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It is a good idea to check your plants every few days for signs of pests and diseases, and to deal with any problems promptly. Healthy plants are less vulnerable to attack, but if yours do succumb, most pests and diseases can be treated with chemical sprays; always read the manufacturers instructions carefully before use. Aphids can be picked off, or you can take the affected plant outside and spray with a hose to remove them.
| Whitefly |
| Colonies of tiny white insects that suck the sap from leaves and stems. Use biological controls or spray with pyrethrum. |
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| Aphids |
| Tiny sap-sucking insects that cluster on stems and the undersides of leaves. Pick off by hand or spray with pyrethrum. |
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| Red Spider Mites |
| Create mottling on upper surface of leaves; mites like hot, dry conditions. Increase humidity, and spray with bifenthrin. |
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| Scale Insects |
| Create mottling on upper surface of leaves; mites like hot, dry conditions. Increase humidity, and spray with bifenthrin. |
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| Mealybugs |
| Sap-sucking insects that are covered with a white, fluffy substance. Use biological controls or spray with malathion. |
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| Downy Mildew |
| Yellow spots on leaf surfaces and gray mold underneath. Remove affected parts and spray with a fungicide. |
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| Powdery Mildew |
| Covers the leaves first, then other areas, with a grayish, white powder. Remove affected parts and spray with fungicide. |
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| Sooty Mold |
| Black fungus that grows on the secretions left by sap-sucking insects. Wipe off with a damp cloth, or remove affected parts. |
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Caring for Plants
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