I came across the cutest homalomena at a big box store, but it was infested with mealybugs, along with most plants in the greenhouse. I decided to pass because I've never dealt with them and I'm not keen on having another pest problem after battling thrips. Is it ever a good idea to buy a plant like this? Could I have treated it in isolation and ended up with a healthy plant? Just how tough is it to get rid of mealybugs? I'm really curious if anyone has taken the risk and had a success story!
2 Answers
It honestly depends on how many mealybugs there are and the type of plant. I once bought a cactus that ended up rotting from the inside because the bugs were hiding in it! If it's a plant with sparse leaves, sure, give it a shot, but something dense makes it way harder to treat. I treated a small philodendron with a couple of mealybugs, and I got rid of them pretty quickly since there weren’t many hiding spots.
I really wouldn’t recommend dealing with mealybugs; they’re just too much hassle. There's no benefit to bringing those pests into your collection, especially if you don't have them already. Even if you try to quarantine, the eggs can stick around for ages!
Totally agree—type of plant matters! Sparse leaves are definitely easier to deal with. Sounds like you've had your share of pest battles too!