I was gifted a Hoya Rope Compacta for the holiday and it came with evidence of a mealy bug infestation. I’ve not found a bug yet, but I’ve seen the white cottony stuff. I know pests are a likely issue with this kind of Hoya, but I’m wondering what your best tips are for Hoya Rope care and if you like having one in your collection. :) Thanks!
When my rope had mealy bugs, I repotted, but before that, I recommend getting all of the soil off of the roots and do a hydrogen peroxide dip, then spray the plant with an insecticide like neem oil. After that and it’s repotted, water with a hydrogen peroxide water mix for the next 3-5 watering! I do 1 part hydrogen peroxide to 5 parts water! The best way to tell if a Hoya or any type of succulent needs water is when the leaves start to wrinkle and become flexible. If the leaves are full and plump is how I know the plant doesn’t need to be watered!
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The white cottony stuff is the bugs, that’s what they look like.
1 Like Maybe I found a squished one then? I pulled open one of the leaves and the cottony stuff pulled apart like a cotton ball would.
0 Likes Maybe. If you have a magnifying glass of any sort, take a look. They just look like cotton to the naked eye, but if you magnify them, you can tell they are insects.
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Spending on how bad the infestation is, you can dunk the plant, pot and all in a mix of water and castor soap. Give it all a good rinsed, do it again. Then spray with horticultural oil and monitor. Make sure you keep it away from other plants for at least 6 weeks. Those sucker jump FAST!
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