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Posted 1d ago by @Devsleafypals

Is this the dreaded mealy bug again? This is the top of...

Is this the dreaded mealy bug again? This is the top of my FLF cuttings I’ve been propagating for maybe a month or so. I’m still struggling with them on my other plants. neem oil doesn’t seem to be doing the job. #FiddleLeafFig #PropagationStation bugs">#mealybugs @ballondusoleil @DreamMachine @Idplantthat @MalagueΓ±a @MariansOasis @RefinedSandwort @WormWarriorFarm @MamaLinne
Can I share you a video of something that’s very effective that everyone doesn’t agree with?? Honestly I don’t care much for the guy in the video but he’s pretty educated and it shows process and it works in front of you

Just wanted to ask because you know.. you say dish soap someone’s going to freak out οΏΌοΏΌ i’ll look at it like this. Do you want to battle over and over and over or just win the war and end it οΏΌ
Here’s the video so you can have your own opinion.

https://youtu.be/FTpCxlI7nu0?is=8t8SYSlT7VOxQda3
I use 70% rubbing alcohol on mealy bugs. I had them on my Hoya Krimson Queen and it killed them instantly. Haven’t seen any in over 2 months and no sticky residue has showed back up either. Just make sure to keep the plant away from any light until completely dry.
Here’s advice from @SuperbRaspfern that I saved for future reference. I’m going to tag @DreamMachine too as these are my two go-to pest prevention plant friends πŸ™Œ
Hey Dev, is it only where the cut was? FLF sap is a milky white latexy fluid, like rubber trees. How long has it been there? I see that yellowing leaf - What’s the airflow like? Air dry or humid? Lots of AC? Could have some fungal mixed in there if the air is too stagnant.
@Devsleafypals can you show me another picture? When I zoom in on this one it gets blurry.

Neem is quite effective for mealybugs if used properly. The treatmeant is every 3 days for 3 weeks. If you skip a day, the three week ticker starts over.

-1 Tb pure neem oil
-1/2 tsp Castile soap (dish soap will strip the waxy coating of the leaves)
-4 cups water

But this doesn’t look like mealybugs to me. Is this only where the cut is? Perhaps mycelium? Again, I just need a better close up pic please!
@OhGollyItsJolly watched it! I’m not even using actual full neem oil but a neem oil product I bought online! No wonder it’s not working! Ugh
@Jho it’s not the cutting part- it’s the top of the plant. I have lost some leaves but I also have some growth of a new leaf and they are all rooting still. I’m not sure.
@DreamMachine I already sprayed it so it currently looks better than it did. Idk
@Devsleafypals I think what Josh @Jho was saying was, is this localized to that part of the main stem, where you cut it? It’s not elsewhere on your plant? Just right here, where the main trunk has the cut?
@DreamMachine yes. As far as I can tell. It doesn’t look like it’s anywhere else on that branch or the others
@Devsleafypals and yes, neem will start to lose efficacy after 8-12 hours of being mixed with water, so store bought neem products are not very useful at all! You gotta use the pure oil, and mix a fresh batch every time you use it.
These are hard to root so don't be hard on yourself it it fails. They take a while. Yours did what mine always do. They never seem to branch when you top them off. Most plants branch into two but now these guys.

Next time I'm going to notch mine above a node. And, see if it will branch that way. I think the likelihood is higher that way. Actually I think I'll do that today. I'll let you all know if it works! 🩷
@Devsleafypals ok, then this doesn’t look like mealybugs to me. Could be remnants of the sap like @Jho mentioned. Sometimes you get white fuzzy mycelium that’s just taking care of dead stuff and harmless.
@DreamMachine @Jho thank you!
@SuperbRaspfern I think mine are doing it! I’ll keep you posted. My cat does like to mess with them. Hopefully at least some will make it. 🐈🐈
@Devsleafypals Ooooh, nice. Hopefully they do for you. But, I'm gonna be jealous!!! 🩷

Didn't want to add anything to your questions because you already have great people helping you out.
@Devsleafypals Cats are good about messing with plants! For me it's chickens sneaking in and making a beeline for my plant room. They are like oooh look at all these plants to hide in and snack in. I found a buffet with perfect air temperature and even chairs to lay eggs on. Can't tell you how many times I hear a cheep and need to go search. I have a livestock guardian dog who I leave a door cracked for because she gets really hot in the 100 degree temps and needs to cool off. The chickens are always watching and learning.

Some sneaky chickens caught red handed!