mealybugs on Sempervivum
Quick answer
If your Sempervivum has mealybugs, the most likely cause is: Tovah Martin observes that sempervivums are frequently plagued by root mealy bugs, which form telltale white, cottony masses on the root systems of these otherwise invincible hens-and-chicks, so commonly that she routinely unpots nursery stock to inspect the roots before buying.
Start here:
- 1. Unpot the plant at the nursery or at home and inspect the rootball for the telltale white, cottony masses of root mealybugs before purchase or before symptoms spread to neighbouring chicks.
- 2. Wash affected roots under running water to dislodge the mealybugs and repot into a fresh, sandy, well-drained mix in a shallow container; isolate the plant from healthy sempervivums while you treat and monitor it.
Why Sempervivum gets mealybugs
Sempervivum
Tovah Martin observes that sempervivums are frequently plagued by root mealy bugs, which form telltale white, cottony masses on the root systems of these otherwise invincible hens-and-chicks, so commonly that she routinely unpots nursery stock to inspect the roots before buying.
How to reverse mealybugs on Sempervivum
- 1
Unpot the plant at the nursery or at home and inspect the rootball for the telltale white, cottony masses of root mealybugs before purchase or before symptoms spread to neighbouring chicks.
- 2
Wash affected roots under running water to dislodge the mealybugs and repot into a fresh, sandy, well-drained mix in a shallow container; isolate the plant from healthy sempervivums while you treat and monitor it.
Keep mealybugs off this Sempervivum
Quarantine newly purchased sempervivums and inspect their root systems before adding them to the rest of the collection, and avoid overwatering or letting pots sit in soggy soil where root mealybugs thrive.