International Aroid Society

Hi, Sherry

I don't have scale infestations very often (except on one pesky Anthurium andreanum and my Monstera deliciosa variegata) but they have always responded to the old "dish water" treatment. Fill a bucket with lukewarm water and add just enough original unscented Blue Dawn dishwashing detergent to make the water feel slippery. Put some of the solution in a spray bottle and completely drench all leaf surfaces, petioles, stems, etc., paying special attention to any areas where the smaller scales might hide. The soap in the water breaks up the surface tension and allows the water to move in under the scales and they drown (what a pity, ha ha). After that is done, submerge the pot in the bucket until the entire planting medium is completely saturated (a few minutes). This does quite a number on anything lurking in the pots. I do not rinse the plant, but allow the soap water to dry on the leaves while the pot is draining. This works so well for me that I've started treating all of my "outdoors for the summer" plants the same way. I've noticed a marked decrease in the number of "unauthorized personnel" when I move the plants back into the greenhouse in the Fall. Now if I could only figure out a workable "assembly line" for the procedure. As it is now, it takes me the better part of a week to get all my plants treated and moved inside. It's a good thing I'm retired!

Hope this helps.

Sheldon Hatheway
Canby, Oregon, Zone 7B

From: Sherry Gates <TheTropix@msn.com>
To: AroidSendMessage <aroid-l@gizmoworks.com>
Sent: Saturday, August 29, 2009 11:46:59 AM
Subject: [Aroid-l] scale insect

Hi everyone,

I have encountered a problem I haven't had to deal with.... SCALE insects. This past Spring, we moved from Beaumont, Tx (zone 9) to the Woodville, Tx area (zone 8), about 55 miles north. I've noticed on a couple of plants(Aroids) that scale are getting on them. Affected so far were Anthurium Big Bill and Monstera del (variegated). Just a couple have been slightly infested and I've immediately taken them to the bathtub and removed them by hand. What's the best way to kill them and prevent infestation without harming my plants? I try so hard to use organic methods for insect control & fertilization, but I'm ready to break out the big guns on this, if necessary. I've never had this problem, so I'm kind of at a loss. What's safe for Aroids, but lethal to the little *%$!!!#$!? I'm keeping a sharp eye out for any of the obvious ones, but I'm guessing that I need to treat the soil as well. What's my best bet?

Thanks for any advice, Sherry Gates