African violet help: White spots on African violet flower petals

2 years ago

last modified: 2 years ago

A few weeks ago I noticed small white spots on the petals of my African violet flowers. There are no spots on the leaves and the violet still blooms frequently. the spots don’t rub off. Does anyone know what is happening or how to fx it?

EDIT: Oh no!! I just noticed tiny, tiny, worm like things crawling around on my flowers! How do I get rid of them!?

Featured Answer

Rosie1949

last year

Hi Yolanda,,,,,yes you can make mealies disappear if you keep after them. Alcohol does the trick. Good luck!!!! Rosie

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Comments (13)

aegis1000
2 years ago
The white is mildew. The solution is to increase air circulation.

The bugs are probably Thrips. Search the forum for tips on how to deal with Thrips ....
irina_co
2 years ago
This time of the year thrips fly through the screened windows as soon as you open them... yucky monsters....
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YOLANDA
last year
Hi all, I think I have leaf mealy bugs. Yesterday, while watering some of my violets, I noticed white sticky goop in the leaf axils - not all axils, just some of them. I dab them with alcohol whips with 70% alcohol - the right alcohol. I just wonder whether I should consider putting this violet plant on the compost pile, or continue treating it?

Any advice is welcome.

Yolanda
damask_rose_zone9b
last year
Hi Yolanda! I had the same problem with one of my violets. I did the same thing you are doing, and about a week later the mealybugs were gone. Just keep on applying the alcohol where you see the goops, and sometimes there will be yellowish bugs on the bloomstalks if you look really close so you can dab them with alcohol too.

I hope this helps!

damask_rose : )
YOLANDA
last year
Thanks to all for the advice. I thought this plant would have to go to the compost pile. I will be wiping it down again today. We have a long weekend here in Canada. Today is being called different things in different parts of the country. I guess it does not matter what you call it if you have a long weekend.

Once again, thanks for the advice.

Yolanda
Rosie1949
last year
Something else I did was put my alcohol in a sprayer bottle. Properly labeled of course! That can really get where no Qtip can reach sometimes.

If you have an infestation that has turned your plant mostly white with mealy then toss it. But for light infestations,,,,,try alcohol first. I have saved many plants over the years. I don't get it often. Once every few years if that. BUT I will always try to "alcohol" it first and I have never had a "spread" thru my collection. Let us know what happens! Rosie
YOLANDA
last year
Rosie, thanks for the suggestion. I have alcohol wipes - I have had surgery a few times over the last 18 months, and we have that around. I think the rubbing alcohol is in the basement. For now it seems to be working. There are NOT yet white with mealies, so this plant will be staying with me.

I have, however, isolated it in the bathroom. It does not have roommates.

Yolanda
Rosie1949
last year
Yolanda, if you need to get in a tight spot to use alcohol and just have wipes, wrap something pointed inside the wipe and then you can get way in there with the alcohol wipe. Gosh did I make sense????

Just keep trying. Anytime you see something white on a plant, first make sure it is not perlite (lol) then use that alcohol ! Good luck! Rosie
irina_co
7 months ago
Agreed. Mars and scratches won't kill African Violets and they will survive some culture breaks or slight mechanical damage if they do not last too long - like overwatering or drying them to the bone - one time will not kill them. But - it can leave unsightly spots, distorted leaves etc. The plant will grow out of it ... eventually.

Regarding thrips... we do not need them. Bedbugs won't kill you... still... you do not want to keep them as pets.
Catarina Ferreira
2 months ago
last modified: 2 months ago
I think I have the same problem in the flowers :( is it mildew? If so I do I fix it? Thank you
aegis1000
2 months ago
last modified: 2 months ago
Get some insecticide (shown below) and put a quarter teaspoon in a cup of water for the plant.

Use that water for the next few times you water. Try to wet the whole soil surface.

Your Thrips should eventually go away.
stillinwisconsin
2 months ago
I agree with aegis you have two issues here

the white spots are mildew…you need better circulation and make sure your potting soil isnt staying wet too long

ive used bonide brand systemic granules for insects

African violet help: White spots on African violet flower petals

Comments (13)

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