Just because you don't see them on other leaves doesn't mean they're not present on other leaves btw. What you see are the adults, the "babies" are too small to see with the naked eye. Scale is notorious for spreading, so if you have any neighboring plants, just be sure to treat them as well as a precaution. My Mom gave me a cactus a couple years ago from Lowes. I didn't see anything on it when I inspected it, but a couple weeks later, it was covered in scale and just about every one of its "neighbors" were showing signs of scale. I had to chunk everyone. Planto

Thank you all for your advice (sorry for the late thank-you -- have been having intermittent computer problems). I wish the prevention part were that easy -- we live in Va. Beach and our property is on the Lynnhaven River -- fairly brackish shallow muddy and probably mosquito nirvana. Our property has a "dog leg" strip that goes down to the water, but we haven't cleared it yet (and legally I'm not sure how we'll wind up doing that -- harsh restrictions because they're trying to revive historical oyster beds). That area is full of marsh grasses, poison ivy and lots of muddy puddle areas. The perimeter of the rest of our rectangular lot is fairly heavily covered in trees, azaleas, ivy, etc. -- lots of hiding places. We're working to clear it somewhat (replacing ivy with mulch) but I also am torn -- I like providing habitat for wildlife (and we have plenty!). I think the biggest problem are the Asian tiger mosquitoes. They're out all day and are so small and fast -- and from what I've read can breed in 1/4" of water very quickly. We purchased one of those pheromone/CO2 traps (is supposed to lure them in where they're fanned into a tray of soapy water) and caught lots of moths. I called the manufacturer in New Zealand and was told that "oh -- they'll work on pretty much all mosquitoes except Asian tiger mosquitoes." We've also got what I'd consider a healthy predatory population -- tons of skinks, snakes, frogs, every bug imaginable (some have got to be predatory, right?) -- I know we've got wheel bugs because I accidentally killed a nymph yesterday before I realized it wasn't a squash bug nymph (similar body shape; wrong color...). Spiders everywhere. We live on a secluded private lane and I've never noticed the city spraying back here. But,.... we're getting eaten alive. Even my husband and kids are getting bitten this year, which is rare. Contrary to what I've heard on the news from "studies" I would disagree that concentrations above 15-20% deet are no more effective than the lower ones. If I wear the "regular" lower concentrations I might as well wear "here's dinner" signs. When I wear the 10-hour yucky oily stuff that's 95% deet it works like a charm. It's horrible, and who knows what it's doing to me, but at least I can step outside and check the garden. But, I did get in my shipment of essential oils -- I just still don't know how to mix the concoctions -- I've read the recipes posted but don't know what the base is. I'm even growing lots of catnip -- I don't yet have enough to take handfuls of the stuff and rub it on myself, but I'm working on it! So thanks again -- and I'll still welcome any recipes! mcaren

There is a guy on the tropicalesque forum growing a zone 7 palm in zone 4. He has an elaborate shelter he puts up for overwintering the largest of them, but it may be done, with plenty of effort. He is Miketropic if I remember correctly, on the Tropicalesque forum. He is in Utah. He has other tropicals he either covers or lifts in winter, but that large palm is permanently planted outside in a shelter. I looks great after the shelter is taken down in spring or summer. There are details about his shelter if you ask for him to tell you how he does it.

Steve, what I see are ivory colored areas/spots on some leaves. First question is have you sprayed them with anythng including water or anything else? Second question, I see you're from the UK and I'm assuming that you keep them on the cool side. Are there any open windows at any time or any other way that spores could get inside your home. I ask b'c I'm really thinking it might be Powdery Mildew of which there are two kinds that can affect tomatoes, but I won't go into that until you post back here Carolyn