Question
My plant as decided to "lint"  its white stuff all over the leaves, and I am not sure why.  Haven't moved it, it was a little dry so I watered it but it has always been a great healthy plant.  Can you help?

Answer
Debbie,

Your plant has insects. It has been attacked by mealy bugs that are hiding under those bits of white cotton. You have 2 options of getting rid of it. Buy a few bottles of  rubbing alcohol and take Q-tips or cotton balls dipped in the alcohol to literally wipe the bugs off the plant then put alcohol in a spray bottle and spray the plant every 3 days for 30 days to kill any eggs that hatch out before the mature and produce more eggs to continue the cycle. Consistency is very important to getting rid of mealy bugs. If you miss a spraying you will have to spray longer.

Your 2nd option is to purchase a bottle of Bayer Tree & Shrub Protect & Feed. You get it at a Garden Center. A bottle is around $20.00 but you apply it once mixed with water and it will be taken up by the roots and kill the insects on the plant and keep any insects off the plant for a year.

The first method is labor intensive but cheap and the second method is expensive but easy. Both are effective. Good luck.

Darlene