Root Mealybug Treatment Gone VERY Wrong | Root Mealybugs On Hoyas

Hello friends!
Today I wanted to share with you something that has been an ongoing plant challenge in the past couple of months - root mealybugs. Yup! Again! 🥲
I think the main culprits are the mealybugs we found in Hoya subquintuplinervis, but this time they spread to my dear and precious Hoya undulata! How dare they?! 😡
I think I got rid of all of them, but I will still have to keep a very close eye on my hoyas because…You never know!
I wanted to share my experience in hopes it can help you if you go through something like this and so you’d know what to do.
I hope you are having a great weekend and see you very soon with a lighter topic! 💚
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CHAPTERS:
00:00 Silly Intro
1:08 How Did I Discover Root Mealybugs?
2:06 How Did I Get Root Mealybugs & What Did I Do Wrong?
7:40 What Are Root Mealybugs?
8:40 Treatment Options
9:01 Cut Your Losses
9:37 Root The Plant Again
11:54 Hot Water Treatment
13:00 Hydrogen Peroxide Drench
13:30 Neem Oil Drench
14:13 Systemic Insecticide
14:48 Which Treatment Did I Choose?
15:48 What Went Wrong?
17:28 Dishwashing Detergent vs Soap - Word of Caution
24:43 Positive Examples
27:51 Outro & Final Thoughts
29:47 Patreon Shoutout
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You can find me here:
Instagram: / basie.plants
Facebook: / base.plants
Twitter: / basieplants
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Do you want to support the channel? Here is my Patreon page:
PATREON: / basieplants
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The photos used in this video are mine. Some photos are also taken from the Internet.
Credits:
Karolina - Instagram: @frihetienask
Root Mealybug Photos:
1. plantcaretoday...
2. plantcaretoday...
Filler photos:
1. Pot with water:
www.seriouseat...
2. Hydrogen Peroxide:
target.scene7....
3. Neem Drench:
plantcaretoday...
4. Systemic Insecticide:
5.imimg.com/da...
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Things To Read:
MORE ABOUT ROOT MEALYBUGS!
link.springer....
HOT WATER TREATMENT:
ucnfanews.ucanr...
DISHWASHING DETERGENT VS SOAP:
homeguides.sfg...
www.gardenmyth...
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Music:
I use Epidemic sound.
www.epidemicso...
#hoyapests #rootmealybugs #pesttreatment

[@BasiePlants]

I couldn't help but wonder. Could you? 😂

[@amandaflannery6526]

I was laughing so hard, thank you 💖

[@ellagracebell]

When I tell you I LOL’d

[@jessicadaimee3018]

Yes for the vidéo 🙂

[@ehrrinkeenan]

Ugh, I'm sorry you had to deal with root mealybugs, but I'm really glad that you made this video. I discovered root mealies and thrips a couple of weeks ago. I've never dealt with either before. I think it took me so long to realize it because I was seeing regular mealies, and I was just treating with alcohol/qtip. But a bunch of them weren't growing. I chalked it up to winter. And then a couple started dropping leaves. And then I discovered the root mealies. I immediately flashed back to my watering style (letting water run through pots onto other plants below them) with HORROR. I'm currently rerooting around 80 hoyas, and I still have so many plants to check. I'm finding the root mealies in about half my hoyas. I tried the hot water thing but couldn't keep the temperature up. Now I'm using alcohol, Captain Jack's, chopping & propping, and rerooting in a fresh mix with systemic granules (I didn't want to use this, but I'm just dying & worried about them coming back. I'm also watering with a natural systemic that uses rosemary oil. Root mealies are the worst pest. I feel so demoralized. And I have lost a couple small plants already. Is my treatment worse than the pests?! I don't know, but I am freaking sad about it. I have a couple big hoyas with peduncles, and I'm torn what to do. Your advice to chill out about feeling that I need to do everything RIGHT NOW helped. Hopefully, watering with the rosemary oil stuff will keep the infestation from spreading while I work through them.

[@Plantventure]

The problem with neem oil is that people use it wrong. Probably because of the instructions on the labels. Spraying it over the plant is a waste of time and the oil. It must be added to the irrigation water! And needs to be used systematically - every watering in the beginning then every other month. Consistency is key. I have a huge rare tropical collection since over 7 years now and can't imagine having to treat every single one. Please shoot me! 😅 Thank God I found neem after using chemicals that are so dangerous. For over 6 years - no pests at all, and here is full with thrips, scales and aphids, it was a nightmare. BTW, I love your videos and personality! Keep being so cool. ❤ Wishing you a lot of success and happiness in the new year! Take care. 😊💕✌️

[@kimimartin3419]

I mix in diatomaceous earth into potting mediums - it works when the medium is DRY so do it when medium is dry and wait a bit to water. It helps so much.

Thank you for this video, Miro! I know you want us to learn from your experience, but you sure also made some of us feel less alone in this. I'm going through the same thing and just decided to cut off all of the roots and start over, I'm feeling pretty sad, but at least I have a plan, I guess. I hope your plants recover soon and go back to being gorgeous again 💖

[@BasiePlants]

They did recover well :) But sadly I have root mealies again, so I will try several different solutions this time around and make a video on it :) Good luck fighting the root mealies!

@@BasiePlants godd luck to you too!

[@Aquamarine.Aubrey]

Thank you so much for this cautionary tale! This has been a great tool! And you are always entertaining ❤️

[@karenpowell4626]

You can use a sous vide to keep water at a specific temperature for any length of time. Sous vide is also great for cooking or keeping foods at a specific temperature.

