Scheflera pest?

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Doc0Rx Vienna, VA Jul 28, 2010

My 15 year old scheflera has been doing well for all these years and now these weird beige to greyish spots are showing up on its' leaves. I've attached a picture. It started on the lower leaves and is spreading upwards. The leaves eventually fall off. Some turn totally yellow before falling and some stay green (but still have those spots on them).The only change I noted is that the room that it lives has been on the warm side (82 degrees Farenheight) due to the recent heat wave. Any ideas? Could it be a bug pest? Thanks in advance for your help?

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Post #8002009
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tapla Bay City, MI(Zone 6a) Jul 28, 2010

My first guess would be thrips.

Have you repotted (as opposed to simply potting up) lately?

Al

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Doc0Rx Vienna, VA Jul 28, 2010

Thank you Al for taking your time to write me a response. Do you think one of those products with garlic oil & clove oil might work to knock thrips off? Or do I have to go to toxic pesticides? I have to admit that I have not repotted this plant in recent history. Sounds like you're thinking it could have outgrown the pot. I can definitely see that as a possibility. I appreciate your help.
Vic

Post #8002732
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tapla Bay City, MI(Zone 6a) Jul 28, 2010

Most hobby growers don't realize that once a plant becomes root bound to the point where the soil and root mass can be pulled from the pot intact, that growth and vitality is negatively affected from that point on. Even potting up, after the plant has reached that stage of being root bound, only returns the plant part way to it's growth/vitality potential, so it's usually a pretty safe bet that if a plant is 3 years old or older, it's suffering from lost potential - usually visually, if you know what to look for.

The picture isn't clear, but very often those silvery tan/gray and somewhat calloused blemished are a good indicator of thrips, but it's difficult to tell from a picture. There are fungal infections with symptoms much like those in the pic, too.

I'm reluctant to advise a treatment on the forum, but if you d-mail me, I'll tell you what (over counter) remedy I'd use.

Al

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