I have recently purchased a Rosemary ARP and it came with what looks to be small white dust on many (not all) of the leaves. In some areas it looks a bit like accumulated cotton. I do not think it is a bug but all the same I cleaned it all off with some rubbing alcohol/water mix. This was a week ago and now I notice a couple more "leaves" are showing signs of this white stuff returning.
My question to all you experts out there:
Is this normal? I have heard some similar plants come with some kind of silver/white color to them as some kind of dust but I want to be overcautious then neglegent. If needed, I can see about getting a picture if needed.
Thanks
Jake
Rosemary ARP
Rosemary does tend to get powdery mildew if conditions are overly humid... but what concerns me is your statement about looking "a bit like accumulated cotton." That sounds like mealie bugs to me, and you sure don't want them getting into your other plants. Isolate that rosemary, and treat it! Sometimes you can get rid of mealie bugs with rubbing alcohol on a q-tip, applying it to all places where you see the white stuff... you've already treated with alcohol, I know, but with mealie bugs you need to keep treating every few days for several weeks. And in the meantime, be sure to keep that rosemary away from all other plants!!
Critter,
thanks for the reply. I know it's not mealy bugs because I am just finishing off an infestation that nearly took out my Gardenia. Either way, I think I'm just going to keep removing them with the q-tip and rubbing alcohol solution.
I hope this helps. This is my third attempt at Rosemary. So far I haven't been able to find that fine line they like to thrive in. It's either too much water, too little....too much that, too little that.... I love the challenge though.
Thanks for thoughts
*whew* it's always hard to tell from a verbal description... I'm glad it's not mealy bugs, and I'm glad you've been able to treat your gardenia sucessfully!
Rosemary can be a little silvery in color, but I wouldn't say it looks dusty... hmmm.. now I'm back to thinking maybe powdery mildew... you might try spraying with neem oil, or I think I've seen a description of a spray made with milk that folks use on powdery mildew... The rubbing alcohol probably won't hurt, as rosemary leaves are pretty tough, and if you think it's doing the trick then stick with it.
Good luck, and keep us posted!