White Crust on Ficus: Mealybugs or Scale from Overpotting

Root Cause: Pot Too Large

If the ficus was repotted into a much larger pot, the excess soil stays wet too long, causing root rot and stress, which attracts pests.

Fix the Pot Size

Repot into a container only slightly wider than the plant's canopy (e.g., 14-inch canopy → 10-inch pot max). Use fresh soil with extra perlite for drainage.

Treat the Pests

Spray entire plant with rubbing alcohol every other day for a week (top and bottom of leaves), then weekly all winter to prevent reinfestation from eggs.