I’m in a mood today. Advice needed A couple of days ago I found my newish rubber plant with the leaves getting distorted (like the beginning of a graphic explanation of space wormholes - photo 1) and I didn’t know why. Today I found this AH (photo 2). I have a money tree, a peperomia, and a ZZ around it. Should I treat them too? Or only if I find a bug in the next few days? Thank you.
I’m sorry you’re having a day. Deep Breaths. Examine all your plants, remove the mealies with cotton and 70% alcohol, quarantine them. Re-examine daily for about 5 weeks. If you have a systemic you can use in the soil as a precaution for future pests, that’d be a good idea. It might not be an infestation just yet. Unfortunately, that one distorted leaf will not return to normal. Deep breaths. It’ll be okay.
2 likes I examined the whole plant and found a total of two adult mealy bugs and no larvae (?). But I did find a fluff of mealy bugs under the tiny fold of the nursery pot. Nasty. I’ll repot later. For now I spot treated with alcohol and the. Drenched it in insecticide soap. I’m trying to find the magnifying glass to look for larvae in the neighboring plants.
1 like Sounds like you’re doing all you can do! 👍🏽 keep examining them until you no longer see evidence of them, their “fluffs” or newly distorted or discolored leaves. You’ve SO got this.
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I can’t see what you’re talking about…
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I couldn't see anything either lol
0 likes Sorry. The photo is bad. It’s a mealy bug right there
Pay special attention to the leaf axles and in the other cracks and crevices. You may not see them but they hide very well. There are root mealy bugs but I don't know what kind you have.
1 like Yes. I’m considering repotting just in case. Idk
0 likes Update: I did repot. 3 other adult mealybugs in the more external roots and no larvae. Not sure how is that there are no larvae. Anyways, I rinsed the root thoroughly and put them 10 minutes in 120 F water. Now they are drying for the night and tomorrow I’ll drench them in insecticide soap and repot once dry. I hope it survives. If you have any advice, please share. Thank you all 💚
