Pest identification
What's eating my peruvian apple cactus?
Mealybugs
Signs: Fluffy white deposits in rib grooves and areoles; sticky residue and stunted growth
Control: Apply 70% isopropyl alcohol with a cotton swab; treat all rib grooves; follow with neem oil
Scale insects
Signs: Hard brown or grey bumps on ribs; yellowing and honeydew deposit on stem surface
Control: Scrape off manually with a soft brush dipped in alcohol; apply horticultural oil to smother remaining crawlers
Spider mites
Signs: Fine webbing at areoles; pale stippling on green stem skin
Control: Wipe stems with a damp cloth; spray insecticidal soap; increase humidity around plant
Keep peruvian apple cactus pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Peruvian Apple Cactus pests — FAQ
What is eating my peruvian apple cactus?
Peruvian Apple Cactus grown indoors faces mealybugs and scale as the most common pests, colonising the ribbed stems. Spider mites can appear in hot, dry indoor conditions. This large columnar cactus is otherwise robust; good airflow and avoiding overwatering prevent the majority of pest and disease issues.
How do I get rid of mealybugs on peruvian apple cactus?
Fluffy white deposits in rib grooves and areoles; sticky residue and stunted growth Apply 70% isopropyl alcohol with a cotton swab; treat all rib grooves; follow with neem oil
How do I get rid of scale insects on peruvian apple cactus?
Hard brown or grey bumps on ribs; yellowing and honeydew deposit on stem surface Scrape off manually with a soft brush dipped in alcohol; apply horticultural oil to smother remaining crawlers
How do I get rid of spider mites on peruvian apple cactus?
Fine webbing at areoles; pale stippling on green stem skin Wipe stems with a damp cloth; spray insecticidal soap; increase humidity around plant