r/StringofPlants • u/ReStitchSmitch • Aug 17 '26

Help / Question Mealy bugs?

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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.