Question
A few years back I had a problem with a indoor potted pine tree that I ask about.  It has a white sticky substance on the branches and needles and is killing the tree.  Someone gave me a recipe of a mixture to spray on it.  It worked.  The tree now has the same problem and I lost the recipe for the mixture during a move.  I believe it was water, soap, and either rubbing alchol or peroxide.  Do you know of this mixture and if so can you tell me the formula.  I looked back in the archives and could not find my question and answer.

Answer
Hi Bonnie:

I suspect that the stick stuff may be "honeydew", which is an insect excretement.  Not sure about the formula for the spray you mentioned, seems everyone may have a different concoction.  A good commercial preparation to look at is Safer Insecticidal Soap.  This is available at most garden centers/nurseries and is a very safe material for a variety of insects.  Carry your plant outside to spray it- since the spray may leave an unsightly residue on that prize wood living room furniture!!

Steve