Scale on Myrtle and Lily Pollination Question

Treating Scale on Common Myrtle

Julie's common myrtle (Myrtus communis) developed scale. A homemade spray of water, dish soap, and oil helped but caused some leaves to turn black. She asked for an alternative homemade remedy and also wondered if tiger lily and Easter lily can cross-pollinate.

Safer Homemade Scale Treatment

For indoor myrtle, replace the oil in the spray with rubbing alcohol. Test on a small section first: mix 1 part isopropyl alcohol with 5 parts water, add a few drops of liquid dish soap, and spray a few leaves. Wait a week to ensure no damage. If safe, treat the entire plant, covering all surfaces thoroughly. Repeat in 5–7 days. Prune heavily infested stems before spraying to improve coverage.

Lily Pollination

Tiger lily (Lilium lancifolium) and Easter lily (Lilium longiflorum) are different species. While they belong to the same genus, natural cross-pollination is unlikely and any resulting seeds may not be viable or true to type. For reliable propagation, use species-specific pollination or vegetative methods.