---
title: "I have scale, and I was wondering is this the black sooty mold thing…"
description: "I have scale, and I was wondering is this the black sooty mold thing and how to treat it? This is my lemon tree and I really do not want him to die😭"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ/o7PHWfONQeN8zg4ybxupLb"
community: "Pests, diseases and problems"
author: "Planta member"
published: "2025-03-14T15:03:22.331199Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/jSuMEg1a4lntYk2BmGk_vihrbMENmyacZb599zGSs3A/cJmsSaCJSUOUy1Ul33pmHQ.webp?size=large"
---

[Community](https://getplanta.com/community.md) / [Pests, diseases and problems](https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ.md)

# I have scale, and I was wondering is this the black sooty mold thing…

_Posted by Planta member on 2025-03-14_

I have scale, and I was wondering is this the black sooty mold thing and how to treat it?  
This is my lemon tree and I really do not want him to die😭

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/jSuMEg1a4lntYk2BmGk_vihrbMENmyacZb599zGSs3A/cJmsSaCJSUOUy1Ul33pmHQ.webp?size=large)

## 3 comments

### Dave\_opuntiaface commented on 2025-03-14

How big is that spot? (Can I see the full tree?)

#### Planta member replied on 2025-03-14

idk what kind of photo u want but the spots are relatively small

![Attachment 1 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/jSuMEg1a4lntYk2BmGk_vihrbMENmyacZb599zGSs3A/V4atuTQqQFeU23GSdILl8Q.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 2 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/jSuMEg1a4lntYk2BmGk_vihrbMENmyacZb599zGSs3A/BEFCY94JRcui5KfK4eKHVw.webp?size=large)

#### Dave\_opuntiaface replied on 2025-03-15

Hi. My style would be to trim the leaf and keep an eye on it. You could use a mix of 1 teaspoon Castile soap (the liquid kind) and 1 quart water - wipe it with a Q-Tip. I’ve tried Neem, insecticidal super soap, and a bunch of other alcohol/hydrogen peroxide mixes to treat soil and succulent leaves, and find that they’re too harsh.

Here is a random picture of mold that I once treated lol.

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/gFKgBIDtQUSoNHyzAXA4pLM-wYI4yLGXFPAMGDtMt3o/YsljzU68ROyJTTlRNaJRyQ.webp?size=large)

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