For Christmas my daughter gave me a beautiful variegated Indian rope plant. It has developed small puffy looking white spots on some stems and under some leaves. When I try to remove them, they are very sticky. I'm new to hoyas and need help in cleaning up this plant. Any ideas?? Thanks so much in advance.........sorry, but I don't have a picture.
Hoya Problem
It sounds like mealy bugs. They can be removed with straight alcohol using a q-tip. Hindu ropes are hard to clean because of the curls. You can also try using neem mixed with a bucket of water and dipping the entire hoya into it. HTH!!
Blessings,
Awanda
Awanda, that was my thought exactly. What do you think of the systemics Awanda? I am wondering if that wouldn't be a good option too, as the rope is so gnarly it would be hard to get into all of those crevices. Though your suggestion to dip it is a really good one.
BAF, sorry I am not more helpful, but I can't grow that hoya, it always dies for me. I think that Awanda gave you some good advice.
Welcome to the hoya forum,
Sara
Hi Awanda, thanks for the tip...........I am a novice though. Can you tell me what neem is?? Thanks to Sara for the welcome!!
Yes, your plant has mealie bugs. Neem oil is extracted from the neem seed and is a natural insecticide. Dunking the whole plant in a neem oil mixture is a great idea. I've also heard that you can also use plain soapy water as a dunk for mealies. Just don't use dish soap that has an antibacterial in it, and rinse the plant and soil well afterwards. After an especially bad time with mealies last year I ended up using a systemic, Bayer Advanced, and that's what finally got rid of them in my hoyas that had them.
Christine
Here's some information for you about neem oil: http://www.livingwithbugs.com/neem_oil.html
and here: http://www.ghorganics.com/SupremeNeemOil.html
I have not tried this product but have heard so many great things about it. I am thinking of ordering it to have on hand "just in case".
Wow......thanks to all for the wonderful advice. How did I live without this forum??? What more could I ask for........ask a question and get several great ideas. Goodbye mealie bugs. BAF