Question
Our 30 year old fern  now has 2-3 mm round brownish either plant growths or small evacuauted exoskeletons,they are not moving, which are attached to both stem and leaves on the older areas of the plant. This is accompanied by a stickiness in some places and a very delicate hair like or fuzzy material on the same stems.  Can you diagnse this so that we can initiate treatment to save this large old much enjoyed old fern?

Answer
Hi Kathy..this could be oedema... Overwatering, high humidity, and low light intensities are factors which favor the development of oedema. Avoid overwatering susceptible plants especially during the winter months when they should be kept slightly on the dry side. Keep the relative humidity below 70% in the winter. Improve the flow of air over the leaves by spacing plants farther apart and increasing ventilation. Affected plants often recover from oedema with the return of more favorable growing conditions in spring and early summer. Gradually increasing the exposure to sunlight is beneficial and will help avoid sunscorch when plants are moved outdoors.  Oedema is growths that are brownish on the leaves.  It also sounds like mealy bugs which can be controlled with an insecticidal spry.