What's eating my string of nickels?

String of Nickels (Dischidia nummularia) is a delicate trailing epiphyte grown indoors, most vulnerable to mealybugs hiding in its tiny coin-shaped leaves and stem nodes. Spider mites and scale insects are secondary pests. Because it is often grown in sphagnum moss, fungus gnats can also appear if the medium stays too wet.

White waxy cottony tufts between the round leaves and at stem nodes; leaves turn pale yellow, and the plant's delicate stems weaken and collapse. Dab with alcohol-soaked swabs; spray diluted insecticidal soap along the stems. Isolate immediately — mealybugs spread easily between hanging plants.

Tiny pale specks on the small round leaves, fine webbing over stem clusters, and leaves appearing dull or dusty, worse in dry indoor air. Mist the plant gently to raise humidity; apply neem oil spray weekly for 3 cycles. Avoid placing near heating vents.

Tiny brown or tan bumps along the wiry stems and on the flat leaf surfaces; sticky honeydew coats the leaves below the infestation. Remove visible scales with a soft brush or swab dipped in horticultural oil; apply a light neem oil spray and repeat every 2 weeks.