Please Help! Possible bug problem on Schlumbergera Truncata (I think)

8 years ago

My mom dropped by today & gave me this beauty to brighten my day...

When I took the decorative paper off I noticed not only was the soil drenched but it may have a bug problem (I'm not sure though). My mom knows I have a new love, bordering on addiction to C&S's. She wanted to add a Thanksgiving Cactus to my collection. She's had one for years but this is my 1st. I asked her but she wasn't sure if it's bugs (possibly mealy) or not so I thought I'd reach out to see if I can get some advice.

It has a lot of what looks like water spots on it from (what I assume) being watered from above. But then there are some other suspecious looking spots.

(what was on the plastic pot I removed)

The black spots I believe is soil since I didn't see it anywhere except at the soil line

(there are more spots I didn't circle) **I have more photos if needed**

If there is a bug/mealy issue, can the segments (leaves? Don't know the correct terms yet) blooms & soil be sprayed with rubbing alcohol? I have 70% & 90% on hand. If so, do i need to mix it with water or soap & spray everything? If not, what should I use & how?

I took it out of its plastic pot & let it sit on paper towels to help soak up some of the exces water then put it in a terracotta pot in hopes that it'll help dry out the medium until I can get what I need to repot it.

I've read that an orchid mix is better than gritty mix for the Thanksgiving Cactus. If that's so, is there a preferred orchid mix/particle size? If not what medium is suggested? The only thing I currently have on hand is a small amount of GM.

If I get what I need should I repot it tomorrow or do I need to wait for it to finish blooming & just hold off on watering until it's mostly dry/damp before watering again?

Sorry for the long post but thought I'd ask all my questions in one post.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts/suggestions!

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Comments (5)

ewwmayo
8 years ago
The white spots look very suspicious. Could be mealybugs, seeing any small crawlers would confirm.

Never sprayed mine with alcohol before, so I can't help with that.

For mix, small bark pieces are good. Same size as for gritty mix, that I've heard. Charcoal/Coco fiber/etc are not required.
flowerlilies77 (zone 6b - PA) thanked ewwmayo
ewwmayo
8 years ago
Oh, watering - I usually water when the leaves get softer and look a little dehydrated. How often depends on your exact environment and mix.

Mine is every three days or so (which probably doesn't help you knowing this).
flowerlilies77 (zone 6b - PA) thanked ewwmayo
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rooftopbklyn (zone 7a)
8 years ago
The fluff could be mealies. Usually with that much of it you'll be able to see an adult somewhere, that looks very much like a little white bug.

Do isolate that plant immediately, mealy bugs are very nasty and can be difficult to get rid of once they spread to other plants.

I don't grow any cacti myself so not sure about best treatment. On many other plants I've used both neem and bayer 3-in-1, which I consider to be the nuclear option (bayer). But mealy bugs, well, yeah. The most destructive plant pest I've encountered (not that I have much pest experience).
flowerlilies77 (zone 6b - PA) thanked rooftopbklyn (zone 7a)
flowerlilies77 (zone 6b - PA)
Original Author
8 years ago
Thank you both! Hopefully someone will drop by & know for sure about the bugs/best way to treat. If not I'm going to do an experiment tomorrow>>>soil drench w/the bayer 3 in 1 & clean the leaves w/rubbing alcohol & q-tips! If it survives great if not mom already gave the ok to toss it. I do have it isolated but I definitely don't want an outbreat/infestation in the house. Have dealt that before with aphids & DON'T want to live that nightmare again w/any bug!

If I have to resort to experimenting, can it be repotted into the new mix after the bug issue is taken care of, wait until it's finished blooming or spring time?

Thanks :)
lmontestella
8 years ago
From here I can't see any fluff, so I'd guess it to be mechanical damage, some kind of injury. If it starts to look cottony or fluffy, that's mealy for sure. I'd put the pot back on & leave it alone or it'll may drop its buds.
flowerlilies77 (zone 6b - PA) thanked lmontestella

Please Help! Possible bug problem on Schlumbergera Truncata (I think)

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ewwmayo

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Please Help! Possible bug problem on Schlumbergera Truncata (I think)

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ewwmayo

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