[@sherrykumar2883]

I’m so sorry you’ve had to deal with those dang root mealies again :( Thank you for this video however, I learned quite a bit. Most surprising was the detergent/soap info. I have recently discovered thrips in my collection and have been using an alcohol and detergent mix as one of the treatments 😳 Thankfully I’ve not damaged any foliage. Good luck with your pest issue Miro. I hope you’ve conquered those nasty buggers 🤞

[@nubbyrose87]

I didn’t know the difference between soap and detergent. I’ve been using Dr. Bonner’s Castile soap. I’ve checked the ingredients and its a soap. Castile soap lists potassium hydroxide as an ingredient along with some oils. Your video is very helpful. Edit: I’d like to hear about you favorite hoya foliage.

[@TheLucille7]

Oh boy, what an ordeal! Thanks for sharing and good luck ✌️❤️

[@BasiePlants]

Thank you! I think they are mostly gone. Hopefully xD

[@elliadams]

At 11:50 in this video, the hot water treatment really caught my attention because; I intentionally bought a 6" pot of maranta a couple weeks ago, that had a REAL bad mealybug infestation. Im a nerd, not an expert & I had never seen mealies in person before and I felt compelled to experiment. Judge all you want...I brought the plant home and put it outside, on my porch in a shady spot. Then the Pacific north west of the USA (A place where it is almost never hot, and is NEVER dry - Rains 9 months out of the year) got hit with that hellsish heat bubble where it was 100-116f for over a week. For perspective, where I live the ambient temp in summer is 80-90f & the humidity is generally 50-60% this time of year. It also still gets cool at night (60-70f ish). That week the humidity dropped to 13% for almost 10 days and it did not cool off at night *at all* it was... not fun. Much of my veggie garden got roasted. This plant was totally fine, I checked on it & watered it daily, but when the heat subsided and I finally had a chance to look at it & treat it outside... ALL the mealybugs were TOAST. It was like a tiny bug Pompeii. No living bugs on the leaves, none alive that I could see in the soil. All their lil carcasses & evidence of their lives were still there but the bugs were *fried*. I still took the plant out of the soil, washed the whole thing in a solution of castile soap and neem (with Azadirachtin, which is the chemical compound naturally in neem oil that is actually toxic to the bugs) and put it in a new pot with fresh soil... but now Im even more fascinated. I kind of wish Id just left it as it was to see if any of the eggs were able to survive. Its been in my quarantine zone for almost 2 weeks now with no signs of bugs, just a little shock (temp shift + root disturbance & new soil I think). Does anyone here have any experience similar to this?

[@NerdyKathi]

I want a butterfly infestation too! And thank you for a valuable lesson to always take advice with a pinch of salt. Who would have thought plants would react so badly to dishwasher detergent.

[@whatwhat8097]

I have damaged and sometimes killed so many plants with detergent when I first started caring for plants. 🤦‍♀️ I've had the best luck using systemic, or spinosad to treat most pests.

[@BasiePlants]

Spinosad is fantastic! I am not sure if it would work on root mealies but I am surprised there aren't more people out there talking about the dishwashing detergent! I hear many people recommend it and I had a good run with it for couple of years but apparently it can still go wrong.

[@yeahivekilledthat719]

I think you are spot on with the soap/detergent observation. So many sources state to use a drop of dishwashing liquid without explaining the risk of damaging plants using the wrong kind of liquid. Thanks for revealing that.

[@BasiePlants]

Right?! I thought it was 100% safe as long as you use a drop of it or so. I was obviously wrong. 😂

[@nanabethscreations725]

I use Castile soap when I soak and a Drop of peppermint oil in the water. Works well when I first started out. Now I just spray any pests with full strength Rubbing Alcohol. It drys so fast it does not harm the leaves then wipe off the dead pests.

[@BasiePlants]

Yes, Castille soap is true soap, unlike dishwashing 'soap' that is actually a detergent, so it is safe to use :)

[@DDPizazz]

Also I am not sure how to tell the difference between the white chunks that come in potting soil to keep it moist versus what the mealy bug root infestation looks like. If you could talk about how to recognize the difference that would be great.

[@MsChristinaLS]

I’ve had root mealies very recently. they hide really well in coco husk! I’ve had luck (so far) with soaking the roots and potting medium in Captain Jacks and using systemic granules. I haven’t had much luck with hydrogen peroxide.

[@BasiePlants]

Sadly we don't have Captain Jack's, but we do have spinosad. I wonder if that works.

[@elliadams]

@@BasiePlants Ive had real good luck with spinosad products as a preventative. Havent tried it during an active infestation yet though.

[@DDPizazz]

Informative and funny I enjoyed listening to you and appreciated the jump links. I found these route merely bugs all over my weaning tomato plants in their soil which are growing in a container on my deck. I washed my harvested tomatoes but I believe after listening to this that I should throw the plants out being that it is now October and also throw out the soil and start over next growing season. I’m still not quite sure the difference between soap and detergent but will read more. I like your channel. Glad to have discovered you. You are easy to understand.

[@Kim-cv5ks]

I've never experienced root mealy bugs before. But I will certainly pay more attention to checking the roots on my plants from now on.🙃 Also, I'd love to see the favorite foliage on Hoyas video!

