifer