Not scale, but I'm not sure what it is. Does it come off with a wet rag?

Planto

Nope. I also tried scraping it off gently with my fingernail and it doesn't come off that way either.

Hmm... I'm not sure then. I had something similar on a Schefflera once, but it came off with a wet rag. Can you return the plant?

Planto

I had something kinda similar show up on one of my scheffleras, only it was reddish in color and seemed to only affect some of the new growth. I couldn't find out what it was and it eventually disappeared on it's own.

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Planto-I could take it back, but I only paid $3.

elkay-This is on the oldest growth, closest to the soil line only, but it does look similar.

Could it be damage from a chemical used to treat it for sale, or maybe shipping damage? My biggest worry was that it could spread to my other plants. I have this in the same room as several others, but not too close. I'll keep an eye on it and see if it spreads or goes away.

Hmm, do they have another one? I see them around here a dime a dozen, but that's not always the case for everyone else. I'd keep it away from your other plants in the meantime if you decide to keep it, just in case. If it doesn't spread, I guess it was nothing?

Planto

What does the upper surface of the foliage look like? And what does the whole plant look like?

It's possible to buy a plant on an impulsive whim yet still take ten seconds to examine it. :-) Learn what scale insects actually look like, and mealybugs, and a spider mite infestation....and leave those problems at the store.

This post was edited by rhizo_1 on Thu, May 1, 14 at 6:57