[@BasiePlants]

I hope you never do! Trust me, you are not missing out on a great experience here 😂

[@elsaortiz7589]

I have used the Dr Bronners peppermint soap with good results. Of course very diluted, I use a minimal amount of it in a spray bottle and I spray on plants to get rid of pesty mealy bugs. Thanks for this excellent video. I always make sure to place plants away from sunlight when using any sprays. It is not the end it all. Constantly keeping my eye on those pest is my mission.

[@debbibowen]

To keep hot water at a stable temp, could you use a vacuum bottle (thermos), like what you use to keep coffee or soup hot?

[@angelawilkes9951]

You could use a sous vide to keep your water a constant temperature.They're used for cooking but I don't see why it wouldn't work. I have recently discovered mealies on 6 of my hoyas and I had a melt down. I'm hoping that I got them all.

[@janwillard6708]

Just found you today. I’ve had plants since the 1970’s and never had root mealy bugs, so was curious about them. Thanks so much for a very informative video, including the mistake with dish soap. And the EXCELLENT advice about internet “advice”. Now I’m a subscriber. 🪴❤️

[@BasiePlants]

You are so lucky! I definitely didn't want them 😂I think using actual soap or insecticidal soap would be best. Thank you for subscribing 💚

[@stachelleoverland2188]

I am so sorry to hear about your RMB issue. You rock as a plant DAD!!!!

[@BasiePlants]

Luckily, all the hoyas are well :D

[@ElenasGreenPlanet]

Sorry you had to deal with such a horrible infestation. It’s absolutely devastating. I just recently had to deal with infestation of Thrips and just like you spend whole day working on it. That was absolutely horrible situation. I can only imagine how much worse Root Mealybugs are . On another note, happy that you were able to save your Hoyas. Thank you for sharing your experience.

[@BasiePlants]

I am sorry you had to deal with thrips! They are awful as well. I hope you saved your plants too!

[@ElenasGreenPlanet]

@@BasiePlants I did! Hard work pays off! 😊

[@rachaelnugent]

Oh NO! Congrats on the detective work though, Carrie Bradshaw has nothing on Miro. Fingers cross you got them all!

[@BasiePlants]

Honestly, I had no idea I said the sentence before in such a way that it sounds like Carrie. 😂 I had to make fun of myself, it was too good of an opportunity. Hopefully I did get them all!

[@vinymathew5009]

Thank you for this video. I learned a lot. I do that too , follow internrt advice blindly. Didnt have a tragic result yet. Dont share water...i never knew that. Thankyou thankyou..your video is fun and informative.

[@BasiePlants]

Not sharing water is something I picked up from orchid community as orchid viruses can be quite common. Definitely something to avoid! I am glad you didn't have any catastrophic outcomes! That's the best :D

[@sheilacasper2030]

Oh Miro, so sorry for your experience. Your beautiful hoyas. I hope those pesky bugs are gone. I love all your videos and I would love one on hoya leaves.

[@BasiePlants]

They are mostly okay. Yes, some looks a bit less pretty, but they are alive! Tough plants :) Thank you 💚 I think that would be an interesting video!

[@orquideasehistoriasdefrega8742]

Just a quick hi to let you know I really enjoy your videos . I enjoy your transparency and dry humor.♥️ By the way whatever you are doing keep it up, you are looking very handsome and healthy!

[@wanderers5641]

Your video made me think to check my hoyas- and sure enough, root mealies 😥😥😥 ESPECIALLY in the hoyas rooted in chunks of bark. They probably would not have spread but I put my hoyas on trays when I water, and they are also on trays in the grow tent. Well, they WERE on trays. Now Im treating and repotting ALL 80 hoyas in my grow tent. Im taking my time but omg, its so much. Lessons learned. Thank you Miro for your timely video. So helpful

[@BasiePlants]

Oh no! I am so sorry to hear that! It seems that this is the year of root mealybugs. It seems that every year there is one pest that a lot of us have. Couple of years ago, everyone had thrips. This year, root mealybugs. I bet next year it is ladybugs and butterflies 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻 I hope you get rid of them FAST! 💚

[@wanderers5641]

@@BasiePlants Yes to all of the ladybugs and butterflies!! 🙏 And thank you!

[@charissecarrigan2945]

I know this video is over 2 years old, but I had my first run-in with mealybugs this past month (never before this). Found about 8-10 on my new Hoya Krohniana last month. I didn't find any on the couple of plants on either side, but the leaves were not touching (I hope). To shorten my long story...if there are mealybugs on leaves or stems; is it inevitable that you have root mealies also? I repotted (all new aeriated substrate) and was checking roots. I kept checking pieces of perlite. I was told the only sure way to know if it was perlite or mealies, was to use a swab with alcohol and if it immediately turned brown & came off on swab, it was a mealy. If it remained white...I was told to squish it with my fingers. If it crunched into powder (it was perlite) if it popped and squished in my fingers (it mealy). That method worked on the ones I found above ground...but still found no root mealies underground. Am I crazy? Is that only wishful thinking? Or could I have caught them in time. I keep examining my 20 little hoyas and have found no more. Every other watering, I spray and wipe down plants with insecticidal soap (home made/ but proven its worth with spidermites! Castile soap, water, alcohol and peroxide carefully measured out). After plants are wiped and watered down, I spray lightly with neem oil mixture (just as a preventative--yes, it smells like garlic for a few minutes). All of that to really just ask...can you have a few mealy bugs with NO root mealies? I've had no evidence of anything else yet.

