scale insects on Platycerium Grande
Quick answer
If your Platycerium Grande has scale insects, the most likely cause is: Scale insects colonise the undersides of Platycerium grande fronds as brown, limpet-like lumps that suck sap and excrete sticky honeydew; left uncontrolled the colony weakens the plant and the leaves turn yellow while sooty mould grows on the sticky residue.
Start here:
- 1. Rub scale insects off the undersides of the fronds by hand with a damp cloth or cotton bud
- 2. Avoid spraying fern fronds with insecticide because they are very sensitive to chemicals; try a biological control instead
Why Platycerium Grande gets scale insects
Platycerium Grande
Scale insects colonise the undersides of Platycerium grande fronds as brown, limpet-like lumps that suck sap and excrete sticky honeydew; left uncontrolled the colony weakens the plant and the leaves turn yellow while sooty mould grows on the sticky residue.
How to reverse scale insects on Platycerium Grande
- 1
Rub scale insects off the undersides of the fronds by hand with a damp cloth or cotton bud
- 2
Avoid spraying fern fronds with insecticide because they are very sensitive to chemicals; try a biological control instead
- 3
Mist the plant regularly with tepid water to disrupt new scale settlers and raise humidity
- 4
Inspect the undersides of fronds during routine watering so a colony is caught before honeydew and sooty mould set in
Keep scale insects off this Platycerium Grande
Platycerium grande grown as a houseplant should be checked for scale on the undersides of fronds whenever it is soaked, because early removal by hand or biological control avoids the yellowing and leaf fall that come from a heavy sap-sucking infestation.