Sticky leaves in indoor plants - causes and struggles

Florists engaged in breeding indoor plants, dream that pets would please with unusual flowers, glossy greens, saturated color of leaves with veins. But sometimes a different picture is observed. The glossy glow of the leaves suddenly faded, they became sticky and covered with a coating similar to white cotton wool. The sticky leaves of indoor plants, causes and pest control are the topic of today's article.

As evidenced by sticky leaves

A healthy flower always attracts with its luxury. If suddenly the plant loses its attractiveness, it means that it has weakened immunity. It is at this moment that harmful insects and organisms can appear that damage the entire surface of the leaves. Florists are puzzled why indoor flowers have sticky leaves. From wounds made by uninvited guests oozing juice that pests drink. Gradually, the sheet is covered with a layer of sticky juice and pest secretions, liquid, viscous and sticky.

The appearance of the scale

Florists involved in plant diseases claim that white sticky plaque on leaves leaves scabies. It is quite difficult to see the pest: its size is very small. He settles near the veins of the plant. The hard shell, consisting of small scales, the color of which can be different, from green to brown, helps the insect disguise itself.

The fight against the pest must begin immediately.

Scale development cycle

Scales are viviparous and ovipositing. The development cycle of an egg-laying individual lasts two months, depending on the ambient temperature. The stages of development of the scale are presented in the table:

California scale insect

Harm and possible consequences

Scabies can infect citrus home plants, oleanders, ficuses, and even cacti. Leaves stick to the flower, turn yellow, the development of stems goes wrong. The infected plant does not bloom. The defeat process has irreversible consequences:

• from a microscopic hole on the leaves oozing nutrients and water;
• wounds - an excellent environment for the development of fungal and viral diseases;
• stomata are clogged on the damaged sheet, which makes breathing difficult;
• due to a lack of oxygen, the process of photosynthesis slows down, which is expressed in the gradual fall of leaves.

White sticky coating on indoor colors: how get rid

Sticky plaque on the leaves of indoor plants leave only scale insects. How to deal with it, prompt forums flower growers. The following chemicals will be effective:

• Aktara - a quick-acting drug that destroys any pests of indoor plants. To prepare the composition, 1 g of powder is dissolved in 1 liter of water. The leaves of the flower are sprayed, a small amount of the product is poured out under the root. Plants do not get used to the drug, so treatment can be carried out several times in 10 days;
• Fitoverm is a biological product. Penetrates into the body of pests through the skin and gastric tract. It has a detrimental effect on the nervous system. A few hours after spraying, the insects stop feeding and die. To prepare the solution, you need to take 2 liters of water and 2 g of the drug. 3-4 procedures are carried out with an interval of five days;
• confidor is a fast-acting effective insecticide. 1 g of substance is dissolved in 0.5 l of water. The effect occurs after 3 hours, the drug enters the gastrointestinal tract of the thyroid gland, and it dies. It is recommended to shed the soil in a flowerpot, but prepare a solution with a lower concentration;
• in the event of a severe outbreak of scale, it is necessary to apply Actellik (the ampoule is diluted in 1 liter of water). Processing is carried out only in the open air.

Fighting the scale shield

Chemical treatment plan for a plant

The frequency of chemical treatment depends on air temperature.

Traditional methods of dealing with sticky plaque

If white plaque appeared on indoor flowers, folk methods suggest how to get rid.

• It is necessary to prepare a thick composition of soap (tar, green) or detergent. With a cotton pad, a napkin (if the leaves are hard, you can take a toothbrush) and remove all pests. This condition cannot be neglected. Next, apply the solution to the entire plant, not excluding the stems. Stand for about 20 minutes. and rinse off the soap with hot water. Care must be taken: if at least one individual remains, the outbreak of infection will begin again. You can rid the plant of the pest by regular treatments. To enhance the effectiveness of measures, after the soap solution is washed off, the shoots of the flower and the soil in the pot can be sprayed with an insecticide;
• Sometimes the white coating on the room flowers is so sticky that it is difficult to wash it. Many flower growers believe that it is better to use a concentrated solution of alcohol (10 ml), warm water (1 l), liquid soap (15 ml). The solution is sprayed, applied to the delicate leaves with a brush.
• Having taken 50 g of hot pepper, you should boil it with boiling water, boil, leave for 24 hours and treat the affected flowers.
• Poisonous celandine also helps: pour 250 g of flowering grass into 1 liter of boiling water and insist for about 2 days.

Dangerous pest

Folk remedies are more often used as preventive, they can also remove midges, but sometimes their action against the scale insects refuses insufficient.

Getting rid of scabies on indoor plants is a long and difficult process, so you need to periodically carefully examine the leaves of the plant, treat with soapy water to protect it from infection and death.