Q. My rosemary plant has white
foamy droplets on the stems. I can spray them away when I water with a hose but
they return. They do not seem to be harming the plant but what is it?
foamy droplets on the stems. I can spray them away when I water with a hose but
they return. They do not seem to be harming the plant but what is it?
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| Spittlebugs are common on rosemary and live within the spittle for protection |
A. The white foamy droplets are called spittlebugs and
common on rosemary. They suck plant juices and are buried inside the spittle
for protection. They can be knocked off the plant with a strong stream of water
from a hose but they return quickly.
common on rosemary. They suck plant juices and are buried inside the spittle
for protection. They can be knocked off the plant with a strong stream of water
from a hose but they return quickly.
They
are usually more of a nuisance than a problem unless you are growing rosemary
as an herb. They can multiply and become a problem in the future so keep an eye
on them.
are usually more of a nuisance than a problem unless you are growing rosemary
as an herb. They can multiply and become a problem in the future so keep an eye
on them.
Neem
oil and horticultural oils will give some control of spittlebugs when sprayed
directly on the plants. Spray a small section of the plant first to make sure
the oils do not damage the rosemary.
oil and horticultural oils will give some control of spittlebugs when sprayed
directly on the plants. Spray a small section of the plant first to make sure
the oils do not damage the rosemary.
Soap
and water sprays wash the spittle off and leave these bugs unprotected. Follow
this with an insecticide spray such as pyrethrum which protects the plant from
becoming reinfected. This might need to be done several times, a few weeks
apart, to get them back under control.
and water sprays wash the spittle off and leave these bugs unprotected. Follow
this with an insecticide spray such as pyrethrum which protects the plant from
becoming reinfected. This might need to be done several times, a few weeks
apart, to get them back under control.