I just brought this plant home yesterday and it seems to have an aggressive pest on the underside of the leaves. I have treated it with insecticidal soap but I don't think it is effective and not slowing it down. I'm trying to identify what it might be and how best to treat it. Any suggestions? Thank you.
Why don't you post your question in the Garden Pests and Diseases forum? I think you'd have much better luck as there are some very knowledgeable people in that field that regularly check that forum.
Here's the link. Good Luck!
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/f/pad/all/
Thanks! I will. I'll remove this thread shortly.
Can you describe the pest so others that have the same problem might get helpful info too.
Does it have wings, what colour, is is sucking, it will help to know more.
Good luck WeeNel.
I think it is scale. There are many types of scale.....
Spraying with horticultural oil will, eventually, suffocate them,
as these live under a waxy shell and they need air to survive.
So repeat every 7-10 days until they are gone.
I have dealt with scale by wiping down the underside of every leaf with
a cotton pad dipped in alcohol. Be thorough. Support the leaf on your palm.
Repeat at one week intervals at least three times.
Keep checking for new baby scales. They hide well...
A longer-term solution is to treat the soil and plant with a Systemic
product, but this may take 2-3 weeks to be effective.
Systemics are absorbed into the "system" of the plant and, eventually, all the
juices become toxic to any sucking insects.
If you have cats that chew on plants--DO NOT use systemics!!
Good luck! Gita
