I hope someone can identify the white powdery substance on this rather old (maybe 30 years or so) azalea. Also the color of the bark is greyish, in some cases almost black.
Any information as to what this is and even better, what (if anything) can be done about it. (other azaleas nearby all look normal)
Thanks in advance
Hank
Looks like Mealy Bug to me
Mealy bugs are white, soft-bodied insects that suck plant juices, sometimes people mistake a mealy bug infestation for a fungus.
See sample photo
http://www.hibiscus.org.au/bugs/mealy.jpg
You can treat it organically or chemically depends on your preference
organic:
Prune and discard infected portions of the plant
and or use insecticidal soap. Spray the plant thoroughly every 5 day for 4 weeks to cover all stages of growth.
For smaller infestations, dab the insects with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. Repeat this procedure every week until the bugs are gone.
chemical: imunox or sevin spray both work
It would be good to take care of it quicly so they don't spread to your other azelas
Good luck
Dovey
Thanks for the advice. I will go out to Home Depot tomorrow morning and see what they have for mealy bugs.
Hank