[@eviefriend3976]

Thank you Miro I get so much anxiety! Dealing with mealies right now and decided to use systemics. My plants have their own room and I use a respirator, safety glasses and gloves when I spread the pesticide. Have you tried beneficial insects? I just can’t have more bugs in the house.

[@Dwynfal]

Ohhhhh so sorry you, and your hoyas, went through this! I've only dealt with root mealybugs with some of my succulents and I just soaked the root ball in pure isopropyl alcohol for about 10 minutes. Re-treat 2-3 weeks later. My succulents came through this fine but it may be too harsh for other plants..

[@BasiePlants]

I am not sure how hoya roots would react to this as alcohol dries things out. But it could work! I am glad to hear your succulents are fine :)

[@Dwynfal]

@@BasiePlants Hopefully I will never face that problem with my hoyas, but assuming I have enough stems to take cuttings if things go wrong then I would try it... making sure I gave it a good long drink after! 😊

[@sherryporsch9349]

So sorry your going through this, bummer. Ugh I hate pests. I hope all of your Hoyas recover an grow. 💚😀

[@BasiePlants]

It's fine, I have gone through it and now they are mostly recovering :)

[@sherryporsch9349]

@@BasiePlants Yay!! 😀

[@joycefleming4986]

So glad none of your Hoyas died. Must have been so disheartening though.

[@BasiePlants]

They are all fine! Yes, it was a bit sad, but I am glad they are okay. Proves how tough they are! :D

[@brendagale9332]

Thanks for sharing. My own experience with root mealy bugs was horrific. I hope to never experience it again! I spread the bugs using a water meter without cleaning it between each plant. Hard lesson to learn. Yes please a video on your favorite Hoyas!

[@BasiePlants]

Oh I am sorry you had to deal with them as well! They are awful, I agree!

[@jaimeadams5034]

You could use a sous vide cooker to maintain the 110 degree temperature. I think it’s recommended 12 minutes. Just do the roots as it may cook the leaves

[@laicarkaninmiliel7777]

Oh my, I once bought a hoya with root mealies, it was in a bad mix so I repotted it straight after bringing it home, I was lucky to find them. Hab it been in a good mix I wouldn't have known 🙈 I washed the roots off, sprayed with hydrogen peroxide and potted it up, haven't looked at the roots since, but now I can't help but wonder... 😂 Plant looks great though and it was a long time ago, so I guess I was lucky? 🍀💚 I didn't know they could be so bad 🙈

[@BasiePlants]

If the plant looks great I assume the root mealies are gone :) I imagine it would show some signs by now. You could check, but if it's been a while, I am sure they are all dead. :D

[@laicarkaninmiliel7777]

@@BasiePlants I hope so 😂💚

[@charissecarrigan2945]

OH! I had never heard about NOT sharing water before this. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU! It makes so much sense, and yet that's what I've done until today. 😉🤗🪴

[@omaam1005]

Hi and thank you for your plant perspectives in your videos. I find the root problem of Mealy Bugs is too much wetness of plants. To me whether root or leaf. Don't even care if root mealy's have their own category, they are sucking the life out of plants. I haven't had any mealy bugs whether leaf or root. I have a habit of keeping my plants way more to the drier side. I use spray bottle to water my small plants ,only water the soil, and a plastic measuring cup to water my 5 or 6 inch or larger plants. And I have my plants near wide open windows especially in warm weather. I'm here in Brooklyn, NY. Now as for Neem, I use the plant itself and make an infusion. That is I make a strong Tea and when I get a NEW plant I drown the soil with the Neem tea. Then dump the rest when plant has sat for enough time in a tray. I do also use it should I have bug problems. I haven't had any bug or disease problems for a serious long time but I keep my plants that are on top of each other because I have a lot in my small apartment, and buying more, just bought my secong Bear Paw, around a lot of air. My windows have screening. "ONLY PLANTS" uses natural soap that he makes and he tends to remove his plants from its medium and wash the plant from leaf to root. This is a method should I need to I would use. I don't have to make my soap but I can use Doctor Bonner's natural soap. There are a few different kinds under this Brand. My suggestion is keep down dust around plants. And keep water under control around plants especially when they are grouped together. You can use a watering can with a very narrow nozzle and water your plants neater in the soil that way. That's my peice. Have a blessed one! JOHN 3:16-18.

[@amandaflannery6526]

You’re the best 🤣 thank you for the information and all your hard work!

[@PhoenixFyreRising]

Have you ever used "Pure Castile" soap. It is all natural. You can buy it pure, or with Lavender or Peppermint which is what I use.

[@bernadettelopez7225]

you have 500 hoyas?!?!?😍 wowowowowowowow!!!❤️❤️❤️ by the way thank you for this video, this made me feel better🙏🏻

[@BasiePlants]

No! I don't :D I have only 110-120. But if I were to cut all of them in 3-4 cuttings (or more) to root them again, I would have 500 cuttings for sure! That is what I meant :)

[@bernadettelopez7225]

@@BasiePlants that is still a lot!🥰 by the way, i learned something today that hoya stems can also rot, this happened to my Variegated Hoya Obovata, the whole stem rotted even the leaves but the roots are super healthy. I guess it is because of my habit of watering the whole plant including the stems and leaves. do you also water the leaves and stems? and you think that was the reason of stem rot?

