What's eating my petrocosmea parryorum?

Petrocosmea parryorum is a delicate indoor gesneriad with softly hairy leaves, vulnerable to the same pests that trouble African violets and other gesneriads. Mealybugs tuck into the tight rosette, spider mites attack undersides in dry air, and fungus gnats exploit over-watered compost. Mealybugs are the most problematic indoors.

White waxy wool in leaf axils and crown; honeydew leads to sooty mould; plant weakens and stops flowering. Remove visible clusters with an alcohol-tipped cotton swab; apply neem oil spray to the whole plant weekly; isolate infected plants immediately.

Pale, stippled leaf surfaces with fine webs underneath; leaves may bronze or drop in severe cases. Increase ambient humidity to 50%+ and wipe leaves gently; spray with insecticidal soap or dilute neem oil, covering leaf undersides thoroughly.

Adult flies are a nuisance; larvae damage fine feeder roots leading to slow growth and wilting. Water less frequently, letting the surface dry out; use yellow sticky traps; treat soil with Bti (e.g. Gnatrol) to kill larvae.