At least once a week I inspect all my plants. Last night I found what appeared at first to be flecks of perlite on the flower stock of one of the plants I purchased last month. Where did that come from? I haven't repotted and nothing has tipped over. A closer look revealed little mealy bugs that hadn't hidden under their "cotton" house as yet. I also found several "fluffy" adults. I quickly rinsed all the leaves and flower stocks with warm water; gently rubbing to rinse away the little "buggers". I didn't see anything on the other plants that were in isolation with this plant.
This morning with rested eyes I made a closer inspection and found another bug on a different plant. This time I thought you might like to see what a mealy bug looks like.
First Hand with Mealy Bugs/Case for Isolation
This is the picture of the first plant. You can see it looks perfectly healthy. You would not suspect anything.
This is the second plant. Again very healthy looking but danger lurks beneath.
The cure is in the background; rubbing alcohol and q-tips. You just gently rub the little critter off with the saturated q-tip.
Here he is under the leaf.
Another picture of the mealy bug. If you catch these guys in time they are easy to get rid of. If you don't they can suck the life out of your plants.
After swabbing the plants I washed everything in oil soap.
Happy inspecting. AND keep those new plants isolated.
This message was edited Dec 28, 2006 7:23 AM
Are these the same kind that get in the soil or are these different? Did you order these or get them locally? I gotten quite of few new plants online lately. And since my collection is just beginning, I'm not isolating. But by spring any new ones will need to be isolated from the ones I've collected in the past month. Soooooo, where do you keep your new ones? I only have 1 room with a stand with lights and pretty much the rest of my house can't really be used cause I have a couple cats.
Thanks for the mealy bug lesson!! Hope you got em all.
Debbie
The most healthy looking plants will have Pest. :(( Mealy bugs can hide for even a year on a new plant :(( And the plant will bloom and look so very healthy . Several times I posted a link in our sticky of this and pictures. Let me find it for everyone. Beware.
Nanna sorry this happened. you will be helping it not to happen to others.
ISOLATE !
WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR NEW PLANT
First and most important, isolate your plant. ( what ever link you go to, What ever book you read, NUmber one thing to do with new plants and leaves Isolate) Please read this whole link and please go to the link with the healthy blooming plant the owner had for a year before noticing. She will have it on it's private water holder for atleast a couple years.
http://www.plantsonpurpose.com/CULTURE.htm
CHECK THE ROOTS
Soil mealy bugs are wide spread in the commercial African violet market. Look for cottony masses in the root ball, these are the egg sacks. You may also see white waxy material in the root ball, on the pot, or floating in the water reservoirs. Soil mealy bugs are only 1-4 mm in length so they are hard to see without a magnifying glass. (The wire of a medium size paper clip is about 1 mm in diameter).
" On this link you see a little blue face mouse on it please or go to this link to see a very healthy blooming plants that was full of mealies.
http://www.plantsonpurpose.com/mealy%20bugs.htm
****** This is a photo of soil mealies floating in a container of water. I found these guys in the reservoirs of a plant that I had owned for a year. Soil mealy bugs are so small, it is easy to have them and spread them throughout your collect before you know it. Even if your new plant looks 'clean', keep it on it's own reservoir for a year or two
OVER ALL INSPECTION
Aphids are pear shaped sucking insects. They are 1-5 mm in length (about 1/8 inch). They can be green to yellow, black or pink. They have long legs and antennae.
Foliar mealy bugs are white and mealy. They can be found on the foliage, stems, and crown on the plant. They lay their eggs in cottony masses.
Mildew looks like fine powder dusted on the foliage and blossoms.
If you find a problem, contact the cooperative extension service or your favorite nursery or gardener
Good morning Debbie. I think soil mealy bugs and leaf mealy bugs are different. I keep new plants in my dinning room or kitchen window. It's hard to keep them away from the others. I love to rearrange things especially furniture and plants.
