Question
0604001349a
Hi Darlene, I've had a broadleaf tropical plant for several years that's always done well. It stands about 7 feet tall and enjoys the light. I let the plant pot dry out between watering once a week. In the last 6 months however, its developed spots on its leaves, which appear shortly on new leaves after they come out, as raised brown spots on the upper side of the leaves, having the appearance of blisters, but they wash off with a soap water solution and a little scrubbing, but they reappear just as quickly and leave discoloration underneath. I'm guessing they are deposits from some kind of bug however i've never seen anything on or around the plant. Any suggestions beyond scrubbing them off the leaves? I'm going to send you pictures to Plantlady, Thanks so much, Greg in Virginia.
AnswerGreg,
You didn't say what your plant is but your problem is an insect called scale. The raised brown spots are the protective covering of the scale and the marks it leaves after you scrub them off are from them sucking on the leaves. It is difficult to eradicate. After you scrub you could spray daily for three weeks to kill any scale in the soil that hatch and any young ones in the crawler stage before they have a chance to cover themselves with that protective shell. The spray you can use is 50% water/ 50% rubbing alcohol mixed with 1 teaspoon of dish soap per quart of mix. This will kill any insects on contact, even microscopic ones. Make sure you get the fronts and backs of all leaves and the surface of the soil.
Your second easier but more costly alternative is a product called Bayer Tree and Shrub Protect %26 Feed. It is a systemic insecticide that works on scale and will work on tropical shrubs which is what your houseplant is. You can get it at Wal-Mart and many garden centers for around $20.00 a bottle. It protects the plant against all insects for a year. The bottle is large enough to use on at least 25 plants. You might want to share with friends or neighbors. I use it a lot. It is so much simpler. If you have more questions write again.
Good luck.
Darlene
