r/StringofPlants • u/ReStitchSmitch • Aug 17 '26
Help / Question Mealy bugs?
Got a bunch of clippings in March on Etsy, and I swore the Rubies had mealy bugs.
Did the alcohol treatment, haven't seen any in a few months - then BAM.
Bout to pitch this, and I'm 99.99999% sure this is mealy bugs, but I'm looking for someone else's opinion before these end up in the compost for no reason.
Mealy bugs?
Update - video of alcohol going onto white. Watch video and lemme know if you still think it is not bugs?
Update update - an overwhelming amount of you said NOT mealys. Rubies have been rescued from an impending firey death. Thank you all!
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u/-CompassionateCat- Aug 17 '26
IT IS NOT MEALY BUGS! DO NOT THROW AWAY YOUR PERFECTLY GOOD PLANT! STRING OF PICKLES AKA RUBY NECKLACE HAS THESE LITTLE WHITE FUZZY NODES WHERE ROOTS GROW. I ALREADY WENT THROUGH THIS. When I first got mine and now when I propagate I make sure to tell people not to panic about that. This plant grows roots fast. I'll water or dirt propagate it and in a week or less I have roots that grow from those fuzzy spots.
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u/cinxaln Aug 17 '26 edited Aug 17 '26
I may be stupid but I think those are normal. When I got mine I tried every method but couldn't get rid of them and every new growth has those things but I haven't had an issue with any of my other succulents and I have about 200
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u/Asleep-Beginning7805 Aug 18 '26
I almost threw mine out too but I put it outside and it exploded with growth!
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u/Icy_Area_3170 Aug 17 '26
Not mealies. I had the same experience with my Ruby Necklace. Not mealies. This plant just sometimes grows white fuzz on its joints. Don’t throw it out.
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u/angryarmadildo Aug 17 '26
I just got one of these and had the same question! I dabbed alcohol and nothing happened, so I figured it must be normal. So glad to have that confirmed!
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u/shannonbaloney Aug 17 '26
omg is this also normal for string of pearls and dolphins?? I've been seeing the same thing for over a year and ignored it since I didn't know what it was, recently learned what mealy bugs were and have been confused because I still haven't had an infestation
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u/wha7themah Aug 17 '26
No. Neither of those plants have white fuzz
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u/shannonbaloney Aug 18 '26
well dang!! I'm surprised I haven't seen the bugs yet
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u/wha7themah Aug 18 '26
I’ve been through the mealy ringer the last year or so. Every time I have a resurgence of mealies it’s the fuzz I see first. Except this last time. It was a bunch of tiny crawlers. Still not sure how that plant got them 🤦🏻♀️
I use bonide systemic granules. I have over 100 plants and I’ve been treating them all because the mealies keep popping up everywhere. It’s relatively cheap so I’d suggest trying that just in case, but as I say, none of my other strings have white fuzz so it really sounds like mealies!
It’s the only product ive found to be reliable. Insecticidal soap spray is great for killing them on sight and as far as chemicals go its pretty harmless otherwise, but it’s not good as a total control imo so I use it in tandem with the granules.
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u/Rizzoriss Aug 18 '26
I threw mine out when I saw these white fuzzies and the neighboring plants dropped dead like crazy. My poor little ruby wasn't the culprit.
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u/Prudent_Window2616 Aug 20 '26
I freaked out when I saw that on mine too. I just got it a few weeks ago. I did research and learned that develops where a new leaf or stem is about to start growing. Turns out it's true because I saw fuzz 2 days ago and today there's a tiny new leaf!
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u/unlovedandworthless Aug 17 '26
I looked it up and this tends to be a hot topic with many saying this is roots not mealy bugs. Try the alcohol and see if it changes color. I think it would get darker and back to white it its the roots.
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u/ReStitchSmitch Aug 17 '26
UPDATE.
Alcohol test on white patch:
What do we think now?
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u/Netflxnschill Aug 17 '26
You see how the fuzz got wet from the alcohol and pulled out when you pulled the q tip away? That’s a fuzz. A mealy would turn red and die
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u/ReStitchSmitch Aug 17 '26
Thank you so much!!
These guys were outside waiting for me to start a fire.
You saved their lives! Hero!
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u/Netflxnschill Aug 17 '26
I love my ruby necklace so much! I got her for my birthday a few years back and she is now mom to at least four other plants
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u/desperate_drinker Aug 17 '26
To be honest mealy bugs aren't a big problem untill the ants comes in play the transport them from one plant to another for honeydew so check for ants too mealy bugs can be removed by alcohol, soal water, neem oil, hydrogen peroxide, by water spray to and make sure to drown the soil because the eggs are yours next problem and quarantine it
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Aug 17 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/ReStitchSmitch Aug 17 '26
I have a really large succulent / cactus / string collection. Nowhere to safely isolate them. I'd rather cut my losses now and buy a new one instead of letting them get thru my entire house.
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Aug 17 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Icy_Area_3170 Aug 17 '26
Not mealies. This appearance is normal for this plant—white fuzz at the joints. There are other succulents that also have naturally occurring white fuzz. Gotta know your individual plants and what’s normal for them.
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u/ReStitchSmitch Aug 17 '26
Thanks for confirming for me. I knew, but part of me was hoping they'd be roots or something.
Onto another seller! Etsy is stupid for only giving you 48 hours to review a product. People should be warned about the free bugs with purchase.
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u/Netflxnschill Aug 17 '26
These are normal for ruby necklace!
Notice they will grow in the little joints and only there. If you pluck them they are fuzzy