Artillery plants, with their charming rounded leaves, make for popular houseplants. However, these plants can fall victim to scale infestations. Scales are small sap-sucking insects that attach themselves to stems and leaves. An unchecked scale infestation can stunt growth, cause leaf yellowing, and even kill artillery plants. Getting rid of scales requires persistence, but is possible with the right techniques.
Identifying Scale Infestations
The first step is learning to identify scale insects on your artillery plant. Watch for these signs
- Small bumps on stems and leaves that appear waxy or cottony
- Sticky honeydew secretion on leaves
- Sooty mold growing on honeydew
- Yellowing leaves or stunted growth
Scale insects can range in color from white to brown or black They are often overlooked at first because they move slowly and blend in Careful inspection of leaf undersides reveals them, Catching infestations early makes treatment easier,
Safely Removing Scales from Artillery Plants
When scales are discovered taking prompt action is key. Here are organic safe ways to remove scales and restore plant health
Prune Off Heavily Infested Areas
- Prune off leaves or stems with high scale populations.
- Dispose of infested trimmings in sealed bags to prevent spread.
- This quickly eliminates large numbers of scales.
Use Alcohol to Scrub Off Scales
- Dip a cotton swab in 70% isopropyl alcohol.
- Gently rub scales off leaves and stems.
- Repeat every few days until scales are gone.
Apply Horticultural Oil Coating
- Coat plant with lightweight horticultural oil.
- Suffocates scales and eggs while safe for plants.
- Apply every 1-2 weeks until scale free.
Spray Neem Oil Solution
- Combine neem oil with water per directions.
- Thoroughly spray leaves, stems, and crevices.
- Repeats every 7-10 days for 2-3 weeks.
Use Insecticidal Soap Sprays
- Mix insecticidal soap concentrate with water.
- Spray plant, especially under leaves.
- Reapply every 5-7 days as needed.
Introduce Ladybugs
- Natural predators that feast on scales.
- Release near infested artillery plants.
- May take time to see results.
Preventing Future Scale Outbreaks
Stopping an active scale infestation is only part of the battle. Implement these tactics to avoid repeated scale attacks:
- Check plants routinely for early signs of pests.
- Quarantine new plants before introducing to avoid spreading scales.
- Keep artillery plants healthy with proper light and water. Healthy plants resist pests better.
- Promote airflow by spacing plants, pruning, and using fans.
- Control ant populations since they farm honeydew.
- Use reflective tapes or foils around plants to deter scales.
Be vigilant about monitoring for scales and be prepared to take action at first sight. Consistent treatment accompanied by preventive measures will keep your artillery plants scale-free and thriving. Don’t let these sneaky pests destroy your artillery plant’s spectacular looks!
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Artillery Fungus (Sphaerobolus stellatus)
Homeowners are occasionally puzzled by the appearance of small black spots spattered on cars, the leaves of ornamental plants, siding, downspouts, soffits and windows of their homes. These spots are often mistakenly identified as tar, scale insects, or insect excrement. The dark spots are 1-2mm in diameter and slightly raised to globular. The outer coating of the spot is actually brown and darkens with age. When scraped open, the center is off-white, finely granular, and gummy.
The black spots are masses of mature spores expelled from fruiting bodies of the fungus. This fungus is a relative of the bird’s nest fungus and is commonly called artillery fungus by mycologists. The spherical fruiting body is approximately 2mm in diameter and produces spores internally. When mature, the fruiting body splits open forming a cup-like structure. The round mass of spores, known as the glebal mass, is about 1mm in diameter and rests in liquid at the bottom of the cup.
About 5 hours after opening the glebal mass is catapulted into the air. This discharge mechanism is estimated to generate 1/10,000hp and can throw the mass up to 6 meters. Upon contact, the sticky coating adheres to the mass to any surface it touches. The fruiting body is strongly phototropic and the glebal mass is generally shot towards the strongest source of light. Outside, this will be the sun or highly reflective surfaces such as glass or light colored walls. Some homeowners have even noted lighter colored cars having a higher number of the dark spots when parked next to a dark colored car.
The fungus grows on dung and well-rotted wood such as the wood chips used as foundation bed mulches. It prefers open areas with little shade and sufficient moisture. With sufficient light, the optimum temperature range for the production of fruiting bodies is 10-20 degrees centigrade. Since fruiting bodies are not produced above 78 °F the problem tends to be limited to spring and fall.
Fungicides have not been evaluated for control of this fungus. Yearly additions of fresh wood chips may lessen the problem if all the old mulch is completely covered. Scraping glebal masses from windows and walls may possibly re-infest beds since the spores contained in the glebal mass have been reported to be viable for up to 11 years.
(Modified from an article written by Ann Hazelrigg, Plant Diagnostic Clinic Coordinator, Plant and Soil Science Department, University of Vermont) Artillery fungus growing in mulch Artillery fungus on siding
The COMPLETE Guide to Getting Rid of Scale Insects
FAQ
How do you permanently get rid of scale on plants?
How to treat artillery fungus on plants?
What insecticide kills scale?
How do you get rid of scale on a houseplant?
Andrew Waugh/Getty Images Scale is a blanket term for little sap-sucking insects that can kill your houseplants. If your plant develops scale, the first step is quarantining the plant. Prune any especially infected stems, then use a cotton swab, alcohol, and neem oil to kill pests.
What should I do if my houseplant has scale & pests?
If you notice scale or pests on one of your plants, first separate that plant from any other houseplants so it doesn’t spread. If the climate is suitable for your infected plant, Gutierrez recommends putting the plant outside.
How do you get rid of dead scale?
STEP 4: Gently wipe off dead scale insects using a soft, damp cloth. Some plant owners may choose to wash off their plant in the sink. If you’re concerned about overwatering your plants as you wash off the dead scale, another effective method is using a damp microfiber cloth.
Where is scale on a houseplant?
Typically, houseplant scale tends to be on the stems, leaf joints, and leaf veins of a plant, but they can be found all over. STEP 2: Prune off parts of the plant infested with scale insects. If you suspect your plant is infested, quarantine the plant to prevent scale from spreading.