What's eating my nematanthus 'freckles'?

Nematanthus 'Freckles' faces the same pest pressures as other goldfish plants: spider mites in dry conditions and mealybugs at stem nodes. Thrips can also damage the ornamental patterned leaves and flowers. Maintaining good air circulation and adequate humidity significantly reduces pest risk for this cultivar.

Silvery or bronze stippling on leaves, especially noticeable on the patterned foliage; webbing under leaves; rapid spread in hot, dry rooms. Mist the plant or place on a humidity tray. Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil to all surfaces. Severely affected leaves should be removed and binned, not composted.

White waxy tufts at leaf nodes and stem junctions; honeydew leads to black sooty mould obscuring the decorative leaf patterning. Dab colonies with alcohol-soaked cotton swabs. Treat the whole plant with neem oil spray and repeat weekly for three to four cycles. Quarantine affected plants immediately.

Tiny silvery streaks or scarring on petals and leaves; dark frass specks on undersides; flowers and buds may become distorted or drop prematurely. Remove and bin affected flowers. Apply spinosad or insecticidal soap spray, covering undersides of leaves where thrips hide. Blue sticky traps help monitor adult populations.