Hi guys, I was growing a Pachira from a cutting... the little guy has a *lot* of sentimental value to me. The leaves and new section of shoot grew really rapidly and nicely from it.... and then an accident (don't want to go into it... sheer stupidity- sigh) had the whole new section of shoot and leaves lopped off. So anyway I'm left with the original cutting, no leaves, no new growth since the accident. I know it's crazy and know people will tell me to give up on the plant at this point, but I can't let go of it just yet. Anyway I've noticed some mealybugs and... what I think might be scale on it [is the fact that mealybugs are around a sign it's still alive/hanging on?]. I'm not sure-- I can't tell whether it's scale or the nodes on the plant-- they look too big to be scale. I've started spraying neem oil on the stem. Has anyone ever used a toothbrush to get rid of scale without causing damage to the plant? ANy other suggestions at all that I could try (even if it's likely to be a gone cause) would be really welcome. Here's a pic: http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa374/what_was_i_thinking2010/IMG_0456.jpg
