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Rank: Newbie
Joined: 8/4/2008
Posts: 2
Location: California
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Hello All,
I'm brand new to plants and to this site. I recently got a Mandevillea (I'm not sure that's spelled correctly.), and I keep it indoors by a huge window that gets a ton of natural light. I'd say I've had the plant for about two months, three at the most, and it had been doing very well. Tonight when I went to water it I noticed that the pot that it's in was sticky as were some of the leaves. When I looked closer, I noticed this white substance all over the stems and some of the leaves. The white substance reminds me of how white mold looks. You know that soft, white, cottony, almost airy look?
So, my question is, do you know what it is? If so, how do I get rid of it? Is it something that I caused? If so, how can I prevent it in the future?
I really look forward to your thoughts on this problem. Thank you in advance for any help you can offer me. As I said, I am brand new to owning plants of any kind so this is all a learning experience for me.
Edit To Add:
I wanted to add that I was just looking up Mandevilla through Google to see if I could find any information, and now I'm wondering if the plant I have is really a Mandevillea. The reason is because it seems that the sites are saying that this plant has white blooms, and mine are a bright fuscia color. I hope someone can still help me. Thanks again!!
Another Edit:
Today the stickiness is WAY WORSE than it was yesterday, and the little white puffs are still "growing?" Any ideas for me?
Have a wonderful week!!
Michele
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Rank: Newbie
Joined: 7/27/2008
Posts: 2
Location: indiana
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hey! im old to plants, i started in first grade when my teacher gave me a spider plant, and now in 96. (and its still living!) ive seen this plant in my yard (but only as a weed) it gets that white foam on it and its sticky. ive never seen this as a plant (other than a weed, but ill look into it and if i find anything, ill let you know!
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Rank: Newbie
Joined: 8/4/2008
Posts: 2
Location: California
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Thank you Plantlover64! I would really appreciate it because the plant ended up dying, and I still don't know why. I would like to buy another one, but I don't want the same thing to happen. Hope you're having a great weekend!
Michele
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 9/14/2008
Posts: 207
Location: Ankeny, Iowa
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What it sounds like was scale or mealybug. Both are quiite common insects for houseplants and can easily be controlled with chemicals. Both attach themselves to the plants and can cause the sap from the plant to seep out and cause a stickyness to the plant.
Operational Manager at Earl May Nursery and Garden Center in Ames, Iowa Visit my latest website Midwestern Plants
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Rank: Newbie
Joined: 9/15/2008
Posts: 5
Location: Aiken
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I am brand new to plants and I have found that I really enjoy them. I recently got a "Red Sister" at a nursery yard sale. It had not been watered in a few days and it was in the scorching heat, so I brought it home to try and save it. However, I watered it and its in a sunny place (not direct sunlight), but it doesn't look very happy. The leaves seem very dried out to the touch. Is it too late to save it or what can I do? I really like it!!
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 9/14/2008
Posts: 207
Location: Ankeny, Iowa
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If it was in direct sunlight and now it it is inside, the burning of the laeves and leaf loss could be a result of the chance of environment. Al long as the roots are healthy there is a good chance that it still may make it. What I would recommend trim off any dead leaves and give it about 2-3 weeks, if it is alive it will resprout new in that length of time. Also, if it was outside and brought it inside, it is highly recommended to spray it for insects. Many insects on houseplants are very small and once they are inside can easily spread from plant to plant very quickly.
Operational Manager at Earl May Nursery and Garden Center in Ames, Iowa Visit my latest website Midwestern Plants
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Rank: Newbie
Joined: 9/15/2008
Posts: 5
Location: Aiken
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Thanks! If the leaves still have color, but are dried on the tips and egdes should I take those off?
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 9/14/2008
Posts: 207
Location: Ankeny, Iowa
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If the leaves still have color to them I would leave them and just trim off the brown portion of the leaf.
Operational Manager at Earl May Nursery and Garden Center in Ames, Iowa Visit my latest website Midwestern Plants
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Rank: Newbie
Joined: 9/15/2008
Posts: 5
Location: Aiken
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Awesome!! I will definitely do that and I will try my best to keep it alive! Any ideas about calla lilies? My boyfriend bought me one for valentines day. Its still alive, but no flowers and the stalks can stand up on their own. Does tht mean there is too much water? It has sprouted two more stalks since I've had it, but I feel like something is wrong with it because the stalks are so limp.
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 9/14/2008
Posts: 207
Location: Ankeny, Iowa
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With the limp stalks, it could be just be the type of plant, because some type of plants it is natural for the blooms to weep. If it isn't supposed to hang down, it could be a result of the plant being a young plant it would simply be that the blooms are too heavy for the stock. Either way, the blooms can be supported up with a a stake and a tie or clip to support it to the stake.
Operational Manager at Earl May Nursery and Garden Center in Ames, Iowa Visit my latest website Midwestern Plants
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Rank: Newbie
Joined: 9/15/2008
Posts: 5
Location: Aiken
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I just recently bought some kalanchoes also. Can you tell me more about them? I think I've been watering them too much...the flowers are dying. However, I keep them outside, but in SC the temperatures reach over 95 degrees most of the spring, summer, and even fall. That's why I was watering it everyday, but I just read that they should be allowed to dry out between waterings. is this true?
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 9/14/2008
Posts: 207
Location: Ankeny, Iowa
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Kalanchoes are a succlent, which means that if you are watering them every day you are overwatering them. Succlents, even when they are outside should only be watered every 3-4 days at most. When it is in the 50-60's, only water them once a week. If you don't allow them to dry out like this, it will result in stem rot and will kill the plant. gatorgirl08 wrote:I just recently bought some kalanchoes also. Can you tell me more about them? I think I've been watering them too much...the flowers are dying. However, I keep them outside, but in SC the temperatures reach over 95 degrees most of the spring, summer, and even fall. That's why I was watering it everyday, but I just read that they should be allowed to dry out between waterings. is this true?
Operational Manager at Earl May Nursery and Garden Center in Ames, Iowa Visit my latest website Midwestern Plants
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