Hey team! New to the app and wanted to pick your beautiful brains. Bought this beautiful fiddle in January and he was doing good, until recently, I noticed some mealy bugs/spider mites (or whatever they are called). Used very diluted water and soap to wipe off the leaves and then purchased the neel oil (on day 3). I love this tree lots and don’t want to steer him wrong but am not sure if I’m approaching properly. Anyone know the issue or have suggestions?? Thanks in advance.
Oh no not the fiddle leaf.. take it to the shower or outside with water hose spray the leaves off really good, I would even get rid of the soil then spray leaves front and back really good with neem oil
1 likeThank you so much! I will absolutely do that and let it get some real sunlight. You’re the best.
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The damage looks rather extensive. Are you sure it isn’t thrips? For mealys I use insecticidal soap every three days for about three weeks. But I’ve never had a bad infestation though. For future plans, try a systemic in the soil such as Bonide. Works for a couple months. Good luck.
1 likeThanks, Phil! I’ll take a look at the drainage and get some of the Bonide soil. I really appreciate it!
0 likesAlso, what is thrips? I blinked and the damage was apparent. It looked healthy as could be for awhile then when I got up super close I saw the webs of the mealy things.
0 likes You may be thinking two different bugs. Mealys are white and fuzzy. You may find egg sacks on the plant. Modus operandi is swab them with alcohol, which immediately kills them. Actual webs are from spider mites. The webs are haphazard and not orderly. So it sounds like it is not thrips. I’ve never dealt with them but everyone says they are very difficult. So I think your best bet is do some googling about those three pests. You can get a better idea with online pics and compare those to your plant issue.
1 likeYou’re the best Phil, thank you!
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