These came from a local nursery. The interesting thing is they came right out of the box from Optimara. I got to the store just as the clerk was opening the box.
No matter how careful you are bugs are just a matter of fact. I think that is why it is important to be aware of what to look for and check your collection often. The good thing about mealy bugs is they are slow growing and big enough that you can see them and do something about them.
Allison you are a font of information.
Allison, just wanted to let you know that all my AVs are new so I guess they're all in isolation together. Sort of. But, come spring I'm gonna have to find a place to isolate new ones then.
Mine also are in a room where all my house plants are that were outside for the summer. Before they came in the house, they were sprayed weekly with Dyno-Gro Neem Oil for 5 weeks.
Nanna, everybodies gonna get bugs at sometime. Your right, it's just a fact of life. I've looked at mine with a magnifying glass and even took em out of the pots and looked in there and so far haven't seen anything. That's what great about the pics everybody puts up when they have a problem. So us newbies can see em. Someone on here has a really powerful magnifier with a light on it. I'd like to get one of those. Whoever you are, if you read this, please let us know where you can get them.
Debbie
I have a friend who has a magnifier that even take a movie. I had a link to one she sent me. I'll have to ask her if she still has it to share.
A rule at out home onece a plant has been ouside it never comes in. friend's try to bring cut flowers in they go right out . A cut flower mostly a sweet smeeling one brings many pest :((
Neem will help so pest can't eat..but will not kill.
Mealies can travel, walk and eggs can spread fast. When sharing drinking trays... they are spread more easlly .
Did you see the picture where the lady had a clean healthy blooming plant for a year with mealies and how small they are and their eggs.
Did you see this picture ??
http://www.plantsonpurpose.com/mealy%20bugs.htm
There is a lot of info out there about Pest, Mealy bugs .Here is just a tiny bit hope it helps .
Leaf Mealy Bugs: Sometimes called Foliar Mealy Bugs
http://optimara.com/optimaraglossary/l-lea.html#anchor3073758
Soil Mealy Bugs: Sometimes called Blind Mealy Bugs.
http://optimara.com/optimaraglossary/sen-soi.html#anchor1290091
Soil Mealy Bugs
Sometimes called "Blind Mealy Bugs," Pritchard Mealy Bugs (Rhizoecus dianthi, formerly Rhizoecus pritchard) or Root Mealy Bugs (Rhizoecus americanus
http://optimara.com/doctoroptimara/diagnosis/soilmealybugs.html
Notice there are several types of mealy that feed on AV. Yuk :((
Common species include Citrus Mealy Bugs, Citrophilus Mealy Bugs, Long-Tailed Mealy Bugs and Grape (or Bakers) Mealy Bugs.
Leaf Mealy Bugs
http://optimara.com/doctoroptimara/diagnosis/leafmealybugs.html
YOu can have both types and not know it :((
This message was edited Dec 28, 2006 9:30 AM
If you wick water, I have found that 1/2 t. of Physan 20 per gallon of water keeps those "floating little piece of perlite" away. I have not had mealy bugs in the past eight years that I have been using it. I did have them previous to that.
Nancy B
I've seen that picture VT . I've been through every link in the stickies since I came to AV forum. But everytime I go back to em, I see or learn something I didn't the first time.
Unfortunately, we can't leave plants outside in the winter here. Everything would be long dead by now and I have some B. Ficus trees that are taller than I am that I wouldn't even consider leaving outside. Started out 6" tall and now they are 6' tall. And they benifit from being outside in the fresh air, so I won't leave em in in the spring summer or fall either.
Nancy, I need to get some of that and VF-11!!! LOL It on my list of thing to get. If you don't wick water all your plants can you drench the soil with it?
