The dramatic, sculptural flowers of bird of paradise plants are hard to miss But upon closer inspection of the leaves, you may notice bumpy white or brown spots These could very well be scale insects, a common pest of these beautiful tropical plants.
Scales don’t usually kill plants, but they can weaken and change the way they grow. Scales can quickly spread and make plants look bad if they are not stopped. The good news is that scales can be controlled to make your bird of paradise healthy and beautiful again if you keep at it and use the right treatments.
Identifying Scale Insects on Bird of Paradise
Scales are small sap-sucking insects that attach themselves to stems, leaves, and other plant parts to feed. There are two main types:
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Armored scale – Round flat bumps less than 1/8 inch wide. Often white, tan, or brown. Have a waxy protective coating.
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Soft scale – Larger, oval bumps up to 1/4 inch long. Smooth and soft-bodied. May secrete sticky honeydew leading to black sooty mold growth.
Check the undersides of leaves and where leaves meet stems for telltale bumps. Use a magnifying glass to inspect closely. Gently scrape off a bump – live scales will be shallowly attached and easy to flick off.
If left uncontrolled, scales reproduce rapidly, spreading across leaves and stems. They insert piercing mouthparts into the plant to suck nutrients, causing yellow spots, deformed growth, leaf drop, and sometimes dieback on heavily infested plants.
Why Bird of Paradise Get Scale
Bird of paradise plants are prone to scale infestations for several reasons:
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Originating in warm tropical regions, they lack cold tolerance and freeze damage stresses them.
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Their large, soft leaves provide an ideal habitat for scales to colonize.
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Their sap is rich in nutrients, which is very attractive to scales.
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Slow growth in winter gives scales a chance to rapidly multiply.
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Close plant spacing and warm conditions allow scales to easily spread from plant to plant.
While bird of paradise plants are more susceptible than other plants, scales will infest many different hosts. It’s crucial to control populations and prevent them from spreading.
Getting Rid of Scale on Bird of Paradise
Here are some organic approaches to break the scale life cycle and control infestations on bird of paradise:
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Cut off leaves and stems that are heavily infested. Get rid of the worst infestations to get rid of large populations. Seal clippings in a bag and dispose of properly.
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Light oils can kill scales without hurting plants, so use horticultural oils. Thoroughly coat all leaf surfaces. Repeat every 7-10 days for 2-3 applications.
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Apply insecticidal soap spray – Spray plants, especially the undersides of leaves, every 5-7 days for several weeks. Kills juvenile scales.
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Release ladybugs – Natural predators that feed on scales. Buy and release near infested plants every 2-3 weeks.
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Apply neem oil – Disrupts scale growth and reproduction. Coat plants every 7-10 days for a few weeks.
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Promote vigorous growth – Healthy, vigorously growing plants better resist scales. Fertilize and prune to encourage new growth.
With persistence using multiple integrated methods, scale populations can be substantially reduced. It takes diligence, but it’s worth the effort to protect the beauty of bird of paradise plants and their stunning, sculptural blooms. Don’t let scales detract from this tropical showpiece.
Preventing Scale on Bird of Paradise
Prevention is the best solution when it comes to dealing with scales. Here are some handy tips to help avoid infestations in the first place:
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Choose resistant cultivars like giant bird of paradise, which is less troubled by pests.
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Carefully inspect new plants for signs of scales before purchase and planting.
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Allow adequate spacing between plants to increase airflow.
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Avoid excess fertilization which causes tender, succulent growth that scales love.
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Monitor monthly and treat early before scales can spread.
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Remove any chill-damaged foliage, which stresses plants.
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Control ants that interfere with natural predators.
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Use row covers to exclude immigrating adult scales.
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Frequently turn potted plants and inspect all sides.
While scales may occasionally find bird of paradise plants, staying proactive helps prevent major issues down the road. Pay close attention and act quickly at the first signs of scales before populations explode. A preventative, integrated pest management approach keeps bird of paradise healthy and continuously blooming.
Where does scale come from?
Your plant may get scale from many different places. It could be from another plant that is contaminated, farm-fresh food brought home from the market, or just being outside during the warmer months of the year. It’s often unclear where scale comes from, but also keep in mind that unhealthy or neglected plants can be far more susceptible to pest infestations than their healthier counterparts.
How to identify scale on houseplants
Scale insects are small, sticky bugs with hard shells that feed on plant nutrients (yeah, kinda gross). They show up on leaves and stems. This can cause your plants to lose color, vigor, and in extreme cases, death.
There are two types of scale—armored (hard scale) and unarmored (soft scale). The most common type of scale is hard brown bumps that look like armor on your plant’s leaves and stems. Scale can be any color, shape, or size. You may also see scale that is white and soft (or unarmored). Keep in mind that because scale latches on to your plant, you will not see it move at all—and removing it thoroughly when there is an infestation can be quite tricky.
Scale & Mealybugs 101: Safeguarding Your Birds of Paradise
FAQ
How to get rid of scales on Bird of Paradise?
same as with mealybugs, alcohol kills them. you can do it manually with a small paintbrush or a cotton swab dipped in alcohol. Feb 1, 2024.
What does an unhealthy Bird of Paradise look like?
A: An unhealthy Bird of Paradise often has yellowing leaves, brown tips, or drooping stems. Curling leaves also mean that the plant is not getting enough water, while mushy roots point to the case of overwatering. Pests like spider mites or scales can also damage the plant.
How do you get rid of scale on plants?
To eliminate scale insects on plants, begin by manually removing visible pests with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol, or by pruning infested leaves. For larger infestations, consider using insecticidal soap, neem oil, or horticultural oil sprays, ensuring thorough coverage and repeat applications every 7-10 days.
How to get rid of fungus on Bird of Paradise?
Use 50/50 water and 70% alcohol in a spray bottle. You need to get every crevice and under every leaf. You will need to check every 5-7 days after that until they’re all gone. You can use a cotton swab on individual bugs. A day or two after treatment you can attack the sooty mold.