I'm a bit worried about my Portulacaria Afra and I'm not sure if it has scale insects or if it's just edema. Any insights on how to tell the difference and what I should do?
2 Answers
It sounds like you might be facing edema, which shows up as raised spots or even cracks. It usually happens because of watering issues or sudden temperature changes. If the bumps aren't attached and look more like water blisters, that's likely it. Edema is mostly cosmetic, so as long as the plant is otherwise healthy, you’re probably okay!
If you're seeing uniform raised bumps on your Portulacaria Afra, those could be scale insects. They tend to be pretty noticeable but might be removed without hurting the plant. If you're looking for more information on these pests, the wiki is packed with details on how to identify and handle them. Just remember to be gentle when you pull them off!
Scale can be sneaky, but if it's just some small, raised, round bumps, that’s likely what you’re seeing. Make sure to check underneath the leaves too!
Thanks for this insight! I think I might have seen some edema before, but it looked a bit different. How do I spot it better next time?