Hi everyone! My opuntia has grown like crazy in the last 3-1/2 months, but I’m noticing white patches on her. Some is fuzzy and can be removed with a q-tip, but some other parts (pictured here) is more hard to remove. Is this harmful, despite the big growth this summer? If so, any remedies? I currently have neem oil at home, but can get whatever is necessary. Thanks and have a great day!
It’s a very large invasion of mealy bugs, the fuzzy ones, and/or thrips! There are so many it may be quicker to spray them off with a hose and treat the remaining with neem oil at least once a week until they are gone. It won’t be quick.
4 likes Thank you for your advice! I can only wonder where they came from… but quite happy to hose them off in my tub! Unfortunately no outdoor space in my apartment building.
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I’ve heard to use rubbing alcohol on a Q-tip is the best way to kill the little basters and neem oil for prevention. I personally mix neem with alcohol and pure Castile soap in a spray bottle. I received a ficus full of thrips from a famous grower on YouTube
2 likes Oh no, I hate to hear the same thing happened to you. I also received this full of bugs, but I didn’t realize that’s what they were and luckily my other plants are safe since this lives isolated in a corner. Thank you for the advice! May we both stop getting buggy plants from reputable sources :)
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They look like scale too me, but not sure. If they are mealy bugs, I usually spray 70% alcohol directly on the succulents. Let it dry, and then wipe off. You will need to repeat 1 x a week for at least 2 weeks.
1 likeThis is a pumpkin
That’s a mining worm. Best thing to do is cut off the infested leaves and trow them away…far away! You van also try neem oil
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I watched a video where, after all the alcohol treatment (I demand to be covered in alcohol if I’m ever covered in bugs), the owner legit used a power hose on the plant. I watched said video to figure out if a three-inch plant was worth saving. I just pictured me turning on the hose and the plant flies across the yard. Anyway, have you had success after this?
1 like I actually have! The alcohol, shooting with water, and need oil have conquered the vast majority of this problem. I’m in for the long haul!
1 like Awesome! The one I had would have disintegrated under a hose.
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