Pest identification
What's eating my aechmea cylindrata?
Scale insects
Signs: Hard or soft bumps on the outside of the cylindrical rosette and leaf sheaths; sticky, sooty deposits
Control: Remove with an alcohol-soaked brush; apply horticultural oil spray, paying attention to the tight tubular interior
Mealybugs
Signs: Cotton-like wax masses deep inside the tube and at leaf bases; plant yellows and wilts
Control: Flush the tank and swab accessible colonies with isopropyl alcohol; spray neem oil solution and repeat after 10 days
Spider mites
Signs: Fine pale speckling across outer leaf faces; webbing in warm, dry conditions
Control: Improve humidity around the plant; treat with insecticidal soap spray on all leaf surfaces weekly
Keep aechmea cylindrata pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Aechmea cylindrata pests — FAQ
What is eating my aechmea cylindrata?
Aechmea cylindrata is a tubular tank bromeliad that provides sheltered spaces where scale insects and mealybugs can thrive undetected. Spider mites can infest the leaf surfaces in dry interiors. Flush the cylindrical tank weekly with fresh water and inspect the outer leaf surfaces carefully, as the narrow form can hide pests.
How do I get rid of scale insects on aechmea cylindrata?
Hard or soft bumps on the outside of the cylindrical rosette and leaf sheaths; sticky, sooty deposits Remove with an alcohol-soaked brush; apply horticultural oil spray, paying attention to the tight tubular interior
How do I get rid of mealybugs on aechmea cylindrata?
Cotton-like wax masses deep inside the tube and at leaf bases; plant yellows and wilts Flush the tank and swab accessible colonies with isopropyl alcohol; spray neem oil solution and repeat after 10 days
How do I get rid of spider mites on aechmea cylindrata?
Fine pale speckling across outer leaf faces; webbing in warm, dry conditions Improve humidity around the plant; treat with insecticidal soap spray on all leaf surfaces weekly