Mealy bug on a bougainvillea
 

I have just this one stem about 10" long in a 4" inch pot. It has leaves and
when i bought it had orange flowers. I repotted it and noticed lately, some
white gooey stuff along the stem, particularly around the nodes. I can pick
them off and its like sticky cotton. I've been spraying daily and touching with
rubbing alcohol and seem to have it under control..there is not much of area
to cover. Just when i thought it was under control i noticed another one. I
picked it off. Is it possible that I can't get rid of this pest? I hate to
think it getting invested as the plant grows. In fact, I've noticed at the tip
end that it may start to bloom again. Its a Barbra Kurst variety.

Barbara Kurst is not orange. It has deep pink flowers so someone goofed
along the way. If you continue to treat and still get more mealies showing
up, tip the plant upside down and gently knock it out of the pot to see if
there are masses of them on the roots. If so, the only way I know to get rid
of them is to put the plant back in its pot and plunge the whole pot into
your favorite insecticide. Diazinon, Orthene, Malathion should all work.
There are a lot of good insecticides that'll do the job and take your
paycheck too (Enstar, Decathalon, etc). After no more bubbles come up,
remove the pot to drain. Of, course do this with adequate protection (at
least rubber gloves) and outdoors or in the garage with a fan if it's too
cold outside. Eradicating them can be done but it takes persistence. Good
Luck
Gary

"Harri85274" wrote in message
...
I have just this one stem about 10" long in a 4" inch pot. It has leaves
and
when i bought it had orange flowers. I repotted it and noticed lately,
some
white gooey stuff along the stem, particularly around the nodes. I can
pick
them off and its like sticky cotton. I've been spraying daily and touching
with
rubbing alcohol and seem to have it under control..there is not much of
area
to cover. Just when i thought it was under control i noticed another one.
I
picked it off. Is it possible that I can't get rid of this pest? I hate to
think it getting invested as the plant grows. In fact, I've noticed at the
tip
end that it may start to bloom again. Its a Barbra Kurst variety.

Barbara Kurst is not orange. It has deep pink flowers so someone goofed
along the way. If you continue to treat and still get more mealies showing
up, tip the plant upside down and gently knock it out of the pot to see if
there are masses of them on the roots. If so, the only way I know to get
rid
of them is to put the plant back in its pot and plunge the whole pot into
your favorite insecticide. Diazinon, Orthene, Malathion should all work.

While I have nothing against the insecticides, I've drowned mealy bugs
before by just sticking the plant and pot under water for an hour. Of
course, not all plants can tolerate that. Whichever method you use, I'd
re-treat at least once per week for a while to catch the young after they
hatch.

steve