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Healthy Rhipsalis - White fluff?

6 years ago

I have a large healthy rhipsalis. I'm not exactly sure what kind but I think it is a capilliformis. I have had this plant for going on 3 years. It is healthy and always putting out new growth. But since I've owned it, it has always had these white puffs/clumps on it. I thought they were mealy bugs and have sat and looked closely at this plant and have not once ever seen an actually mealy bug or any bug (or dead bug for that matter). I cannot figure out what this stuff is!? And it is huge and healthy and has been next to all my other plants its entire life without any other plants showing these signs. Is there a rhipsalis that has these white puffy clumps? Could it possibly be mealy bugs without seeing any bugs? or spreading to other plants? This one has me totally stumped! Thanks so much...

Comments (11)

  • 6 years ago

    Any chance of a picture?

  • 6 years ago

    Yes! sorry I meant to add some




  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Looks normal to me. I know nothing about cacti but look at images of Ripsalis hadrosoma and see what you think.


    eta only one photo was showing when I replied. New pix show the mealies.

  • 6 years ago

    You are right! I do see some on pictures of other rhipsalis hadrosoma ! Thanks so much. I feel better now. This plant is so beautiful I was afraid there was something wrong with it. Thanks again :)

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Oh man I hate to be a Debbie Downer, but I‘m pretty sure that could be mealies. The mealy bugs I usually see don’t really move at all. Makes them super easy to kill. Sometimes I will just see white cotton fluff and never a bug. Exactly what I see on your cactus. It’s kind of weird tbh because I know there are bugs somewhere laying these fluffy egg sacs. Take some of the white fluff you’re worried about and rub it in between your fingers, if it’s bugs they will leave behind an orange color on your finger.



    The one I circled red really doesn’t look right to me. See how they’re hanging out in the joints? That is very stereotypical of mealy bugs.



    This pic of a Rhipsalis from DangerGarden is what ”normal” white fluffiness looks like.



    Rhipsalis hadrosoma pretty much doesn’t have bristles, very different from your Rhipsalis.

    Pic R. hadrosoma from Google.



  • 6 years ago

    Yes, those little bits of white fluff are mealy bugs. If you don't get rid of them they will continue to multiply, suck the plant juices, and weaken the plant until it dies.

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Your last pic is unfortunately typical mealy infestation. Treat as soon as you can. Take a small spoon, or something you can scoop it off with and drop it on a dark surface. Pushing the fluff off a bit you will see a multi legged and probably long tailed disgusting scum of the earth. Then, put rubbing alcholol on it. Dilute rubbing alchohol to one part alchohol to 10 parts water, Give a small squirt of dish soap and wipe them all off. Keep after it. Mealy love succulents and are good at coming back to the scene of the crime. Search the soil too as they can inhabit it as well.


  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    'Scum of the earth'? I thought we were discussing pests, not Trump. But to add to your response, root mealies and leaf/branch mealies are different species and require a slightly different treatment. Succulent Asclepiads (Orbea, Tromotriche, Larryleachia, etc.) are particularly prone to root mealies. And I would not dilute the alcohol when you're surface-treating - full strength is best, as long as you leave the plant out of the sun following treatment.


  • 6 years ago

    Thank you to all who answered with on point info ;) I will treat for mealy (and watch my other plants carefully) and hope this plant becomes even more beautiful than it already is.

  • 5 years ago

    How do you treat please? I have the same thing.

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    Just in case you are not sure, test them first to make sure they are mealy bugs. Take a q-tip, moisten in rubbing alcohol and dab directly on white fluffy stuff. If living creature - a mealy bugs - the white covering will dissolve immediately, and all you have left is tiny orangey-light brown bug. It dies on direct contact with rubbing alcohol. Once you know for sure it is mealies, spray plant thoroughly with rubbing alcohol and keep plant out of any sunlight while wet. You need to repeat this treatment in approx. 5-7 days to get rid of next generation. I would do it about 3x total and that should help.