Brush Cherry (Eugenia) Question

[Aurora]

I have an indoor Brush Cherry (Eugenia) and I've only had it for a year. I've noticed a few things...

First, the leaves now have a very sticky residue, I assume this is from pruning maybe?? It was trimmed when I bought it as a topiary tree and I've kept the shape, but maybe I'm not pruning it properly. Any ideas?

Also, I just noticed along the twigs and trunk a few light brown oval spots that can be picked off. Is this scale?? And if it is, what should I do to get rid of it??

Thanks so much for any advice you have!

[kdodds]

It does sound like the tree is under attack, perhaps by aphids as well. I don't know about scale insects, but the dish detergent method is usually the first to try for aphids.

[Aurora]

Would you mind explaining the dish detergent method... I'm new at dealing with pests! I don't want to kill my tree.

Thank you for your help!!!

[alisios]

I think it's putting a small amount of dish soap with water in a spray bottle and spraying this on the plant...

[kdodds]

Usually 1-3 drops of dish detergent in a quart spray bottle. There are also "plant safe" pesticides, but I've found that it's about a 50/50 shot whether or not your particular species will react well to them.

[Aurora]

Thanks - I'll give it a try!