What's eating my tillandsia capitata?

Tillandsia capitata is an epiphytic air plant with no soil, which eliminates many common pest routes, but mealybugs are its most frequent threat — hiding between tightly packed leaf bases. Scale insects and spider mites also occur. A diluted isopropyl alcohol spray and thorough weekly misting are the first and best lines of defence.

White waxy cottony clusters between leaf bases and at the plant centre; sap loss causes leaves to turn brown and the core to collapse. Remove visible colonies with a cotton swab dipped in 70% isopropyl alcohol; spray the whole plant with a 25% isopropyl alcohol in water solution, then rinse with distilled water and allow to dry fully within 4 hours.

Small tan or brown bumps on leaf surfaces; honeydew secretions attract sooty mould and cause yellow streaking. Scrape off carefully with a soft toothbrush; treat with horticultural oil spray diluted for air plants. Separate from your collection immediately.

Fine webbing between leaf layers; stippled, discoloured foliage and reduced blushing — most common when humidity is low. Increase humidity and misting frequency; spray all surfaces with diluted insecticidal soap or neem oil. Ensure the plant dries fully after treatment to prevent rot.