Blue Princess Holly Scale: Horticultural Oil or Sevin, Plus Fertilizer

Diagnosis

White sticky blobs (pencil eraser size) on branches, soft, smear with reddish center = soft scale (likely Ceroplastes or Lecanium). Reddish = body fluids.

Treatment

1. Horticultural oil: Thorough coverage. Suffocates. Repeat 2× at 10–14 days.
2. Or Sevin (carbaryl): Contact + ingestion. Follow label.
3. Fertilize after: Evergreen formula (Holly-tone, acid-forming). Recovery in 6–8 weeks.

Timing

Crawlers (mobile nymphs) most vulnerable. Oil works on all stages if coverage good.

Soft scales produce honeydew → sooty mold. Oil + fertilizer = clean, vigorous regrowth.