I have this brilliant massive Macho Fern that gets direct morning light that has slowly over 6 months been mutilated by scale and mealy bugs. I've sprayed it incessantly with isopropyl alcohol, cut off really infested fronds, but it's just not working. New fronds are stunted, new leaves are deformed. I water it twice weekly.
So I'm thinking I'll try the nuke option. Cut off fronds, take plant out of soil, soak it, including roots, in a diluted bleach/detergent solution, throw out the soil, sanitise the terracotta pot, then replant in new soil and hope for the best.
At things are going I don't see the fern surviving, so I'm trying to pull out all stops.
Is this a suicide mission?
by Ikimaska
2 Comments
Tbh it sounds easier to get a new fern at this point?
I would cut off all the fronds that you see affected & then saran wrap the pot and turn it upside down and dunk it a few times in the bath tub. I’ve used alcohol wipes to clear up a bad scale situation on my monstera, but I also had to cut a lot of leaves back.
Also, could you post close up pictures of the affected leaves or pests?