Pest identification
What's eating my greek jancaea?
Mealybugs
Signs: White waxy deposits concealed under the dense silver leaf hairs in the crown and axils; rosette growth slows and leaves yellow
Control: Inspect carefully with a magnifying glass; dab with isopropyl alcohol on a fine brush; repeat every 7 days; isolate from other gesneriads immediately
Slugs and snails
Signs: Soft rosette leaves eaten with irregular holes or completely removed; slime trails on the pot rim or nearby surface
Control: Raise the pot on copper tape-ringed supports; inspect the pot base and surrounding area at night; remove pests by hand or use slug pellets nearby
Cyclamen mites
Signs: Distorted, stunted new growth at the center of the rosette; leaves may appear bronzed, thickened or curled under at the edges
Control: Mites are too small to see without magnification; isolate the plant immediately; apply an appropriate miticide or, for irreplaceable specimens, destroy and take leaf cuttings from unaffected outer leaves
Keep greek jancaea pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Greek Jancaea pests — FAQ
What is eating my greek jancaea?
Jancaea heldreichii is a rare alpine gesneriad from Mount Olympus, grown almost exclusively in pots or alpine house conditions. Its densely silver-felted rosette repels most insects. Mealybugs are the most realistic threat, hiding under leaf hairs in the crown. Overwatering causing crown rot is a greater risk than any pest.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on greek jancaea?
White waxy deposits concealed under the dense silver leaf hairs in the crown and axils; rosette growth slows and leaves yellow Inspect carefully with a magnifying glass; dab with isopropyl alcohol on a fine brush; repeat every 7 days; isolate from other gesneriads immediately
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on greek jancaea?
Soft rosette leaves eaten with irregular holes or completely removed; slime trails on the pot rim or nearby surface Raise the pot on copper tape-ringed supports; inspect the pot base and surrounding area at night; remove pests by hand or use slug pellets nearby
How do I get rid of cyclamen mites on greek jancaea?
Distorted, stunted new growth at the center of the rosette; leaves may appear bronzed, thickened or curled under at the edges Mites are too small to see without magnification; isolate the plant immediately; apply an appropriate miticide or, for irreplaceable specimens, destroy and take leaf cuttings from unaffected outer leaves