wrote in message ...
and Nick wrote:

They are scale insects. The best way to get rid of them is to
scrape them off. Repeat at weekly intervals until they stop
coming back. They live on both the leaves and stems.

Thanks for the help. Do they live in the soil too? Should I remove the
top inch or so?

No they don't but it's worth just taking a look down the trunk below the
soil if they are that bad.
Once off the plant they are unable to crawl back as they lose mobility once
attached to the plant as tiny youngsters.

--
Regards
Bob

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