Home Shop Flowers Bloomin' Blog Find Florists About FSN Contact FSN Florists Only!
Find Your Local Florist:
Home Shop Flowers Bloomin' Blog Find Florists About FSN Contact FSN Florists Only!

Help! What Are These Bugs On My House Plant?

Ask the Plant Expert:

Is this scale? Is this houseplant savable?! – Noah

Mealy Bugs on House Plant

[Read more…]

What Is This White Stuff On My Azalea?

Ask the Expert: what would get the white fungus off azaleas , leaf the azalea has white on them , on the leafs is it a fungus , what can spray on them will mild soapy water work. Janet

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply:

First we need to determine if you really have a fungus. Is the white substance powdery and can you wipe it off. If so, you have a fungus called powdery mildew. Soapy water doesn’t work on fungus. You will need a fungicide. Your local garden center will have a general purpose fungicide that will work for well on powdery mildew.

If the white on the leaves is more of a lacy pattern on the leaf that can not be wiped away, your azalea has been attacked by an insect called lace bug. Soapy water doesn’t usually control this type of sucking insect. However, if a more organic approach is what you want – try it. If it doesn’t work, you will need an insecticide.

You have two choices when it comes to insecticide control for lace bug – topical or systemic. The topical insecticides work more quickly, but won’t protect as long. Systemic insecticides are slow acting, but longer lasting. Your local garden center will carry both of these products.

Keep in mind, the damage caused by the insects will not change. The plant will produce new leaves and they will eventually cover the damaged ones. So, it is important to keep the lace bugs from attacking these new leaves.

If you would like to read more about the lace bug on Azaleas, the Clemson Cooperative Extension Service has a great article: Azalea & Rhododendron Insect Pests

Charleston florists are proud sponsors of the Flower Shop Network blog.

Identify These Dead Pests

Ask the Expert: Dead insects

Flies Or Gnats
Flies Or Gnats

We are on vacation and have a neighbor watching our house.  Over the past few days there have been many of these dead insects found.  See attached photo.  Any idea what they might be and how to get rid of them?

Thanks. Fay

Plant Expert Reply:

It could be a fruit or shore fly or even a fungus gnat.  It is hard to tell without an up-close picture.

Are these in your house or where you are vacationing? If they are in your house, did you leave any fruit behind? Decaying fruit can become a breeding ground for flies and gnats.  You will need to remove the breeding source – decaying fruit, soggy houseplant soil with fungus etc.  To get rid of the adults you can place traps or use an insecticide safe for the house. 

Good luck and keep me posted.