Matt, what did you use to rid scale? Baby shampoo or a chemical insecticide? Chemicals are dangerous. Especially if used indoors. Since you're in NY, you either sprayed inside or hauled outdoors to apply..Or did you use systemic? I once killed a Gardenia tree by using a harsh chemical, even though, the tree was outside, and I followed directions to a T. Ironically, branches blackenedd and tree died..Not from scale, but the chemical itself, since it died the day after applying insecticide. I spray citrus with Fish Emulsion, in autumn, before bringing indoors..FE prevents and kills scale on contact. If you find Fish Emulsion replusive, (it has a fishy smell that lasts about 2 days, but they now sell an odorless type) there are other oils such as Neem. Artificial light will certainly help, but in your case, I doubt low light is/was the cause of your lemon's problems. Stop fertilizing..For one thing, as you stated, light is low..Citrus go into a semi-dormancy..They need a rest period..If light is low, plants slow down, therefore, adding fertilizer can cause spindly growth. Also, when a plant is undergoing problems, disease/insects, it is advised to stop adding fertilizer. If anything, in early fall, add a slow-release, low NPK type. In spring, or when growth is spotted, start your regular feeding program. I disagree the Baby Shampoo did any damage. How much did you use, and what ratio of water? One author and tv host, Jerry Baker, recommends cleaning foliage with baby shampoo.. Did you discard the Ficus? Considering it's a bonsai, scale shouldn't be too difficult ridding. For starters, you can hand-pick, unless you're squeamish about bugs..Matt, you're talking to a 'bugophobic,' lol, yet, if I saw scale on a plant, you'd best believe I'd start plucking, though spraying is preferable..lol Prune blackened branches..they will not resort to green. Shake plant to remove dead leaves..Toss leaves in the trash, or burn..which reminds me..if you have other plants, especially neighboring, inspect each carefully..also, isolate plants with scale. Move plants to a cool,(65-68F is fine) airy, humid location..and yes, humidifers help big time..fresh air is also important. If you have a ceiling fan, run on low at least 1 hour a day..it circulates air to a degree. I also use a rotating fan. Matt, do you have a picture to post? If your citrus is managable size, after removing dead leaves, haul to sink or shower, allow water wash leaves..2-4 mins. Hose Ficus too. Matt, I'm an optimist when it comes to plants..only plants, but plants, nonetheless..Some of my plants were bought in what I coined, the 'dead cart' in stores where plants were going to be tossed..In and outdoor plants..I'd never buy an infested plant, no Sir, I'm not that optimistic..lol.. Good luck, Toni If you have any questions, ask away..Please stop fertilizing, and before adding water, check soil, make sure it's dry before giving a drink.

Try pure neem oil such as dyna gro sells. It should take care of the problem. I would suggest also purchasing an insecticidal soap and mixing the two together. The soap not only kills the bugs on contact, but acts as an emulsifier for the oil so it adheres to plant surfaces better. The soap kills the soft bodied critters on contact and the neem oil sticks around to take care of anything left munching on the plant. Neem oil is safe for beneficial bugs as it has to be ingested to work and it's safe for humans as it's modes of action don't affect us (it's used in some organic health care products that are ingested and applied to skin).

Thanks for the reply Johnmerr Do I need to worry about washing a few of them into the soil? I'm sure a few of them got sprayed or picked and fell into the soil. They won't infect the soil?

Good morning, y'all, . Thank you for the kind words, Mike. Laura, I will definitely hit you if I ever head towards Annapolis :). And thanks to all of you for the well wishes for Dave. It means more than you know. . He's better, I think. He's starting to be hungry again, and he now eats 3 meals a day. Granted, they are much smaller meals than what he used to have, and they are almost fat free, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. We haven't had any setbacks since he left the hospital, so I must be doing something right in what I feed him. We are scheduled to go see some big wig at Hopkins that is specializing n Pancreatitis, so we'll see what he tells us. . The trees have been spending their days outside (except yesterday since temps were in the friggin 40's), but I've chickened out on the nights when I saw it go below 50 this week, so I brought them back in for the nights. As soon as it's steadily staying above 55, I'll just leave them out 24/7. I can't wait for that, either. I am so sick of that rain and constant drizzle and cold. I need some sunshine at least as much as my trees do. . I've also just finished giving them their first feed since last October when I brought them in for the winter, and their very first FP feed, since we decided to stop giving them the organic Grow More fertilizer I gave them last year. I've fumbled a little with the strenght to give them, and figured out 1/4 Tbsp for 1/2 gallon, as described in THIS POST I intend to use the "mikerno-approved method", and feed them every day about 10 minutes after their daily watering. I was uncertain of my FP per gallon proportions, so I decided to start low at 1/4 Tbsp / 1/2 gallon (1/2 gallon being the volume of my "fertilitzer pitcher"). . I haven't seen any scales appear back, but that doesn't mean squat, I still have to redo the Neem oil next week (Tuesday will be a week since my last application), and then the week after that, again. . I'm sorry I'm not contributing more to these boards, these days. It's just that by the time I'm done with all I have to do, I'm so drained and bone deep exhausted that I can't summon the energy to actually "write" anything. I do read your posts and replies, though, it's relaxing and allows me to think of something else, no matter how briefly. . I hope y'all have a great week end. God bless, . Atheen