Powdery Spots on Nopales Paddle

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matsugirl Palmer, AK Sep 18, 2014

I posted in Aug about Nopales as a houseplant. I have Nopales in two different pots. I was given several pads that are supposed to have red flowers when it blooms, that I put in one pot (pic in older post). And I was given a small pad that is supposed to have yellow flowers. I put this pad in a separate pot.
I noticed today, that this pad has several spots of white powder on it. It doesn't look like bugs. I am thinking it might be some kind of a mold.Do I keep this plant? I don't want my other houseplants to get infected.

Thumbnail by matsugirl
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Baja_Costero Baja California, Mexico(Zone 11) Sep 19, 2014

Looks like scale to me... try wiping the pad clean with a paper towel or Q-tip soaked in ethanol or rubbing alcohol. If it's scale, all you have to do is remove the offending bugs and keep an eye on the pad to make sure they don't come back. Each bug should stick pretty tight but pop off with a careful sideways motion (the alcohol helps).

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Diana_K Contra Costa County, CA(Zone 9b) Sep 21, 2014

I agree- sure looks like scale, to me, too.

Scale is an insect with a 2-part life cycle.
The adults are the spots you see. A bug with a shell, well stuck to the plant.
The babies are called crawlers, and they crawl away from the mother to look for a new spot to colonize.

Treating such a small, open plant as this cactus is easy- do just as Baja_Costero says.
Then watch it, just in case there were any crawlers that you missed (they are small).

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matsugirl Palmer, AK Sep 30, 2014

Thank you both for your help! I will try the alcohol and see if it will help.

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