Hi Nancy - you're the first I've heard of who has been using physan for so long on AVs. So I take it no abnormal flowers etc? In the orchid world, physan20 is said to cause abnomal flowering on some (not many) species (but not necessarily the ones you would think are sensitive). And recently there is chatter about it causing bad growth (I forget if it's stunted or what...) and it sounds like it's in disfavor, but you know, it's always difficult to tell because there aren't any scientific studies that make it all clear, and everyone has so many variables in the growing area, how can they tell that physan is the problem?
I hadn't heard the "chatter", Ki. Mealy bugs are so easy to contol with rubbing alcohol. I have never had them on my light stands. The only seem to come at the dining room window. Then again that is where I isolate so problems would appear there.
yes, they're definitely easy to control early on, but if you have so many plants that you can't possibly pick each one up, then a safe systemic way of keeping them in check is very helpful. I used to add Marathon to my potting mix, but I've run out...
When I have a plant in mealie quarantine, I check every 3 days and I check at different times of day. Mealies can scamper quite fast when they want to :P
I think I also read somewhere that mealie eggs can be carried by breeze.... (not to scare you but...)
Thanks, Nanna. (Runs off to inspect......) : ) Pam
physan20Is good to use. Most places like Steve's and CHarley's sell both physan20 VF-11 :))
Somtimes Mealies are easy to get rid of sometimes not. Folier, and soil two different and you can have both. And there are eggs.
Oh yuk..
Here is something Rob says about Mealy bug .
Answer: http://www.robsviolet.com/faq_page_3.htm#mealy%20bugs
Question: I am experiencing a white "gooey" substance around the crown of some of my violets. Could you please tell me what this substance might be and how to get rid of it?
ANSWER ;
http://www.robsviolet.com/faq_page_3.htm#mealy%20bugs
If you buying exspensive leaves and plants , trading, sharing all more reason for Isolating . If it's not Mealy Bugs it can be Mites or something else :(( Many times I have seen people lose their whole exspensive collections .
If you don't mind having to throw out plants , or not trading or sharing
then it's a different story.
I use to just buy leaves and wash each one and isolate. I also used small green houses that had zip - up covers to isolate.
I did not buy from many different people . Like when I bought large amounts of leaves it was from one or two vendors.
Back from my very first order Sellers taught me to isolate. When I first started buying I bought from one person. When I mentioned about buying from others she let me know to please isolate. When I bought my first leaves from Tina Bloomlovers she taught me to isolate.
When I join local group they taught me to isolate.
Do you know people don't bring home their Show plants not even the best winning plants. Nope most sell them but most won't take the chance taking them home to infect their collections.
Wash and disenfect all tools before using them on other plants, counters, table tops, stands bencehs, floors and hands paying great attention to finger nails underneath.
Just a few per-cautions.
Yes Key all that info is true
And eggs and mealy bugs can be every where yuk
Sometimes eggs appear as a white dust on the shelf surface surrounding the plant. You likely also have them in the soil--you'll notice white patches, like confectioner's sugar, around the outside of the root ball. they also are often noticed around the base of the plant, on the neck, just above the soil surface.
This message was edited Dec 28, 2006 11:00 AM
PS sorry did you read what Rob has said
Quote ; As for how to get rid of them, this is a difficult proposition. From my experience, mealies are perhaps the most difficult pest to eliminate.
I have had many people tell me this and can take years before they felt safe they were gone.
The other day I told my husband, Looks like some of the perlite got stuck to the leaves. EEK! So now I know. My plants have been growing well and with the loupe I couldn't make out any bugs so I thought I was safe. :( Thanks so much, Nanna, for sharing your experience. Today will be wash the plants day for sure.
About isolation; I've got a fishbowl that I bought at Goodwill for a buck or two. My christmas gift AV is in there now with plastic wrap secured over the top. So I can isolate close to the rest of my plants (I've only got a couple of places I can put them). I know a person should isolate for a long time, but that is just never going to happen here. I love my cut flowers too much!! But the key, I think, is to be vigilant. I've also been known to buy a new plant, bring it home and get it out of the pot, rinse every speck of dirt off it and then repot it in my own clean mix and bleached pot. Takes some of my plants a while to get over the shock but they usually come out of it.
