My Turk's Cap was starting to bloom recently, but now I don't see any blooms and I think this is to blame. They appear at the tips of many branches just like in my picture.
There is an entry in the bug files (page 1 as luck would have it) for a pest called a Magnolia Scale and it looks very similar to the bugs in my photo.
Anyone know what this is for sure, and how I can eradicate them organically, if possible?
They do appear to be some kind of scale which can be difficult to treat organically because it's difficult to treat them period. Most chemicals or organic controls roll right off of the adults without killing them. There may be a natural-oil based product that will kill them but applying it at the heavy rate that would be necessary could kill them could damage and/or kill your plant in the process. Could you possibly just take an alcohol-soaked cloth and wipe down the stems?
Someone on another forum recommended the same thing you did- a 50/50 mix of rubbing alcohol and water. I will try that tonight.
