Question
QUESTION: My 2 dwarf scheffleras have a shiny, sticky, sap-like substance on 75% of their leaves.  I have put my plants outside (in Michigan) during late spring and summer.  End of last summer I treated both with a spray insecticide soap wash when I brought them back inside.  And now my carpeting is tacky and sticky, too.  Any suggestions on how I can fix my probl

ANSWER: Most likely this was caused by aphids or scale.  Or if you look closly it might actually be the excrement of one of these two insects.  In either case I would recommend a new product called Atomic Grow.  If you go to www.atomicgrow.com in the ornamentals section you will see problems like these being washed off the plant.  Soap and water will do the same thing but soap and water will not raise the brix levels of your plant which is the root of the problem.
Atomic Grow will penetrate the Stomata and become systemic in your plants literally unlocking the nutrient tie-up that is occuring which is attracting these insects.

James

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Will I need to do follow up applications with an insecticide soap spray?  If yes,
how often?

Answer
If you are going to use an insecticide soap spray you will need to have it handy for repeated applications.  Insecticidal soap sprays will do nothing for the health of your plants.  In fact they often have phototoxicity to the leaves.  

This is why this new product Atomic Grow is so fascinating is because it will clean up your problems but it will also make your plants extremely healthy.  This is what will save you from repeated applications with toxic pesticides and insecticidal soaps.  Even Dawn dish soap is toxic to a certain degree.

Good luck

James