[@martineichner7161]

Very much YES to the Hoya foliage video please :) Just a heads up concerning semi-hydro. I know you (used to?) have some of your Hoyas in bark + moss. I've had good success with that combo in self-watering pots. Might be an easy way for you to transition them as well.

[@BasiePlants]

I am liking the idea of Hoya foliage video more and more 😂 That mix is great (moss and bark). The only issue for me is that moss is such a pain in the butt to get for me, I have to ask someone going abroad to get it for me and I would rather not 😂 People do resell it here (brought over from abroad) but they except you to pay 6-7x more.

[@yaindyroque12]

Aww. I hope they bounce back quickly. Also that favorite Hoya foliage, yes please 😚

[@BasiePlants]

They are already bouncing back :)

[@l.beukema8570]

So relatable, thank you for sharing. I have the best results using a systemic insecticide. I clean the roots as well as possible and then soak them in the systemic. Mine works for about 3 weeks from the inside, so should there be surviving mealies, when they start biting the roots they will (hopefully) die after all. Still it is a pain and I never like having to disturb and stress my Hoya's so much. I hope yours will all pull through and I say yes to butterfly infestation! 👍👌💚

[@meganpahl3612]

I have some advice for you and I pray that it is helpful. Peroxide should only be used to do things like aerate the soil, treat root rot, and even use in between waterings as a topical treatment for the leaves and top layer of soil. It is an excellent antisceptic and will protect all plants from bacteria! However, for treatment of root mealy bugs, you need to use the following: two teaspoons of baking soda(not powder), two parts water and one part alcohol. Use this to soak any set of roots for at least five minutes then wash off and do again. It is even safe to pour this solution through your new soil. The most important part of this mix though is a few drops of dawn dish soap. Mealy bugs have that protective coating(the web-like wax) and it cannot be broken unless by the alcohol. This is why they are hard to kill. Once the alcohol breaks the bonds in their armor, THEN, the dish soap drowns them=Dead little bastards! They LOVE hoyas so isolate for at least two weeks and treat the soil ofALL surrounding plants. Don't wait to see if they start showing signs. I hope this helps. I just had to treat an extremely large and full wandering jew and I can promise you, this helps. Lastly, after you have done this and you are isolating while watching and praying they stay away,. mix dawn drops with neem concentrate and water. After you water, water with this too! Once again, this will prevent them from coming back if you missed an egg. the dish soap here is to emulsify the neem or it will separate. Add the baking soda to the neem mix too

[@charissecarrigan2945]

Dawn dish "soap" is actually a dish washing DETERGENT. (exactly what was advised NOT to use). I don't know of Dr. Bonner's soaps are available where you live, but they are good SOAPS.

[@MarigoldsintheGarden]

Many of my leaves burned from dishwashing detergent. Pure soap powder is the best, mixed with oil to suffocate the horrid root and leaf mealybugs.

[@forgemaster12]

Now I see how my hibiscus plant and citronella plan got this tiny bastards! I brought a coconut husk to my house to use it as a bird nest (didn’t worked out) the thing was hanging on top of my plants and it started to rot and it oozed on top of them. I used detergent, tabaco, hydrogen peroxide, insecticide and nothing worked. What seems to be working is the hot water method. I boil water and let it cool to the point where I can dip my fingers without burning them and I water my plants. I do this every third time I need to water them. I’m keeping a close eye, the infestation was so bad there where colonies on the edges of the pot and some of this little huggers where crawling on the soil. Isolationist the infected plants is the best option to control it.

[@thereisacatonmylap]

Oh no, I just did this and absentmindedly used dish soap instead of my Dr. Bronner’s soap. I am fighting mealies too. I purchased some lacewings to see if they can handle it and I hope it works! I can’t stop thinking about them either. 😣

[@BasiePlants]

I hope your dishwashing detergent didn't burn your leaves! Ugh I hate myself when I don't think 😂 I hope you can get rid of them too! Yes, my brain obsesses a lot 😂

[@clarebeelman9691]

I recently sprayed two plants (Selenicereus chrysocardium and Pepperomia 'Hope') with an insecticidal soap. I rinsed the soap from my fishtail cactus, but left the soap on my 'Hope because I didn't want to hand dry every leaf to avoid the ugly hard water stains. Spoiler: the newer leaves on my 'Hope' showed some burning while the fishtail cactus, even the very newest, soft growth, was just fine. This soap lists the only active ingredient to be a "potassium salt of fatty acids" (at a 1% concentration). The soap is supposed to kill insects upon contact. Because it irritates my skin soon after exposure and because the active ingredient is fatty acid-based, I'm guessing that this soap extracts lipids from cell membranes and thus kills most any soft-bodied insect. I'm further guessing that this soap can burn leaves with thinner cuticles with longer exposure. The soap label makes a point that it can damage leaves (of outdoor plants) if applied on a sunny day. So, I'm even further guessing that heat and sunlight increase the likelihood of leaves getting burnt. So...my long-winded advice is to rinse leaves after exposing them to this type of soap.

[@BasiePlants]

I never tried true insecticidal soap, and I did rinse my leaves. Also, they were not in any sunglight whatsoever, but I am pretty sure what happened to you is what happened here. Dishwashing detergent broke down some protective layers, penetrated the leaves via stomata and killed off cells. :/

[@williammalone8097]

Great video! I had a multiflora that was getting yellow leaves. It happened slowly over several months time. I was thinking it was getting too much light since some of my other plants were bleaching out too. The other day I removed it from the pot and heard a bunch of screaming "Hey! What are you doing? Turn that sun off!" Yep, root mealies. I chopped up the plant and am now propagating a few nodes. Bummer because it was a prolific flowerer. Anyway, what commercial products, if any, could you recommend for a treatment in the future? Thanks again for the video and I've watched it several times of the last few months and each time I learn a little more. Stay well and all the best to you....

