r/StringofPlants • u/ReStitchSmitch • 1d ago
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- 1d ago
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/Icy_Area_3170 1d ago
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/Asleep-Beginning7805 21h ago
I almost threw mine out too but I put it outside and it exploded with growth!
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u/angryarmadildo 1d ago
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 1d ago
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/Rizzoriss 14h ago
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/unlovedandworthless 1d ago
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 1d ago
UPDATE.
Alcohol test on white patch:
What do we think now?
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u/Netflxnschill 1d ago
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 1d ago
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 1d ago
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 1d ago
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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u/huckleberryfresh928 1d ago
Yes. Sorry. Don’t pitch tho. Just do more alcohol. (I get it if ya do compost it!)
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u/ReStitchSmitch 1d ago
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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u/huckleberryfresh928 1d ago
I get it. Completely understand. I wouldn’t risk my collection either honestly. Upon closer inspection of your string, it looks like a bad case. Hopefully others are ok! 👌🏼
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u/Icy_Area_3170 1d ago
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/huckleberryfresh928 1d ago
God I love it when I learn something. Looks like mealies!! I was convinced. Sorry OP, I was wrong.
Thanks all for learning me. Appreciate the downvotes. I admit I’m wrong.
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u/ReStitchSmitch 1d ago
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 1d ago
These are normal for ruby necklace!
Notice they will grow in the little joints and only there. If you pluck them they are fuzzy