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Scheffalera

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From: Charlotte Baldinger
City:
Seward, NE
The scheffalera tree in our library is dripping a sticky sap on the foliage and surrounding surfaces. What can we do about this sticky situation?

 
Extension Message
From: Greg Stack
Extension Educator, Horticulture
University of Illinois Extension
gstack@illinois.edu
Hi,

Often times whe indoor plants start to drip sticky sap (honeydew) on to the plant and surrounding areas it is due to the presence of and insect most likely scale or mealy bug. Scale looks like hard black raised spots on the leaves, stems etc of the plant and mealy bug looks like cotten tufts on the stems and leaf parts. As the insect feeds they give off a sugary substance. They are difficult to control if numerous. Whit your plant I suggest moving it to a spot where it can be treated and about the only thing you could use for interior plants is either and insecticidal soap or a horticultural oil (not dormant oil) such as Sunspray. You would have to spray entire plant thoroughly and then make repeat applications about every 10-14 days. If badly infested it may be better to replace the plant.

 
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