Pest identification
What's eating my cup of gold vine?
Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony deposits in leaf axils and stem joints; sticky honeydew; weakened growth.
Control: Dab with isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab; spray neem oil or insecticidal soap; introduce Cryptolaemus beetles.
Scale insects
Signs: Brown or tan shell-like bumps on stems; yellowing leaves; sooty mold from honeydew.
Control: Scrape off with a soft brush; apply horticultural oil (dormant or summer weight); repeat every 2 weeks.
Spider mites
Signs: Fine pale stippling on leaf surfaces; webbing on undersides in warm, dry conditions.
Control: Increase ambient humidity; spray forcefully with water; apply neem oil or predatory mites.
Keep cup of gold vine pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Cup of gold vine pests — FAQ
What is eating my cup of gold vine?
Cup of gold vine (Solandra maxima) is a robust tropical climber most troubled by mealybugs and scale insects, which exploit its thick stems and waxy leaves. Spider mites can colonize the undersides in dry conditions. Outdoors in warm climates, caterpillars occasionally chew foliage and developing flower buds.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on cup of gold vine?
White cottony deposits in leaf axils and stem joints; sticky honeydew; weakened growth. Dab with isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab; spray neem oil or insecticidal soap; introduce Cryptolaemus beetles.
How do I get rid of scale insects on cup of gold vine?
Brown or tan shell-like bumps on stems; yellowing leaves; sooty mold from honeydew. Scrape off with a soft brush; apply horticultural oil (dormant or summer weight); repeat every 2 weeks.
How do I get rid of spider mites on cup of gold vine?
Fine pale stippling on leaf surfaces; webbing on undersides in warm, dry conditions. Increase ambient humidity; spray forcefully with water; apply neem oil or predatory mites.