What ails your house plant?

"What is wrong with my house plant?" That question is a recurring one. So, here is some information that will help you identify pests and problems.

Although house plants are less likely to be attacked by pests than garden plants, they can suffer serious damage if an attack is not treated.

Always inspect new plants for signs of pests before bringing them into your home; once there, check them regularly and deal promptly with any infestation.

Treat any mild attack by washing the plant with soapy water; if the problem is more serious, identify the pest and treat the plant with a suitable insecticide.

Some pests only attack certain plants, but others such as whiteflies and aphids are less discriminating.

APHIDS

Aphids, also known as greenflies, can also be black, brown, gray or light yellow. Their molted white cases are often found on infested plants. Aphids suck sap and exude a sticky substance on which sooty mold can grow.

Treat with a contact spray or if the attack is severe, a systemic insecticide. All plants with soft stems and soft leaves are at risk for aphids.

FUNGUS GNATS

Fungus gnats are tiny insects that infest all peat and peat-based mixtures. They hover above the surface of the potting mixture, in which they lay their eggs.

The larvae feed on dead matter and may attack the roots of seedlings. Treat by drenching the potting mixture with an insecticide when it is dry. All plants in a peat-based soil mix are at risk.

MEALY BUGS AND ROOT MEALY BUGS

Mealy bugs and root mealy bugs are oval shaped, about 1/4 inch long and resemble sow bugs. They are covered with sticky white wax that repels water.

Mealy bugs are sap-suckers and exude sticky honeydew, causing leaf drop. Treat by drenching the potting mixture with systemic insecticide at 14-day intervals.

Plants at risk for mealy bugs are cacti, African violets and geraniums.

Spider mites are barely visible to the naked eye but can be detected by the fine, silky webs they spin on the undersides of leaves and around leaf axils.

Their presence causes mottling of leaves, stunted growth and leaf drop. Treat a severe attack by spraying upper and lower leaf surfaces with insecticide.

Plants growing under cover in hot dry air are at risk of spider mites.

ADULT VINE WEEVILS

Adult vine weevils are large and almost black in color; the grubs are cream-colored. The adults bite pieces out of leaves, and the grubs eat roots, tubers and corms, resulting in plant collapse.

There is no remedy if the root system has been destroyed, but for less severe attacks, drench the soil mix with insecticide.

Rosette-shaped succulents are most likely to be affected by vine weevils. Remember these pests will also attack your outside plants.

For the best insecticide solutions, consult any local nursery or garden center.

Most house plant problems are caused by too much or too little water, light, humidity and heat. However, if correctly identified, the problem can usually be rectified and the plant restored to health.

Pale, spindly growth is usually due to lack of light. Cut back leggy growth to encourage bushiness, and move to a brighter location.

If your plant has variegated leaves and the coloring is fading, move the plant to a more brightly lit position.

Brown patches on leaves are generally caused by too much sun. Provide some form of shade or move the plant away from the window.

Curling leaf edges often indicate that lighting is too bright. Moving the house plant to a shadier position will help solve this problem.

Rotting leaves and stems are usually due to a fungal disease that occurs in poor growing conditions. Remove all affected parts and make sure the plant is not overwatered.

Dried-up lower leaves and leaf drop are due to poor light, too much heat or lack of water. Move the houseplant to a brighter position, away from direct source of heat, and water as required.

Leaf drop is usually caused by a draft, sudden drop in temperature or dryness of roots. Move the plant to a more sheltered position and water as necessary.

If your flowering house plant is not blooming, move it to a brighter position. All flowering plants need six hours of sunlight to produce flowers.

On the other hand, if flowers drop rapidly or the buds fall off before the flower forms, the temperature may be too warm as well as too little humidity. Move the plant to a cooler area in the house and provide a humidity tray with moist pebbles to increase the humidity around it.

Wilting leaves may be due to too much water or too little water. If the potting mixture is very dry, soak the pot in a bowl of water, kitchen sink or bathtub for half an hour.

On the other hand, if the soil is too wet, repot into a barely moist potting mixture.

Yellowing leaves and leaf drop are usually caused by a cold draft. Simply move the plant to a more sheltered position.

Debi Papp is a member of the Yuma Garden Club and various other gardening organizations. She may be reached at greenthumbs1@roadrunner.com or 783-3189.