Lithop white stuff on root

9 years ago

I bought a lithop today and was about to repot it when I discovered some white stuff on the root and even found a few small white bugs. Are these root aphids? Does anyone have advice on how to deal with this?

I moved the lithop away from my other plants and tried to clean the soil off as much as possible. I sprayed a mixture of charcoal ash and water on it. I'm not too sure on what i should do. Would really appreciate some help! I've not encountered such a situation before.

Featured Answer

gdinieontarioz5

9 years ago

If OP found a few small white bugs, that sounds like root mealy bugs. Not something you want to ignore. Get the white stuff off as much as you can, and wash the whole root ball in rubbing alcohol. Ideally you would then after 15 minutes also wash the roots with Safer's Insecticidal Soap or a natural soap like castile. Then pot it up. You may have to repeat after 10 days or so. Then your Lithops (singular and plural both are Lithops) should be fine.

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Comments (6)

Gabby C (FL 9A)
9 years ago
I've seen that stuff a lot I have assumed it was normal as it's never been a problem and I see it on healthy roots.
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janplants12
Original Author
9 years ago
Hi Gabby, I saw small white bugs so I assumed that it's not normal. Would not want it spreading to my other plants!

Hi gdinieontarioz5 Thank you!!! I will try that and see how things go!
myermike_1micha
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I would be very good at getting rid of that. If it's root mealy which I have seen, they can be very hard to irradiate and to stop spreading to other plants..Good catch!!!

https://www.google.com/search?q=rootball+mealy+bug&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi5_sT_t6rXAhUK0IMKHU1TCd0Q_AUICigB&biw=1162&bih=412
Gabby C (FL 9A)
9 years ago
I over read the part about the bugs! Yes that would not be good lol.
janplants12
Original Author
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
It was real lucky that I saw the bugs!! They were so small that I wouldn't have noticed them at all. Another reason to always repot after bringing a new plant home!

I had always wanted to try growing lithops but didn't dare try because i read that they are extremely challenging to care for. When I finally decided to bring one home, it had root mealy. How unfortunate but nevertheless a learning experience! Thanks everyone :)