There Is A White Substance All Over The Branches And…
Jean Asked
There is a white substance all over the branches and leaves of one of our bushes: what could it be?
The Gardener’s Answer
Hello, Jean: There are a few different possibilities of what this white substance could be. Scale, mealy bugs, and powdery mildew are all potential culprits. I cannot say for sure without knowing what the plants are or seeing a sample. Do you know what the actual shrubs are? Different plants are more subject to certain insects and/or fungal problems. For example, if you told me that your Euonymus had a white substance on it, I would not hesitate to tell you that your plant has scale, but the best thing to do is have the problem positively identified. That way you know how to treat the problem and know what to look for in the future. Is it possible to bring samples of your plants into the Plant Kingdom? We are located on Westport Road in St. Matthews. That way we can look at them and tell you what is going on and give you treatment options. The Cooperative Extension Service is also a great source of information, and you can also take your samples to the offices on Barrett if that is closer for you. I am sorry I cannot give more definitive answers at this time.
