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How to fix pittosporum white spots on tips?

My pitto is 2 y.o., from bunnings. From year 1 it started developing white spots on the tips of the branches only. If i let the spots stay the tips dry up and stop developing. The white spots are flat and non sticky, probably not scales. I almost never see this on the leaves so prob not mildew. I have never seen anything like this before and google doesn't help. Otherwise plants healthy, plenty of sun, sufficient watering, seasol now and then. Please help!

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mich1972

Good Morning @Katilda looks like either White Wax Scale , Cotton Cushion Scale or Mealy Bugs. These are all sap sucking Insects. You’ll need to give them a good spray with some Eco Oil or White Oil. This will smother and suffocate the insects. When spraying make sure to wear protective clothing, gloves, mask. Make sure to only spray later in the evening or very early morning, not in the heat of the day.
Really badly infested branches, I would personally cut them off and throw in the rubbish bin, not on the ground or compost.
Also keep an eye on Ants, they love them for their sweet sticky secretion and will help to look after them. Good luck and let us know how you go 🌿🌿😀

mich1972

@Katilda @These are good Insecticides for sap sucking insects, especially the Eco Neem Oil

MitchellMc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @Katilda. It's terrific to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about Pittosporum care.

@mich1972 has provided some excellent advice on how to get the scale under control, which should help with the white spots you're seeing. If you haven't already, it might also be worth inspecting the plant more closely for pests like mealybugs or aphids, which can sometimes cause similar issues. The products she's suggested will work for all of those issues.

Keep an eye on the plant, and don't hesitate to reach out if you need more help.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

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