About Diana Hamilton Expertise I can answer questions related to flowering and non-flowering house plants, and herbs. I do not know very much about cactus, orchids and bonsai
Experience For 20 years I owned a florist where I sold cut flowers and all types of house plants and accessories and gave advice to my customers.
Publications I have not had any writings published but I have presented gardening programmes on television, showing viewers how to care for their plants, giving them ideas on suitable plants, discussed problems with experts in different fields and given practical demonstrations on growing seeds, planting tubs and hanging baskets, watering, feeding, pruning etc.
Education/Credentials I am completely self-taught
Awards and Honors I have exhibited plants and flower arrangements in many Flower Shows winning many prizes.
Question I had a hindu rope hoya that developed cotton like stuff on it and I'm thinking spider mites of some type. It died, so I threw it out. My other hoyas, in a different room, have now developed the same sticky, cottony stuff on them. What can I do to save my plants?
Answer Dear Leslie,
What you describe is almost certainly mealy bug so you should spray weekly with malathion or a systemic insecticide - this will enter the plant's leaves and stalks so that new insects alighting on the plant will be poisoned when they try to suck the plant sap.
If you have only a few insects you could try washing them off using your fingers or with the help of a cotton wool bud rather than an insecticide.
If the plants are badly affected then buy a well known brand of insecticide and follow the instructions and hopefully you will soon be rid of these pests.
