Find Your Ask the Expert: schefflera problem
I have a schefflera plant which I take outside during the spring and summer months. It grows like crazy. Last year i noticed these brownish seed like things on many of the leaves. I cut it way back, and again this year thoughs seed like things are covering a good portion of it. I don’t know if its a bug or disease problem and haven’t been able to find anything that describes this problem. Stephanie
Plant Expert Reply:
Brown Soft Scale
It sounds like you might have an insect called brown soft scale. I found this picture of Brown Soft Scale From University of Florida” Does the brown scale look like the brown seed on your schefflera?
You will need to spray an insectide on your plant to kill these insects. You will need one that is safe to use on houseplants. Your local garden center should have one. You can also try insecticidal soap which can be found at your local garden center.
Jamie,
That looks fine, thanks for crediting UF. Another soft scale that gets on Schefflera is pyriform scale. And if the seed-like objects are on the undersides of the leaves, and especially on the lower leaves, then they may be peridioles of a bird’s nest fungus, which grows on bark or wood mulch.