[@lovetheleaves2589]

What an ordeal. I'm dealing with them too😩 Thanks for sharing your experiences. I hope they'll stay away 🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋

[@BasiePlants]

Oh no! Sorry to hear that. What treatment did you opt for? I hope they stay away too! *summoning the butterflies* 🦋

[@lovetheleaves2589]

@@BasiePlants I thought I had it covered, but after watching you I thought, let's check the linearis that was in the neighbourhood... I now have only linearis cuttings, threw the whole rootball out. I'm currently cleaning the sill area out with alcohol/dishsoap mix and checking all the plants. Before I let the bare roots bath in a hydrogen peroxide and water mixture. I'm going to check that plant again now. I'm not so cocky about my first approach anymore🙈

[@justmejo9008]

You can use Alum.. yes the spice, for soaking plants for pests. Look up some videos and articles for yourself as I forget the ratios

[@BasiePlants]

I didn't hear about that! Thanks!

[@Alexandra-nt6lx]

I had the exact same scenario happen, I never knew about root mealies until I had an infestation in my grow tent 😥 Its an ongoing battle!

[@BasiePlants]

Sorry to hear that! We need to cancel root mealybugs!

[@nancyremy2067]

I was thinking a hot plate or a griddle (like a pancake griddle) with the temperature dial to 110 or how hot you need it to maintain that temperature and put your pot on that.

[@DanielleBallou]

@@nancyremy2067 that’s a great idea! Maybe get that or a slow cooker from a second hand/thrift store (or whatever they’re called where you live 😁)!

[@LukeAntunes]

Maybe you can use a crock pot to keep the temperature stable? Idk if they go down that low, but just a thought! They also maybe a sous vide wand thing that you can submerge into water to keep a consistent temperature

[@BasiePlants]

I might give it a go! First I need to get one. Or pray I never have root mealybugs again!

[@colleenhatton1161]

So sorry you had to go through all that. What a nightmare.

[@BasiePlants]

It's fine :) They are all okay now :D

[@carolsmith7951]

I'm so sorry for the struggles, oh me oh my. I do hope things improve from here but it must be a disappointing set back.

[@vintageelements710]

I used water alcohol and a drop of dishwashing liquid in a soak and yes my hoyas are affected more than other plants. Maybe just alcohol and water on a cotton ball

[@BasiePlants]

Oh :( sorry to hear that! Yeah, I am definitely going to stay away from dishwashing detergents.

[@LindaEnfield]

That is so heartbreaking 😢 hope they all make a good recovery and the nasty critters have been sent packing. You would probably scream 😱 if you knew what I do with my plants 🪴 I do not like soil so I clean it all off, then drench the plant in SB Invigorator followed by another drench in my peppermint Castile soap, neem oil and peppermint essential oil solution. I then let the plant calm down for a day or so in a container of water, finally potting in pon. Everything I have is in Lechuza pon. Once a month they get flushed and sprayed with SB Invigorator and my peppermint solution. So far I haven’t lost a plant and they all seem pretty happy (🤞)

[@LindaEnfield]

Did you consider using diatomaceous earth in your mix. In the old days when I used soil and had fungus gnats I used it, pretty nasty stuff to bugs as it is like rolling around in broken glass that shreds them to bits and dries their bodies till they die a very painful death. The DE needs to be food grade (yes it can be consumed), you need to wear a mask as it’s not good for your lungs.

[@BasiePlants]

Oh I wouldn't scream at all xD I am sometimes more rough with them to 😂

[@BasiePlants]

I used it before but it is only effective before you water. After that, not so much. I didn't like it all too much and it didn't help me with fungus gnats. A lot of them are in leca now, so I don't think it would work.

[@LindaEnfield]

@@BasiePlants true... once it’s wet it’s no use. Never used leca, if I ever fall out of love with pon I may give it a go. Hope the Hoyas are feeling better x

[@jelenalescova9479]

I had root mealy bugs last year and it took me 8, 9 months to get rid of them fully, and I have them again in my hoyas 🙄read lot about them and they can live for years in the nests they make in root ball.I used hydrogen peroxide, Aktara insecticide, oh I use a lot but best I think Orthine r Milbekok after 3 rd treatment mealy bugs and root mealys die. All the best and I hope you get rid off them for good.

[@BasiePlants]

Sadly, they are persistant! Best to cut the roots off and start the plant over. Or at least, that is what most people say.

[@vannee2426]

Omg I love this guy!!! Hahaha I couldn’t help but wonder?

[@BasiePlants]

hahaha 😂 When I said that my brain went straight to SJP 😂

[@SemihydroponicswithSma]

I had root mealybugs in leca. I just spray the roots with hydrogen peroxide 3% or isopropyl alcohol , depends what I had in that moment, and they were gone. Also I spray the leca. It worked fine for me so far, but I grow everything in leca so I don't know if it will work as well for other media setups...

[@BasiePlants]

Yup, totally possible to have them in leca! I have to admit, removing leca from the roots was much easier than removing potting mix from the roots too. One more plus for leca and SH.

