Question
I am wondering if I should throw out my schefflera.  I have been battling problems with it for the last 4-5 months.....mites, what I think are fungus gnats, and flies (that I think are different than the gnats, but not su re)that seem to live in the soil no matter what I do.  I have tried drenching the plant and soil with Safer spray on several occassions, treating the plant with peppermint castile soap and water, segregating it, and covering with a garbage bag (many times). I also changed all the soil at one point thinking that would work. At this point the plant looks awful, the creepy crawlies keep coming back, and because I mistakenly thought the plant was "cured" and put it back in it's usual spot, my mini schefflera, which has been beautiful and thriving now seems to have mites. I am tempted to just throw the thing out at this point, because it is so frustrating and seems to be such a risk. But if I am writing I guess I am still somewhat invested in keeping it. So is there anything I can do, or should I just throw in the towel and get rid of it??????  Thanks so much in advance.

Answer
Hi Adrienne,

I hear your frustration as I have been there, too. Plant pest infestations can be extremely frustrating especially when you treat them and think you have eradicated them and then they come back and you realize you have to treat the all over again! It is enough to make you want to give up on plants altogether.

Your Schefflera has been through a lot, including some treatments that have placed it under enormous stress. Consequently, I cannot say with any confidence that it can be saved.

If you can email me some photos of your Schefflera, including at least one that shows the entire plant and pot together, that would help me to better assess it. Email the photos to me at [email protected] and include this correspondence.

Spider mites can be treated successfully with soap sprays, but only if the entire plant (all tissue surfaces) are drenched.

Once treatment starts, segregation is not necessary and neither is covering the plant.

Changing soil is never a good idea. It is a cure that is worse than the problem as it is extremely stressful to a plant that is already stressed.

I look forward to hearing back from you so I can give you a more specific assessment and possible treatment plan for your Schefflera.

   
Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

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

Visit my web site at www.HorticulturalHelp.com