Mealybugs or Powdery Mildew? Identifying and Treating White Dust on a Succulent Vine

Mealybugs or Powdery Mildew? Identifying and Treating White Dust on a Succulent Vine

A reader in Philadelphia has a sunporch plant (8-inch pot, succulent leaves, vining) with white dust. Previously discarded a similar plant. Asks: treat or toss?

Differentiation

• Mealybugs: Look like cotton bits at leaf-stem junctions. Few? Remove with alcohol Q-tips. Many? Spray alcohol daily 1 week, 3x/week 2 weeks, 2x/week 2 weeks, weekly 6 weeks.
• Powdery Mildew: White dust/mold coating. Google images to confirm. Spray Lysol thoroughly (tops/bottoms) on same schedule as above.

Decision

If problem becomes chronic after treatment, discard to protect other plants.