Question
QUESTION: Hi -- I have 2 ponytail plants indoors in NYC, next to windows w/pretty
sunny eastern exposure, for about a yr -- they're in separate rooms.  About 6
months ago, they both started getting mealy bugs.  I have kids, so at first I
used a mild bug spray, but I was worried about the fumes so switched to
spraying them 2-3 times a week w/a soap & water mix.  The bugs are better
but not entirely gone.  The plants also seem a bit more droopy than before
with a few brown leaves developing around the base each week -- I've tried
varying watering times from 1 to 2wks... and back to 1.  Then, today I noticed
small teal green balls (smaller than a bb) in the soil of one of them.  Any idea
what those could be?  Any advice for the mealy bugs and watering?  Thanks!

ANSWER: Hi Adina, spray the mealy bugs with household isopropyl alcohol, this will take care of them; The small green balls in the soil are a mystery, but I am going to recommend you change out the soil, this would be something you should do periodically anyway, this time also line the bottom with some gravel for drainage. Let me know if you have any other questions. Nick

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Nick,
Thanks for the quick response.  Do I need to dilute the alcohol at all?  And,
how often should I spray?  Also, any advice on the watering?  I'll definitely
change the soil, but fyi, my local plant store suggested it was likely a fertilizer
that was mixed into the soil and rose to the top w/watering.
Adina

Answer
You spray the alcohol undiluted, and that could very well be an additive the nursery used (the little balls) to retain water. Pony tails do not require much water at all, they have a self contained reservoir and once a month is what I give mine, and not much at that. Nick