• Mealybugs may be a minor problem indoors
• Mites may be a problem indoors
• Whitefly is a significant problem in the nursery

     Mealybugs can be removed with a systemic insecticide drench and hand cleaning.  If pesticides are not an option, try horticultural oil directly sprayed onto the insects.  A second and third treatment, if using oils,  will be necessary.  Space out the sprays at 3 week intervals to break up the mealybug life cycle.

     Mites should be primarily controlled with predator mites.  Neoseiulus californicus,(Spical, Spical Plus, Californiline) and Phytoseiulus persimilis,(Spidex, Bio Persimilis, Phytoline) are two excellent choices for spider mite control.  If a mite infestation is exceptionally bad, prior to the release of predator mites, spray the plant with water or horticultural oil.  Both will provide some knockdown control of spider mites and will not leave a toxic residue that may effect predator mites.  Miticides registered for interior use and compatible with predator mites include Sultan, Shuttle O and Floramite SC.  The  Alocasia is one of the only plants, in the nursery, where we find spider mites on the top and bottom surface of the leaves.  If spider mites are on the upper surface, then a significant mite population exists.  To find mites early, use a hand lens and look closely along the underside edge of a leaf around the middle of the plant.

The Hilo Beauty is highly attractive to whiteflies in the nursery.  Whiteflies may not be a significant problem on interior plants, but garden centers may experience this problem.  Horticultural oil sprays are a non-chemical effective way to kill whiteflies, but there is no residual protection after spraying.  A Mainspring drench can provide longer term systemic protection against whiteflies and will be more compatible with predator mites.   

     In the nursery, no special nutrients are required to keep the Alocasias looking good.  We do apply dolomite on about a 3 month interval.  Dolomite supplies extra calcium and magnesium to the plant and helps buffer the pH of the soil.  Low pH may be associated with the premature loss of older leaves.

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