It does look like Nematode damage. You have others you have propagated so I would get rid of it :( After treating for the mealies your prince is going to look like a shell of his former self. So between the strange roots and those little fluffy white A holes I would say goodbye, but that's me :)

I'm leaning toward pitching it, too! After I pitch the potting mix, I'll bleach the pot well, too. This is just so strange. This plant was propagated from leaves, so I hasn't been out in the soil in my yard - where we do have nematodes.

I've been trying to read up on nematodes. Some (apparently) attack the roots externally. Others actually live in the roots - mostly the root knot types. So I wonder if they travel in the plant to the leaves.

Do y'all think I should bother with trying to propagate some leaves? Or would I probably just grow a new crop of nematodes?

Couldn't find much about them (I am sure I read what you did too).

(From reading below, I would think it is best to dispose of the plant.

-found here-

Starting plants directly from true seed also prevents introduction of root-knot nematodes on plant material since they are not seed borne.
Once soils are infested with root-knot nematode, control is extremely difficult

• Root-knot nematode has a very wide host range, and once introduced, it is difficult to control.
• Root-knot nematode is most common in warm, moist, sandy soils. Nematodes move in soil on their own, but also are easily introduced into new sites on transplants (which may or may not have visible symptoms), in infested soils, and in soil on tools and other equipment.

-found here-

In the greenhouse,
infected stock should not be used for propagation.
All pots, benches and tools must be thoroughly
disinfected before reuse. )

Thanks, Rina! I was talking to the folks at a city garden about nematodes. I was told that they are as prevalent as mosquitoes in this area. Oh joy! After finally learning that I had to plant gardenias grafted onto nematode resistant stock for them to survive, I guess I should have known this.

I did propagate this plant from one that had been PIG. Maybe that's how it was introduced into my potted mix. Or maybe I didn't clean my utensils. I guess it doesn't really matter at this point. So into the trash it goes - not the compost, tho!

Thanks again!

I have 9 poinsettias. I'm going to find out if the nematodes in our soil will eat them, too. I decided to PIG 3 of them this year . . .