Question
Hi,
I'm attempting to grow a supply of parsley and cilantro indoors this winter. I've started 2 successive pots from seed, under a grow light. Amazingly, both have come up well. But the plants seem a little spindly/weak, and both types in both pots have also developed a whitish patchiness on leaves and stems. My suspicion is that this is not a bug, but rather related somehow to the light? too much? too close? What would the recommended distance and amount of daily light be for these kitchen herbs? Could it be something else?
Thank you!

Answer
Dear Jaffy,
    Spindly/weak plants is caused by too little light but the white patches are not. I would guess that the white patches is either mealy bugs or it could be mold. To tell the difference look at the plant carefully, especially the undersides of leaves and at places where stems meet. These are favorite places for mealy bugs.
(The following is from my blog on insect control on houseplants. To see the entire blog go to my Myspace page at; myspace.com/experthouseplants )

Mealybugs are soft-bodied, oval shaped, scale like insects with many legs. Mealybugs are covered by a sticky, white, cottony looking substance that extends out from it's body like short filaments. Mealybugs can be a problem to get rid of because the cottony substance often protects the insect from pesticides. The best way to get rid of Mealybugs is to pick them off with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol. Be sure to check all little crevices, folds and grooves on both the leaves and stems. Also check the pot and the area immediate surrounding the pot (such as a window sill) as well as the plant for eggs.

If you do not find mealy bugs on the plants then it is likely mold. Spay the plants with a anti-fungal such as Consan 20. The other houseplant expert Darlene has had good results using just plain Lysol spay for mold problems but I have never used it myself and I don't know about using it on a plant you plan to eat. Check the label before using Lysol spray.

If you are using a fluorescent plant light then you should have the plants about 4 inches from the bulbs. If you are using an incandescent bulb then you will have to have the plants at least 12 inches from the bulb because the amount of heat generated by an incandescent bulb will scorch the plants.
All foliage plants need about 14-16 hours of artificial plant light a day.

I hope this helps. If you have any questions or need additional information please don't hesitate to ask.
     Thanks
       Tracy