Hi, Can anybody please advise me? I have a Beaucarnia (Ponytail palm) which is currently living in our kitchen / dining room. A few years ago it suffered with mealy bugs which, I believe we had got rid of, but now, within the last few weeks the tufts have started drooping and on closer inspection there are black 'bugs' all over the leaves. What do you recommend to get rid of these bugs? How does this plant keep getting troubled by pests when all my other houseplants remain unaffected (even though some are in the same room). Thanks - and sorry for my lack of knowledge, I am no gardener! Josie
I'd say you now have scale on your ponytail. Something systemic in the way of pesticide (e.g.Confidor if available) will kill the scale. I am wondering if your plant is getting enough sunlight as ponytails generally like full sun/ very well lit areas. If the plant is weak and stressed it will be more prone to attack than your healthier plants. Pests seem to find the weakest plants and attack them first.
