need help in eradicating this
Tomato None Given
I have a Better boy tomato plant that was transplanted into a pot on 3/26/16. I don't get 8 hrs. of sun but it has 4 tomatoes I'm waiting out the 75 days to eat. I noticed earlier today a small bunch of white hairs on one spot of leaves ( looked like a dust bunny if you know what I mean; it also looked like the fine hair that came off of my furry cat). Later on I looked again and there were many long, fine hairs blowing in the wind and some areas had small bundles. I took some rubbing alcohol even tho I knew it wasn't spider mites. I tried to bub them off and it was difficult because they wanted to stay on. I put my index finger and thumb together holding the rag and pulled them off. It didn't appear like it was interested in the tomatoes, but were on stems and leaves; even the gizmo that is holding the plant in one place. I appreciate your time and information offered.
Posted
by: Kathleen Darland
(1 point)
Posted: May 31, 2016
Answers
Hi Kathleen, uploading a picture would help... From your description it sounds like mealy bugs. Mealybugs are typically found on the underside of the leaf.
Here is some more information about them :
Mealybugs are common insect pests that tend to live together in clusters in protected parts of plants, such as leaf axils, leaf sheaths, between twining stems and under loose bark. They suck sap from plants and then excrete the excess sugars as a substance called honeydew. This lands on the leaves and stems were it is often colonised by sooty moulds, giving the surfaces a blackened appearance. (https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile...)
If they are in fact mealybug, you can kill them with soapy water (2 tbs of any liquid soap and 1 liter of water) and mechanically remove them, by scraping them off.
I hope this helps, please keep me informed.
Here is some more information about them :
Mealybugs are common insect pests that tend to live together in clusters in protected parts of plants, such as leaf axils, leaf sheaths, between twining stems and under loose bark. They suck sap from plants and then excrete the excess sugars as a substance called honeydew. This lands on the leaves and stems were it is often colonised by sooty moulds, giving the surfaces a blackened appearance. (https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile...)
If they are in fact mealybug, you can kill them with soapy water (2 tbs of any liquid soap and 1 liter of water) and mechanically remove them, by scraping them off.
I hope this helps, please keep me informed.
Posted
by: Megan Wilkerson
(1 point)
Posted: May 31, 2016
Kathleen Darland commented,
Thank you, Megan. I will try that. I will let you know the outcome. almost 8 years ago.
Thank you, Megan. I will try that. I will let you know the outcome. almost 8 years ago.
Kathleen Darland commented,
Hi Megan, I tried the soapy water on the tomato plant. Now that I'm rereading your suggestion I didn't scrape anything off. It seemed to work. I mean the plant is still alive but not producing flowers. The bottom of the plant is brown leafed. I have 7 tomatoes from the plant. I don't get proper sun, so will enjoy the 6 left. This "good boy" tomato plant produced tomatoes tasting tart and delicious. I have the same problem now with my Sago Palm. I grew it from a small plant. As you probably know it's very slow growing. It's beautiful and right now has a new layer of fronds. This is not going to destroy my plant!!!!!!!!!! This time I got some pictures. It's ditto from the last time. I noticed this in the am and probably by the pm this pest will have consumed a lot more of my plant. Please help. I will send you the pictures now. I'm only an amateur with this stuff....hope I'm successful. Best regards, Kathy Darland almost 8 years ago.
Hi Megan, I tried the soapy water on the tomato plant. Now that I'm rereading your suggestion I didn't scrape anything off. It seemed to work. I mean the plant is still alive but not producing flowers. The bottom of the plant is brown leafed. I have 7 tomatoes from the plant. I don't get proper sun, so will enjoy the 6 left. This "good boy" tomato plant produced tomatoes tasting tart and delicious. I have the same problem now with my Sago Palm. I grew it from a small plant. As you probably know it's very slow growing. It's beautiful and right now has a new layer of fronds. This is not going to destroy my plant!!!!!!!!!! This time I got some pictures. It's ditto from the last time. I noticed this in the am and probably by the pm this pest will have consumed a lot more of my plant. Please help. I will send you the pictures now. I'm only an amateur with this stuff....hope I'm successful. Best regards, Kathy Darland almost 8 years ago.
Kathleen Darland commented,
I brought up the pics but can't find a way to send them almost 8 years ago.
I brought up the pics but can't find a way to send them almost 8 years ago.
Dr. Ravishankar Narayana commented,
You can upload the pictures in question itself. When you open the question you will find edit button. Please edit the question and upload images. If you still have problem let us know. Thanks almost 8 years ago.
You can upload the pictures in question itself. When you open the question you will find edit button. Please edit the question and upload images. If you still have problem let us know. Thanks almost 8 years ago.
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