Already looked on the plumeria forum but didn't see any helpful info. The growing tips of my plant are constantly caked with what I think is the dried white sap they bleed when injured. Although I've been interested in gardening all my life, it's only been in the last year that I actually have the ground to do anything but containers so all this is still very new to me. I've tried insecticidal soap, neem oil, and pyrethrin to no avail. What could be causing this and what can I do about it?
You'll probably get more/better advice if you post in the plumie forum. To me it looks a little bit like mealy bugs except not quite as fuzzy so maybe that's not it, but maybe it's something along those lines. If it is mealies, the best thing is a q-tip dipped in alcohol, use that to wipe them off.
Yup, mealie bugs. You will need to continue with the oil applications to get rid of it an keep it away. Do it on a weekly basis until all is clear and stay clear. If your plumie is in some shade, that may be part of the problem.
plumies have a white sap that oozes out when they are injured. it dries, heals and continues to grow. so if u know it was injured and saw it ooze its alright. thats its healing process. u may be able to take a hose and gently wash it away
For those who have not heard - that white sap is latex and if it gets in/near you eyes (skin for some people) can cause pain and swelling. So protect your eyes and wash thoroughly afterward as a matter of course. For those who are sensitive to it, just the fumes can cause problems. You might not notice it at the time - but brush your hair out of your eyes, or scratch your nose, and later you will regret, believe me!
I learned this lesson very painfully. :-(
That is only if you are allergic to latex, most people do not have this reaction.
I think it'll cause problems for pretty much everyone if it gets in your eyes. Not everyone will experience the skin irritation though. And although the stuff is called latex, it's not quite the same stuff as the latex that people have allergies too, it could cause skin irritation even if you're not allergic to latex. I wouldn't be surprised though if people who have latex allergies are more sensitive to it.
Well put, Liz. AAMOF, I had no skin irritation when I got the stuff (or the fumes?) in my eye potting a euphorbia. When I called the eye doctor it was one of the first things I was asked - had I been working with plants? - so it seems to be a common occurrence. No matter what, prevention is easy and makes sense to me!
I work with Lettuce or Plumerias on a daily basis. Both excrete latex. Yes it is irritating to get in your eyes, but so is just about everything in this world if it gets into your eyes. Latex will only bother you if you are allergic to it.
