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White fuzzy stuff on indoor plants

Discussion in 'Gardening' started by busyb123, Dec 7, 2009.

  1. busyb123

    busyb123 New IL'ite

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    Hi,

    I have a few indoor plants. Recently I find white fuzzy stuff on the stems and leaves. I read somewhere that it is because of too much water and hence I reduced the water too. It has not helped and the plants are dying. It also seems to be spreading to healthier plants. I do not see worms/insects here, just cotton-like white stuff. I live in Bangalore. Any ideas what I can do?
     
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  2. Sindhurao

    Sindhurao Gold IL'ite

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    Hi Busyb123:

    Seemed like my reply posted 2 days ago didn't really make it here!

    So here I go again - what you have got on your plants is aphids, a kind of pest. Try spraying the plant with water. If that is not enough, spray a mild soap solution mixed with water. Isolate the infested plants before you do that.

    I had aphid infestation on one of my creepers. I tried removing the aphids by hand (YUCk!!) and later since that didn't work wiped the leaves with a solution of turmeric, ginger, salt and pepper powder. On hindsight, should have left out salt( few leaves got browned). While it took care of the leaves, the stems were a little dicey, so again tried the water spray. Fingers crossed now:).

    Since you are in Bangalore, try out the Neem pesticide that you get in supermarkets / Namadhari / Lalbagh nursery. Should do the trick.

    Hope this helps.

    Sindhu
     
  3. busyb123

    busyb123 New IL'ite

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    Hi Sindhu, Thank you for the reply. Someone suggested salt water spray and it does seem to help. The leaves were already brown and I removed all the brown leaves. The salt water doesn't seem to have made the green leaves worse. I have already discarded 2 plants and 1 more is about to die. But I am looking at 1 palm which seems to be badly hit, but recovering now. I will also look out for the neem pesticide..good idea.

    Aphid...Isn't that an insect? This is all cottony. Is that how it is?
     
  4. Ammukutty

    Ammukutty Bronze IL'ite

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    Hi busyb,
    I hope your plants are saved.If its not an aphid attack then it could be probably fungal attack viz powdery mildew.Did you notice a growth of this type?
    [​IMG]
     
  5. Dolphi

    Dolphi New IL'ite

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    That could be mealy bugs.. It usually looks like cotton stuff.. But wen u keenly observe, u ll find it moving..!! See before it spreads out too quickly.. It mainly attacks hibiscus..! It sits on the backside of the leaves and sucks the juices of the plant.. Just spray a little hard on it.. These things cant climb back..!! U can also use neem cake for it.. But these bio-pesticides will take time.. If these bugs are uncontrollable, then go for a pesticide called rogan.. only few drops in a litre of water should do good...

    Note: If using rogan, take great care and dont over-dose ur plant wid it..!!tsk


    Mealy bugs are exactly like this

    [​IMG]
     
  6. deepagopalan

    deepagopalan Gold IL'ite

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    the same case is in my hibiscus....i cut all the leaves and again these white spongy creature spoiling my new leaves...
     
  7. Shanvy

    Shanvy IL Hall of Fame

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    deepa,

    my hibsicus had it.


    A harder spray of water does the trick. and once you see the white stuff floating, ensure it is out of the way of the plants. in the sense, clean out the place, around the pots.

    i also use neem oil and soap in water spray that was suggested in this forum and it has helped.
     
  8. Sindhurao

    Sindhurao Gold IL'ite

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    Hi busyb123:

    Sorry you are right, what infested your plants are not aphids (don't what I was thinking while typing!!). It has to be mealy bugs or powdery mildew like the others in the thread have mentioned.

    If it is mealy bugs the plant has, try wiping the places with bugs with alcohol.

    Sindhu
     
    Last edited: Dec 25, 2009

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