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sticky problem with house plant

graigrai Posts: 78
in Plants

image

hi everyone I don't know what the name of this house plant is but it's getting tiny brown seed like things attaching to it's under leaves and producing  stickiness all over the leaves and dropping onto the window ledge underneath which needs constantly wiping up 

first of all are these seeds or are they actually in fact for some kind of pest?

I wipe them until they come off with a wet cloth but they keep coming back 

would greatly appreciate any advice 

also does anybody know what the name of this plant 

thanks Graham x

Posts

  • GuybrushGuybrush Posts: 172

    Sounds like you may have an infestation of scale insects. Spraying the leaves with soapy water may help but I'd wait for better advice from someone more experienced with house plants.

    More info here https://www.rhs.org.uk/Advice/profile?PID=224

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147

    I also think it sounds like a scale insect infestation. Check Guybrush's link for advice on how to treat the problem. 

    Last edited: 14 June 2017 06:16:34


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147

    I'm not sure from the pic but it might be a Schefflera. 


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • graigrai Posts: 78

    thanks

    I know bracken reproduces by growing seeds under its leaves which made me wonder if that's what these little brown things were

    but I think this plant in the wild probably flowers and seeds that way and these tiny brown things are bugs which explains all the stickiness

    I'm constantly removing them one by one with a damp cloth but I can't get rid of them they've been there since I had the plant - the sap like discharge goes everywhere and is a real drag - all over the leaves and all over the window sill underneath

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147

    Look at the link Guybrush posted about scale insects and choose your method of eradication.

    If you don't get rid of them you'll lose your plant because it will become weaker and weaker. 


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • GuybrushGuybrush Posts: 172

    Also the stickiness is honeydew which is excreted by the insects. This can attract black sooty mould which will cover the lower leaves, excluding light needed for photosynthesis.

  • pr1mr0sepr1mr0se Posts: 1,193

    The plant looks very much like a Schleffera.  I have one and it, too, became infested with scale insects.  I have just about got this under control using two methods:  firstly, when I noticed the infestation a few months ago, I drenched the pot with a Provado solution.  This is more often used to try to control vine weevils, but the pack says it is also effective for scale insects.

    There was some success, although it didn't eradicate them, so my second way of getting rid of them has been to wipe every single leaf with surgical spirit (and washing it off + dead scales a day or so later). 

    So far so good.  But I shall have to be vigilant.  Past experience has shown that these pests are persistent.

  • graigrai Posts: 78

    thanks everyone!

    I love this plant it's in my bathroom and the leaves are an amazing shiny deep green and a lovely shape so I don't want to lose it - I've also had it some years and I'm fond of it

    I'll go down the route of treating for scale insects and just try to keep them at bay with constant wiping xx

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