I fear for the worst 💔
My beloved is still struggling. I took a risk and changed her soil, I added more sand into the mixture of a fresh bag of premium potting mix for better drainage. She isn’t dying but she’s sad. The leaves towards the bottom of the plant are limp and the smaller ones even closer to the soil are 100% dying. There is still a lot of yellow/brownish spots on most of the foliage. And her beautiful purple backsides are variegated. I had 2 new growths, one didn’t make it. I think there’s more to it than light and water because I am following the schedule and checking her moisture levels with a digital meter. Can someone please advise if these spots look like a type of fungus or other pest? I also saw this bug (pictured) dead on one of her leaves but I can’t see any more of them. #NeverNeverCtenanthe #help #advice #PestsAndPlants #pestID #PestControl
2ft to light, direct
14” pot with drainage
Last watered 3 weeks ago
15
Best Answer
The yellow patches with the haloed rings look fungal to me, so you might have multiple issues going on. I didn’t see the mealy bugs (and I have a sordid history with them), but if they’re there, you will—they’ll be white and cottony looking. I did see the black specks which could be mites or thrips. I’d treat this baby with both a fungicide and an insecticide. Cover your bases. I like Arbor for both, but if you have something that you use and know it works, use what you’re comfortable with. Good luck.
@Plants_Galore there is no webbing on any of my plants. But something is going on. I just had to cut one of the two main stems of my Audrey ficus off because of this.
These are mealybugs. It's a big infestation. You need to wash them off with sprays of water. And then spray bith sides of every leaf and stems with Neem Oil. You need to repeat spraying with Neem Oil every week for 3 weeks. Spray in the evenings to prevent sunburn.
Check all your plants. Treat all infected plants, and isolate them from not infected, if any.
Good luck.
Check all your plants. Treat all infected plants, and isolate them from not infected, if any.
Good luck.
@HisLobster yeah there is nothing cotton like on any of my plants. Just a lot of spotting. Another plant ID app I have just keeps telling me these spots are abiotic disease. But it’s getting worse and they’re all in their ideal environment (light, humidity, moisture wise). I have another question for you - I have noticed on my monstera today there is a clear sticky substance in some places, like tiny sprays of it, not much of it at all so it’s new issue. I caught it because the new growth coming through already has a tiny brown spot. The plant is separated from the rest of my plants thankfully. Any advice on what that may be? I am 90% sure it has scales which I am treating today but I didn’t think they produced sticky substances.
Yep, scale can absolutely leave a sticky residue, but, so can mealy bugs and a couple of other pests. Treating for a fungal infection on top of an insect issue won’t hurt your plant, though, so just do what you gotta do, and I’d also recommend checking out info on #deathbycinnamon It’s a natural insecticide, more of a prophylactic than anything, but it’s natural and safe all around, and bonus: it smells amazing.
@SvelteKingfern sorry it’s how I took the picture. It’s actually the light shining through tiny brown dots there’s no white on the leaves.
@BabyBrownbirch thrips are quite a bit smaller than your picture, from what I’ve seen. Adults are often black and very thin. Your picture looks like fungus gnat to me. Unsure about the damage though. Best of luck! 🤞🏻
I just learned you won't necessarily see the webbing with a naked eye. I noticed a couple of tiny strings on my plants only after thoroughly checking with a fleshlight, along every stem and every leaf. I spent a lot of time staring at them before that