Thanks again, Nanna, for the info. And Allison, as always, thanks for the help :)
Jacki
Jacki I do same thing with new plants but I bath in hot water and neem oil and even the roots and soil then pot in new soil with a bug killer in it. Marathon or this other stuff begins with D and soil mixes that have bug killer in it . Every little big helps.
This message was edited Dec 28, 2006 11:13 AM
I have never had a problem with Physan 20 and plant growth or lack of it. You just need to use the correct proportion, just like everything else. I automatically put 1/4 - 1/2 t. in every gallon of water and have been doing so for many years. Just about everyone in our club uses it.
I entered 15 plants in our last state show and won 21 ribbons. Physan definitely does not affect them. I usually buy a gallon of the stuff on e-Bay and then split it with other club members. The price is far cheaper than what the local nurseries sell it for and they only sell 8 oz. bottles.
Nancy B
Thanks - that's good to know. I find it useful for many things - I've stopped using it on orchids though.
Yesterday, I spent the day unpotting, washing the plant and then repotting in newly sterilized pots with fresh mix. And I only got about half way through!! But I'm determined. Besides my plants have been neglected over the last little bit getting ready for the holidays. Lots of plants need repotting anyway.
The plants I've already done look so happy!
So much fun ! Do you wash your plants when re-potting too ? Neem spray or anything special ?
The soil I dump when re-potting we put out in our garden beds they love it !
repotting and cleaning here as well. No further signs of the "mealies". Rubbing alcohol really does the trick.
That's good ! Keep an eye different types and soil mealies and eggs.
VT~ Just washing them really well with hot water. If I have a plant that looks like it's got something going on (one of my non-av's) I did alcohol in the leaves, dunked roots in alcohol, repotted in sterilized pot with new soil.
I do the same with my old soil...out to the compost it goes!
I've got to get to the second half before it's all for nothing... (though they are separated) but the old body isn't too happy today. What gets done, gets done and not worth stressing (more) about it!!
Nanna, I can't tell you how glad I am you started this subject :) Thanks!!
Nanna, thanks for bringing this to our attention. I will have to remember to inspect carefully ever week so if there is a pest I can catch it quickly. good luck getting rid of these mealys. I hate bugs!!! Especially when they are on me and my plants!
Glad I could help. The forum has helped me soo many times. One thing I forgot to mention. If the mealies are on the bloom stock, it's best to cut it off. You can't treat the blooms; there are just too many places for the critters to hids. The blooms will return quickly and the plant will be healthy.
Lin ??? Did you have Mealie too ? I got lost there.
I was saying Nanna did good with her Mealies ! Nanna what I was mentioning was to keep eye out as I know you will for eggs and I read Mealies even hide on wicks when drenched with bugs stuff. ...Marathon
and what ever is used.
You guys are brave AV warriors , I have had friend's that had mealies or other pest and just threw the plant away.
I had an exspensive plant in isolation for months and noticed foliage mealies , the eggs , and they can be born alive too , they seemed to appear over night . Me I was not an AV Warroir I threw it out .
Everytime I notice a lot of people getting new AV's I like to post the helpful Isolation links .
Hopefuly these yucky mites and mealies are gone from everyones plants for good now :))_
You saved me, Allison. I hear your voice in my head when new plants come into the house. "Isolate! Isolate!"
:)) When I first started buying I bought dozens of plants from one buyer . Costly ones on Ebays, rare, trailers Streps and more. I did not know what the heck I was buying I'd give them away free and lots of time not keep track of names. When I joined local group and fount about about show and people wanted to trade names I lept track.
Oh yes when I told this seller I was going to buy some else where, like Bluebirds and other vendors I had fount that I did not know existed !! she told me to make sure I isolated they may have pest.... as I had only bought from her so far.
I thought she just did not want me to buy from other people. lol