Question
leaf picture
i am relatively new to caring for a bird of paradise plant, i have a scale problem i think, and wondered if you could help me please, any advice will be good,
many thanks
Andrew
AnswerHi Andrew,
Thanks for the photo. Your Bird of Paradise does have a sale insect infestation. Here is how to treat scale.
Mix 5 parts of water with 1 part of isopropyl alcohol and a squirt of liquid dish soap in a spray bottle. Spray both sides of every leaf and all the leaf stems until they are dripping wet. Be sure to get lots of the spray down into the base of the leaf stems where they separate from one another. That is where the next generation of scale insects hide.
This is a safe, but messy task because there is a lot of drip runoff if it is done properly. But thoroughness is the key to success.
Wipe off the scale shells with a soft cloth or sponge. Then watch for signs of any new ones and respray if you see any in the future.
I have written an article on indoor plant pests that I will email for free to you (or anyone else) who sends a request to me at
[email protected].
Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.
If this information has been helpful, please click the Rate Volunteer bar below and enter a rating and nomination for me. I am a volunteer on this site so Ratings are the only compensation I receive for answering plant questions.
Need more information? Visit my website at www.HorticulturalHelp.com
or email me at
[email protected] or call me at 917-887-8601 (EST)
Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC
Visit my website at www.HorticulturalHelp.com
