Question
Hi, 6 month ago I got a money tree which was repotted before delivered to me. I noticed brown spots on the leaves and stickyness. The people at the plant shop told me it's a disease and I could try: 1qt lukewarm water+couple drops dish soap+1tbsp rubbing alcohol on the leaves and lots of it in the pot which I did last weekend and I did cut the badly damaged leaves. It does not seemed to have stopped the spreading of the disease. What else can I do to save it?
Thank you for your help.
Martine
PS. I can send you pics of the leaves but don't know how to attach it to this email.

Answer
Hi Martine,

Brown spots and stickiness are a good indication that your plant has a scale insect infestation, not a disease. They were there at the time you purchased the plant, but only recently have become noticeable. You have a case for getting a refund if you choose to make it.

The plant shop remedy has the right ingredients, but the wrong proportions. What is worse is that they are clueless as to what they are treating. The mixture has to be applied directly to the scale insects on the leaves, but not to the soil.

Use 5 parts of water to one part rubbing alcohol and a squirt of liquid dish soap. The key to success is to thoroughly drench ALL leaf and stem surfaces until they are dripping wet. That way you will treat the ones that you cannot see. Unless you wipe the scale insects away, they will remain in place although they will probably be dead. If you wipe them all away, then you will be able to tell if any new ones emerge.

If this does not work because you have a very serious infestation, then try Brand X Foliage Cleaner. It is not a pesticide and it is available only through Southwest Plantscape Products in California (www.southwestplantscape.com). Their phone is 1-800-333-7977. It is a silicon-based product so it is very slippery. Its ability to penetrate is probably the key to its effectiveness because it gets into the tiny crevices that other sprays miss.

BTW, the repotting by the plant shop was also a mistake and may lead to root rot. Be sure to allow the top quarter of the soil to dry out between waterings. I hope it is not too late.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions. If you would like to e-mail me some photos, I may be able to provide some additional insights. Send the photos to my address below.

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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

You can E-mail me directly at: [email protected]