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What are these weird things on my houseplants

joe.w.rose29joe.w.rose29 Posts: 2
in Problem solving
Hi all,

Having moved into university, I was given some plants to keep on my windowsill, it all went well for the first month but then I started noticing these white things on the leaves of some of my plants (The plants are cacti, and one of them is similar to a moneyplant, I'm sorry I don't know what species they are) and I haven't been able to identify what they are using google. So that's why I fall back on the infinite wisdom of Gardener's World.

I've attached an image of the beasties, please bear in mind that I am a cash-strapped student and therefor probably don't have the money spare to invest in any fancy products so your cheapest solution would be best!

Thanks

Posts

  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    A good picture of just the white stuff would help.
  • joe.w.rose29joe.w.rose29 Posts: 2

    pansyface said:
    Sorry, I can’t make out any white things in the photo, which is out of focus.

    I would hazard a guess that your problem is mealy bugs. Look up mealy bugs and compare. If so, a small amount of methylated spirit on a cotton bud, dabbed onto them, will kill them off.

    Sorry about the focus, I had to zoom right in on them because they were so small and then the photo was compressed so I could upload it here. I have attached another, hopefully better one. As for you suggestion of mealy bugs I think they may be what they are, but the things I have look smaller to me( for scale the leaf in the photo is about 1cm across.

    I have attached another photo.

    Thanks
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    edited October 2020
    Look up thrips. See if they fit your bill.
  • pitter-patterpitter-patter Posts: 2,429
    edited October 2020
    I think it’s aphids. The white things are probably cast skins.
  • SkandiSkandi Posts: 1,723
    I'm with pitter-patter here, is that leaf that's covered in stuff sticky? and under the plant is the window ledge a bit sticky? If so it's almost certainly aphids.
  • EustaceEustace Posts: 2,290
    Looks like they are aphids. Just give them a good wash with soapwater.
    Oxford. The City of Dreaming Spires.
    And then my heart with pleasure fills,
    And dances with the daffodils (roses). Taking a bit of liberty with Wordsworth :)

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