imabrat80
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Joined: Fri Jun 27, 2014 10:35 am

what is that sticky stuff on my bonsai?

I am brand new at this whole bonsai thing and need to know what is going on. There is a layer of clear almost crystalized looking goo on the leaves. Am I doing something wrong or not doing something I should? Please help!

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rainbowgardener
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Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2009 6:04 pm
Location: TN/GA 7b

Look for teeny little bugs. Aphids and other plant sucking insects secrete a substance called honeydew, which is clear and sticky. If it's aphids, you can just wash them (and the honeydew) off with a soapy water spray (soap, not detergent) and then rinse your tree after that. If it is scale insects (which just look like little bumps) secreting the honeydew, you will have to touch them with a swab with rubbing alcohol. They have a shell which makes them impervious to the soapy water.

aphids:

Image
https://www.natureloveyou.sg/Plant%20Sto ... id%202.jpg

aphids come in various colors...

scale insects:

Image
https://whatcom.wsu.edu/ag/comhort/nooks ... /scale.jpg

this is close up. In real life, they wouldn't be quite as obvious and there might not be so many of them.

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rainbowgardener
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Location: TN/GA 7b

so, did you find your bugs?

tomc
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Location: SE-OH USA Zone 6-A

Imabrat has never been back.



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