thrips on Hoya Compacta
Quick answer
If your Hoya Compacta has thrips, the most likely cause is: Thrips (also called thunder flies) are tiny brown or black sap-sucking insects that move onto Hoya carnosa 'Compacta' from plants that have spent time outdoors; their feeding punctures the waxy leaves and curled, rope-like stems, leaving dull, mottled patches, silvery-white streaks on the leaves and distorted new growth on the vines.
Start here:
- 1. Hang sticky traps near the Hoya carnosa 'Compacta' to catch adult thrips and to monitor how heavy the infestation is, since thrips are tiny and hard to see on the curled stems of the Compacta form.
- 2. Spray the entire vine with a natural or chemical insecticide, covering both sides of the waxy leaves and working it into the tight curls where the sap-sucking thrips hide.
Why Hoya Compacta gets thrips
Hoya carnosa 'Compacta'
Thrips (also called thunder flies) are tiny brown or black sap-sucking insects that move onto Hoya carnosa 'Compacta' from plants that have spent time outdoors; their feeding punctures the waxy leaves and curled, rope-like stems, leaving dull, mottled patches, silvery-white streaks on the leaves and distorted new growth on the vines.
How to reverse thrips on Hoya Compacta
- 1
Hang sticky traps near the Hoya carnosa 'Compacta' to catch adult thrips and to monitor how heavy the infestation is, since thrips are tiny and hard to see on the curled stems of the Compacta form.
- 2
Spray the entire vine with a natural or chemical insecticide, covering both sides of the waxy leaves and working it into the tight curls where the sap-sucking thrips hide.
Keep thrips off this Hoya Compacta
Keep Hoya carnosa 'Compacta' healthy and well-watered so the plant is not under stress, isolate it from any plants that have spent time outdoors where thrips populations build up, and hang sticky traps near the pot to monitor and reduce their numbers before they reach the vines.