Are these mealy bugs in my African violet? - Ask Extension
I have 2 African violets in self-watering pots that I repotted a couple of weeks ago. Now both are showing these small, discrete white spots on the so...
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Are these mealy bugs in my African violet? #212423
Asked September 15, 2014, 2:41 AM EDT
I have 2 African violets in self-watering pots that I repotted a couple of weeks ago. Now both are showing these small, discrete white spots on the soil. The spots don't seem to be on the leaves and they don't seem to be moving (even under a magnifying glass). The plants are not showing any obvious ill effects. Several of my gardener friends suggested it might be perlite, but the beads are too small and uniform, and that also doesn't explain the wispy weblike material you can see surrounding the clumps. I've been searching for info online and the closest descriptions I can find describe mealy bugs, but I'm not convinced. Any ideas or advice? Thank you! --Jennifer
Denver County Colorado
Expert Response
Hi Jennifer,
I am sorry, but I cannot
tell for sure what the white matter is from the picture. Mealy bugs suck on plant
juices, so they are usually found usually where the
leaf joins the stem or along leaf veins. Here is a fact sheet
with more information: http://www.ext.colostate.edu/ptlk/1466.html
The fact that your plants are not being affected is good. If you remove the white mater does it reappear? If you would like, you can bring a sample to our office at 888 E. Iliff Ave. and we can take a look at it.
Yes, it reappeared after I removed it. That makes me think it's a fungus. I'm letting the soil dry out a bit to see if that has any effect. Thanks! I may bring one over to your office this week if I get time.
I stopped by the Extension office this morning and you confirmed it is a fungus but is not harmful to the plant. Thank you for your help!
You are welcome!
