desert rose leaf damage

Discussion in 'Caudiciforms and Pachycaul Trees' started by bugout4me, Oct 26, 2007.

  1. bugout4me

    bugout4me Member

    Messages:
    2
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    hernando
    my desert rose looks fine except for a black fungus on leaves with a white fuzzy growth I tried soapy water a naturel fungus spray no help. this problem is ongoing for about 7 months.
     
  2. markinwestmich

    markinwestmich Active Member

    Messages:
    543
    Likes Received:
    9
    Location:
    Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States
    http://www.highlandsucculents.com/culture_guide.htm#pests

    Check out this web link.

    Without a close-up photo, I believe your "white fuzzy growth" might actually be mealy bug nests and larvae. I am not aware of any common plant fungi that create white hyphae,...unless, of course, the plant is dead and decaying. Your black spots may or may not be fungus damage, perhaps mealy bug damage. May be why your anti-fungal treatment did not work.

    If this sounds plausable, then a cotton swab dipped in some rubbing alcohol should do the trick. Just wipe them off with the alcohol-soaked cotton swab. Those little critters can be deceptive and will hide in any little crack and crevice on the plant. Sometimes it will take a few sessions of cleaning the plant, a few weeks apart.

    Mark
     
  3. bugout4me

    bugout4me Member

    Messages:
    2
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    hernando
    Thanks for all the input. I do believe that they are melie bugs will try all resourses that were given to me.
    Thanks
    bugout4me
     
  4. joclyn

    joclyn Rising Contributor

    Messages:
    2,707
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    philly, pa, usa 6b
    yes, sounds like mealy bugs to me also! qtips dipped in rubbing alcohol and then rubbed onto the white fuzzy spots should do the trick. i'd treat again in a week and then again in another week - just to make sure you've gotten any eggs that might be present.

    also, since it's been such a long term thing, i'd recommend repotting. the mealy's can also live in the soil and they've had plenty of time to migrate from the plant to the soil.

    depot the plant, gently remove the soil from the roots and discard all of it. clean the pot well (rinse it a couple of times to make sure all residue from your cleaning agent is gone) and then fill with new soil and the plant.
     

Share This Page