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Is this Hydrangea scale..

84Cherrytree84Cherrytree Posts: 4
in Plants
I've noticed these white specs on some of the leaves on my hydrangea, is this hydrangea scale and should it be treated?.

It doesn't look like an infestation as it's only on a few of the leaves so I don't want to spray it with anything and potentially damage the plant if it's not necessary.

Thanks in advance.

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Aphids.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • 84Cherrytree84Cherrytree Posts: 4
    Thank you, I've saw several sprays for this online. Do you know of any particular treatment that may be best to use?.
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    Water from a hose pipe will wash them off if you think there are that many,  the white ones are dead skins probably,  hopefully,  with lots of fledgling around they will eat them for you.
    Spraying with chemicals is not the best idea this time of the year. 
    They haven’t done that leaf damage if that’s what you’re worried about. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I never use them. The birds eat them, especially blue tits who use them for their chicks. If there's a big infestation briefly, I wipe them off or use  a squish from the hose.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • 84Cherrytree84Cherrytree Posts: 4
    I'll give them a spray with the hose pipe today.

    Thanks for the replies  :)
  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    edited May 2023
    They might be aphid cast off skins; I think I can see one greenfly.  But no worries, they don't seem to be doing any harm.
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    They're rarely a problem of any kind with a healthy Hydrangea, and usually short term, if you have a good balance with predators taking them. They're vital for the food chain   :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • 84Cherrytree84Cherrytree Posts: 4
    Thanks all, I'll just leave it alone and use a hose if it starts to bother the plant.

    This hydrangea is a cutting from my Gran's garden so I'm a bit protective!.
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