White all over elephant ears - Ask Extension
They start out healthy & vibrant in color & then the white stuff covers leaves & they die? Planter is on my balcony. It was getting morni...
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White all over elephant ears #658994
Asked July 02, 2020, 11:36 AM EDT
They start out healthy & vibrant in color & then the white stuff covers leaves & they die? Planter is on my balcony. It was getting morning sun & started to dry out. I can move to spot that gets afternoon sun but that’s even hotter? I’m totally new to trying to have plants. Please let me know what to get/do to save them. Thank you.
Hillsborough County Florida
Expert Response
Without seeing the bottom of the leaves or with other information, I think this might be spider mite damage or sunscald. This is not a plant that likes to dry out, and will not do well in the spot that gets more sun. This is a shade-type plant that likes moist soil. I am not completely sure of the plant, but it may be philodendron. If so, here is information about the care of the plant: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fp472
Sorry-I thought you could see the header. They are elephant ears. I was able to view one that I had cut off under magnifying glass & it appears to be tiny, tiny black round bug. I sprayed with Neem Oil. Hope it will kill all of them & not harm new growth. Thank you so much for your assistance.
I also have an Angel Trumpet (planted in ground after it had been in planter on my balcony). My mistake was using fresh potting soil (Miracle Gro). It was just one stick cutting with one leaf growing on it when given to me. I mistakenly thought it was Plumeria-see how clueless I am. When I realized what it was I planted in ground like my daughter did hers that’s growing beautifully. Leaves lost color & started falling off-did same thing-used magnifying glass & appears to be mealy bugs
Good job finding the bugs! A very tiny round one would likely be spider mites - that's going to take retreatment, as they are very pesky pests. And mealybugs can also be ugly to treat, but the same oil you use for the mites may work on the mealybugs, too. Basically you are smothering them with the oil. Be careful with application - the oil can burn plants when they are in the sun and temps are high. Keep up the good work with your magnifying glass!!
