What's eating my congo cycad?

Congo Cycad (Encephalartos laurentianus) faces armored scale insects as the primary pest threat in cultivation, with mealybugs common in warm, sheltered greenhouse environments. Spider mites can flare in hot, dry conditions. Seed weevils may attack cones in outdoor conservation plantings. Consistent monitoring and horticultural oil applications keep these slow-growing cycads healthy.

White-grey encrustations on fronds and caudex; heavy infestations cause yellowing, wilting, and eventual frond death Rinse plant thoroughly; apply horticultural oil spray weekly for 4 weeks; systemic soil drench for large or heavily infested specimens

Cottony white wax deposits in the crown and along midribs; honeydew and sooty mold; suppressed new growth Remove manually with alcohol-dipped cotton; spray neem oil or insecticidal soap every 10 days until clear

Fine stippling and bronzing on leaflets; fine webbing on undersides; damage intensifies in hot, dry indoor conditions Raise humidity and mist foliage; spray with neem oil or miticide spray; repeat weekly for 3 weeks