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Cyclamen

jennings31ajennings31a Posts: 2
in Problem solving
I am getting a sticky substance on the leaves and flowers, with brown residue that wipes off. I have had this plant for several years and never had this before. My other cyclamen is perfectly alright. I keep the plant on the windowsill in the kitchen, where it has always been. The plant looks perfectly healthy with green leaves and plenty of flowers. Can you please tell me what the problem is?

Posts

  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    It has bugs. They could be aphids, but I would expect those to be visible, so it could be scale insects. If you look very closely at the underside of the leaves and stems you may see little shield-shaped things attatched. They can be gently rubbed off but they are really tough to get rid of and given that it's a houseplant, I would be tempted to use a systemic big killer.
  • jennings31ajennings31a Posts: 2
    Thank you Posy. It does look like it's possably some sort of bug, as on closer inspection there seems to be some sticky cobwebs between the stems at the base of the plant. So I 'll give it a spray, although I only have Rose Clear.
  • RubytooRubytoo Posts: 1,630
    Sticky cobwebs might be red spider mite?
    While checking what you might use I just found this link with apparently says cyclamen can have their own mites.
    See the summary part, the sections are clickable with some photots you can compare.
    https://www.cyclamen.com/en/professional/diseases/1/2#anchor-6

    Hope you manage to sort it.
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    If they are in flower, check the inside 'cup' of each flower as I find aphids love to hide inside them.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
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