Question
I have an orange (most likely, if it is not a tangerine)plant at home which I grow from a seed when I ate that fruit in the late fall 2006. I changed pots twice as it grows bigger. This year, I noticed that the leaves start to have a lay of oil on the surface, very sticky and smells just like the fruit. (seems like the same juice when you peel an orange). The oil will get on the floor around the plant, so my husband urged me to get it out. He said it was a tree and should never been inside the house. I don't know whether it is normal for this plant or there is disease. It never happened for the first two years. It has been a house plant for years and looked stressed when I moved it outdoors(I live in Greenville, SC). It is still inside of the house now because I like the dark green healthy leaves. I have the newspaper on the floor around this plants now and agreed to move it out once it gets warmer. To me, moving it out is like throwing out a baby because I had it since it was a seed. I just want to know whether it is normal to have the oily leaves for orange plant or there is something wrong with it?

Thanks in advance.

Answer
Hi Lena, you tree has either rust mites or aphids.  You can use soapy water and clean the leaves to get rid of the bug.  You will have to keep doing it as it will come back so keep and eye on it.  You can use an insecticidal spray, most are poison based, or you can use Atomic Grow which is organic and will not only get rid of the pests but will clean it and make it healthy again.  It is mixed with water and sprayed on periodically.  It will make your plant look clean and shiny too.  kathy