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Gardening

Help!

(22 Posts)
Narnia Mon 10-Nov-25 12:08:16

We bought this indor plant for an extension, was £100 so really trying to look after it!
It's developed some white fluffy balls and also seems to be secreting a sticky sap.
We have tried spraying with potassium soap but not really helping. Any advice please x

Narnia Mon 10-Nov-25 12:11:33

This is the plant.
I've just taken it outside to spray again

Allira Mon 10-Nov-25 12:16:04

Is it a weeping fig?
Weeping figs do secrete a white waxy substance.

Or they could be mealy bugs which are more fluffy?

You need to wear rubber gloves if removing them in case they cause skin irritation.

loopyloo Mon 10-Nov-25 12:29:02

I think it could do with a larger pot...

Narnia Mon 10-Nov-25 13:13:51

loopyloo

I think it could do with a larger pot...

This is the pot we got it in, only had it s few weeks x

Squiffy Mon 10-Nov-25 14:06:44

Could it be this?

Wyllow3 Mon 10-Nov-25 14:13:35

It's shouting "help, a larger pot please" to me too, as well as other possibilities.

BlueBelle Mon 10-Nov-25 14:16:00

£100 for a plant !!!wow
Agree with others that’s not nearly enough soil for a plant that size
I hope it stays alive

Allira Mon 10-Nov-25 14:42:35

loopyloo

I think it could do with a larger pot...

That picture hadn't appeared when I was typing out my post, but yes, most definitely it needs a much larger pot.

It has hardly any soil to keep it healthy, so it wouldn't be surprising if it has been infested by a pest.

Allira Mon 10-Nov-25 14:45:48

Good picture, Squiffy

You have to remove them with cotton wool and rubbing alcohol then spray the plant, under the leaves too, with neem oil or insecticidal soap solution. Repeat if more appear.
Wear rubber gloves to avoid skin irritation.

Ziplok Mon 10-Nov-25 18:51:28

Did you buy your plant from a garden centre? If you did, take some pictures of the problem and ask them if they can identify what it is. You could also ask their advice regarding pot size, and whether it should be repotted yet, though I agree with other posters that it will probably benefit from going into a slightly larger pot, and from some feed.

MiniMoon Mon 10-Nov-25 19:06:25

DH says to mix a couple of teaspoons of bicarbonate of soda in a spray bottle of water and spray your plant. He thinks it might help.

MiniMoon Mon 10-Nov-25 19:10:52

The white fuzzy things are mealybugs. They cause yellowing of the leaves and a sticky residue called honeydew. Do as DH says as above or wash with insectidal soap.

Narnia Mon 10-Nov-25 21:33:43

Thanks all bought from a very well known garden centre local to us.
Will maybe send them pics!

Esmay Tue 11-Nov-25 11:37:30

£100 is a lot for a plant .
Have you still got the receipt for a refund if it dies ?
I agree with the others - it needs repotting and some fresh soil would help .
Be careful not to shock the plant by doing it on too cold a day .
When brining it back indoors let it acclimatise in a cool place before returning it to it's normal place .

I've used this old fashioned method on plants for 50 plus years .
I can't fund my original recipe.
I know it Indian tobacco water .
I looked on YouTube but in my opinion the recipes are too strong .
I boil up a cigarette in a big pan of water (your biggest saucepan ) and add a good squirt of washing up liquid .
Cool ,decant into a spray bottle and spray the plant .
Tobacco water seems to be discredited on Google.

Narnia Tue 11-Nov-25 13:48:09

Yes, it was an "investment" for a new extension.
Our sil is a buyer for the garden centre we bought it from so have sent pics to him and hopefully he can get advice x

AuntieE Tue 11-Nov-25 14:06:36

I would go back to wherever I bought the plant and ask their advice.

Either take it with you, or at least some good photos.

CariadAgain Tue 11-Nov-25 14:11:44

Narnia

loopyloo

I think it could do with a larger pot...

This is the pot we got it in, only had it s few weeks x

I agree - larger pot.

Even though it "should" be an okay size pot for it - as it's only recently been sold.

But I've had that too before - ie the seller deliberately selling me a plant in a pot that's too small for it (I assumed it was because they were too lazy to pot it on and/or wanted to make it appear cheaper than it really should have been).

Dreadwitch Tue 11-Nov-25 14:59:20

It looks like a natural secretion, is it only at the base of leaves? If so then it's normal. But as others have said it won't live long unless you repot it asap.

Siptree Tue 11-Nov-25 15:14:00

As others have said mealy bugs. Cotton buds and rubbing alcohol (surgical spirit) dip buds in as soon as you touch bugs they shrivel and die. However if they have laid eggs ( in the crevices of leaf joints etc. You will find more for ages. If you have any other plants nearby, get them into another room. Untill that plant is clear .

NotSpaghetti Tue 11-Nov-25 15:17:41

Narnia

Thanks all bought from a very well known garden centre local to us.
Will maybe send them pics!

Yes.
If it's only been with you a very short time it may be that they should deal with it?
Call them.
£100 is a lot to waste.

MickelCL Sat 15-Nov-25 11:58:50

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