[@SemihydroponicswithSma]

@@BasiePlants I didn't removed the leca. Just sprayed everything and put the plant back and everything was alright 🤗

[@1210lisa1]

Yes, I agree! I prefer to talk about butterflies too! I lost a lot of plant babies to thrips recently 😢 They won’t go away. I’d rather have butterflies or even annoying fungus gnats 😂

[@BasiePlants]

Oh I am so sorry to hear that! I lost a big Monstera deliciosa (variegated) to thrips in 2019. After that, I used spinosad when I had them again and it worked well!

[@lararosevelt545]

I use bonide granules or azamax. I could never go through all that much work.

[@BasiePlants]

Yeah, it took me a week or more 😂

[@MiscellaneousMichelle]

Very informative video

[@alona270]

Oh boy oh boy when they want the bugs are soooo fast hahahah…I need to treat my plants ASAP they’re under attack too :(

[@BasiePlants]

They can be very fast indeed! Take your time though, don't be stupid like me 😂 There is time to deal with it, remember, we are better than mother nature 💚😂

[@mwoods4608]

Do you find them more prevalent in one type of substrate versus another?

[@jeeii]

In your country are you able to buy Azamax? It’s truly amazing! I know in Canada they can’t get it but in the USA we are able to use it. It’s truly amazing! I use to drench my soil and on the leaves

[@marysilver4937]

Do the favorite Hoya foliage video. I am interested.

[@minhja4924]

By the way it is fairly easy to make your own soap think. You just need to buy the ingredient, check KZbin or get a boom from library and you all set. I work with a guy in library and his partner makes soap all the time to use and giving away as present. She said just buy the ingredients online

[@BasiePlants]

Yes! It is fairly easy. I did consider it for a moment, but I think there are already hand made options at the market here.

[@cjredMX]

Only option is drench with malathion and drench with systemic imidacloprid. Works all the time. Organic solutions wont work with root mealies and root aphids

[@minhja4924]

❤️❤️❤️ mYes please do a favourite Hoya foliage video. I wonder if u just treat them with systemic pesticide by watering and it would kill whatever in the soil instead of drastic measure of chopping and changing soil etc etc… seem to me house plant people go to such extreme when it comes to dealing with pest. Just imaging if u have mealy bugs in your garden, you can really change the soil of your entire garden. If you have mealy bugs on your vineyard you can’t possible wipe down all the trees etc etc. The whole process of changing soil, soaking all roots etc etc doesn’t seem to make a lot of sense to me. Anyway, I could be totally wrong hehehe

[@BasiePlants]

Well, the issue with systemic for me is that you are not supposed to spend x amount of time in that area. It warries from one systemic to another, but in my case, all these plants are in my room where I sleep and that is the only place where they can be. So I use it only as a last option.

[@minhja4924]

@@BasiePlants ok good luck . Sounds really stressful. I recall from your previous video of root mealy bugs from Asian import.

[@minhja4924]

@@BasiePlants yeh roots mealy seem to be huge problem. I wouldn’t known all my Hoyas are in terracotta pots.

[@mardhatinajwa3589]

Root mealy bugs is horrible.. i soak with 3% hydrogen peroxide and use systemic granules to kill remaining egg/bugs. I try to avoid using systemic granules except for bad root mealy bugs. 😞 i did clean my root with dish washer before but never soaked .. Luckily i did not experienced any side effects from it .. i will be more cautious next time .. thank you for reminder 👍

[@BasiePlants]

I am glad to hear hydrogen peroxide works! I might give it a go next time (but also I am hoping there is no next time). I like to lead a delussional life 😂

[@ashypie2004]

I've treated hoya root mealy infestation by removing the medium and soaking the roots in 50/50 water and lighter fluid solution. Smells awful but it works without damaging the hoya. Keep away from open flame though 😅

[@7excessu]

I used half chlordioxide half uranium Works everytime trust mee

[@BasiePlants]

Oh boy 😂 You are braver than I am! :D

[@TangoR3D]

the first thing that came to mind is to use something like a sous vide bath to maintain a constant water temperature lolol

[@BasiePlants]

It could maybe work (aside from it being quite pricey and how weird would I look? 😂) Imagine making that video: Root Mealybug Treatment No One Is Talking About - Sous Vide Bath! 😂

[@TangoR3D]

@@BasiePlants okay but i would definitely watch that!

[@kaceywagner2705]

You can keep the temp at 40 degrees with a sous vide circulator

[@BasiePlants]

Thanks!

[@raygv1]

Maybe the detergent affected the waxy leaves as the detergent entered the leaves via the roots: because on my other plants without waxy parts of the plant are unaffected

[@BasiePlants]

Unlikely, since then all of the leaves would be affected, via the stems. Only parts that were soaking were affected.

[@coneyrocca7834]

Ugh! Dealing with the same thing. Hate hate mealy bugs! So hard to track

[@BasiePlants]

I wish they would go away on their own!

[@vickirowsell9330]

I'm wondering if a heater you would use for a fish tank would get to 40 degrees 🤔

[@BasiePlants]

That is interesting! I would never even think of that!

[@blakea.e.1681]

I don't know if any fish live at those temperatures. Most are 78-80

[@vickirowsell9330]

@@blakea.e.1681 no the fish wouldn't like it for sure but I'm wondering if the heater would go higher. I know mine would go over 80 but I've never tired it 🐡

[@SemihydroponicswithSma]

Neem oil never worked for me either 🙃

[@BasiePlants]

Right? So many people swear by it, and for me.... nothing. Well, not nothing. It stinks like hell.

