Pest identification
What's eating my kalanchoe longiflora?
Mealybugs
Signs: Cottony white deposits in leaf axils and at stem nodes; sticky honeydew; distorted or slowed new growth.
Control: Isolate the plant; dab colonies with isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab; follow with weekly neem oil sprays for three to four weeks.
Aphids
Signs: Clusters of small soft insects on growing tips and flower stalks; leaves may curl; sticky residue attracts sooty mould.
Control: Blast off with a gentle stream of water; apply insecticidal soap spray, repeating every three to five days until gone.
Fungus gnats
Signs: Tiny flies hovering around soil; larvae damage fine feeder roots, slowing growth.
Control: Let the top two inches of soil dry before watering; use Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) drench; sticky traps catch adults.
Keep kalanchoe longiflora pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Kalanchoe Longiflora pests — FAQ
What is eating my kalanchoe longiflora?
Kalanchoe longiflora (tugela cliff-kalanchoe) faces the same indoor pest pressure as other kalanchoes: mealybugs are the most frequent attacker, sheltering in stem joints, while aphids may target soft new growth and flowering stems. Fungus gnats become a problem if the soil stays wet. Check stems and leaf undersides every two weeks.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on kalanchoe longiflora?
Cottony white deposits in leaf axils and at stem nodes; sticky honeydew; distorted or slowed new growth. Isolate the plant; dab colonies with isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab; follow with weekly neem oil sprays for three to four weeks.
How do I get rid of aphids on kalanchoe longiflora?
Clusters of small soft insects on growing tips and flower stalks; leaves may curl; sticky residue attracts sooty mould. Blast off with a gentle stream of water; apply insecticidal soap spray, repeating every three to five days until gone.
How do I get rid of fungus gnats on kalanchoe longiflora?
Tiny flies hovering around soil; larvae damage fine feeder roots, slowing growth. Let the top two inches of soil dry before watering; use Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) drench; sticky traps catch adults.