Question
I have an cut carnation plant that I kept in water on my desk.  Over the weekend it died, but a new offshoot started growing from it!  I was so thrilled, so I kept it in water and now the offshoot is about seven inches tall.  It has neither bloomed or started to root, so I've kept it in water.  The problem though, is that it has started to develop brown spots on the leaves.  At first I thought it was getting too much sun so I moved it to a different spot.  Upon closer inspection there are tiny tiny black dots around the brown spots and down near the stem.  I really mean that they are tiny, I have the hold the plant nearly six inches close to my face to see them.  Do you have any idea what it could be, and how I could keep them from hurting my plant?  I've searched online but most descriptions are too ambiguous.  Thank you for your help.

Answer
Hi Michele,

What you are doing is very unusual. Carnations are not normally used as indoor houseplants because they need much more sun and cooler temps than you can provide in a typical home.

Without a photo, I cannot be sure just what it is you are seeing. It may be nothing more than the plant's reaction to its unusual environment. If the spots are slightly raised bumps and can be scratched off with a fingernail, then they are probably scale insects. If so, then swish the stems and leaves around in a sink filled with 5 parts water and 1 part rubbing alcohol and a bit of liquid dish soap.

That said, I do think that getting your Carnation to ever re-flower is very unlikley. But good luck and let me know the results.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

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Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

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