[@SemihydroponicswithSma]

@@BasiePlants I know. Maybe is supposed to stink the bugs away....maybe is not stinky enough 🤔

[@Lisa85]

A butterfly infestation is the start of a horror movie im pretty sure 🤣 I use the neem/water/Dawn dish soap mixture and have had good luck but I’ve never outright soaked my plants. I’ve saturated leaves and topsoil for spidermites with success. Also use hydrogen peroxide for sickly plants. Helps temporarily. Thankfully, I haven’t had too many pests in the three years I’ve kept plants. 🤞🏽

[@BasiePlants]

I have used dishawasing detergent in the past with success, the same one, but I am not sure why it betrayed me this time. From what I read, different batches can have different ingredients so each bottle is unique. I think hydrogen peroxide is useful, I use it a lot, but sadly didn't rid me of fungus gnats. No pests is the best!

[@Lisa85]

@@BasiePlants I know some dish soaps like Dawn here in the US have petroleum in their formula. You mentioned you've used dish soap with paraffin wax which is a derivative of petroleum- I wonder if that's why this recipe works for some and other not; it comes done to what soap you're using and if it has something to buffer the solvents!

[@jessicamelendrez8]

Ugh sorry you’re going through that!! Please post an update in a few months. Do you have a spider mite video?

[@BasiePlants]

Thank you

[@jessicamelendrez8]

@@BasiePlants Thank you :) I recently discovered mites on my Bella

[@christinecovey8146]

Sousvide keeps water at certain temp

[@countrygirl4422]

I don't know if there are any Benificial Nemotoids or Benificial bugs that would kill root mealybugs. I'm going to look into it. Sorry this happened to your Hoyas.

[@anndriggers6660]

I literally had a butterfly infestation inside my house once. I picked a whole bunch of green milkweed that grows wild next to my house. I put it in a container and it lasted a really long time, but the next thing I knew eggs were hatching and larva were growing! They made their cocoons and I had about 30 or 40 butterflies flying around in my bedroom. Also had a ladybug infestation. I got a ladybug house for Christmas one year. I opened the gift but I never used it so I put it in the top of my closet. Well, the conditions were just right, apparently, because the eggs hatched and I had thousands of ladybugs all over my house for about a year...

[@BasiePlants]

That still sounds much more pleasant than mealybug infestation 😂

[@wendyacker245]

Oh the bliss of not knowing lol 😆

[@BasiePlants]

If it could only stay like that forever! XD

[@jelenamitrovic9039]

Favourite hoya foliage video plz!

[@BasiePlants]

Comming soon to Basie Plants 😂

[@lisanowakow3688]

Although you know that butterflies first have to be hungry, munching worms?

[@BasiePlants]

Shhhh, my plan has flaws 😂

[@minhja4924]

@@BasiePlants hahaha

[@annieperks5798]

Favorite Hoyas please

[@hugofcunhasilva]

I think the begging of this video should be "How to spread root mealybugs" 🤣🤣 It is so funny!!! To maintain the temperature of water, you can use a thermostatic bath 😉 it is usually used in laboratories, but I'm sure you can find some online!

[@benjaminbaumann7705]

Try diatomaceous earth!!! Seems to work well to keep them away. For me so far anyways

[@BasiePlants]

From what I hear it works until you water for the first time :)

[@benjaminbaumann7705]

@@BasiePlants you mix it with the soil/Pon. In Pon ist dries of quickly again and with that is effective again. But even in soil it really seems to help. Other bugs, like thrips larvae that are in the soil also absolutely hate it!

[@sherlymarco968]

please do the fav hoya foliage video

[@juliepask8152]

Really dumb question, but can root mealies live in soil without a plant. Like can a bag of soil have eggs or something?

[@BasiePlants]

I have not looked into it, but potting mix can definitely be contaminated with other things.

[@carmenr4378]

I also had some root melybugs. I've been so pissed because I had them on some hoyas, so I took them out of the leca und soaked the roots for some seconds in Wodka 😂 after that I washed them with water. It worked fine. No bugs anymore and it didn't destroyed the roots 😅

[@BasiePlants]

Oh 😂 I hope you used some cheap vodka though xD

[@carmenr4378]

@@BasiePlants No i just had an expensive one :D but: just the best for my Hoyas ! :´D

[@martinanemcokova917]

I killed my Hoya linearis by soaking it in a Neem oil/dish soap solution. The leaves burned. Luckily it is easy to replace.

[@BasiePlants]

Oh no :( I am sorry to hear that! But you are right! Thankfully it is not... UNDULATA! 😂

[@amyelizabethweafer]

"and then what have you done"😂😂😂

[@BasiePlants]

😂 Nothing good, I can assure you of that xD

[@amyelizabethweafer]

@@BasiePlants I occasionally re-use water 🙈 I know it's bold.. but I do it anyway 🙈 But no more after your words of warning! 😱

[@Wendy-zl8kv]

I want butterflies infestation too 😂

[@laurievanduyne1358]

So sad…those mealies are gross! Canada has a dr bronzers dish soap…amazing!

[@BasiePlants]

That is a true soap indeed!

[@mariateresagatinao6832]

Hi Miro did you rinse the hoyas after soaking them in detergent?

[@BasiePlants]

Yes :)

[@mariateresagatinao6832]

@@BasiePlants 👍