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've got something terribly wrong with my indoor plants. The leaves are shiny with a sticky substance - and the room surfaces all around the plant are also sticky. (I discovered the plant as the source after several apartment cleanings..!) So it's somehow exuding this from the leaves (?).
The plant itself seems to be growing fine - lots of strong, tall new stalks, etc. - though the leaves do show some indication of dis-ease (some black spots in areas, a (very) few holes here and there, and the usual dried edges..).
I'm guessing fungus over pests...any advice?
Answer Dear Luis,
Could be both I'm afraid.
Some insects i.e. aphids, whitefly and mealy bug feed on the sap of the plant and exude a sticky substance called honeydew. I doubt very much that your plants have mealy bug the as you would have noticed them as they are white and deposit a white cottony fluff on the stems and leaves. You need to spray with a proprietary insecticide. Try to get a systemic insecticide as this enters the leaves and stems so that any future insects alighting will be killed when they suck the sap.
The holes may be caused by caterpillars so have a good look to see if there are any on your plants - usually you will find them on the underside of leaves. If there are any just pick them off and destroy them. If they have deposited any eggs then wash these off.
The black spots may be caused by a fungus - when you go to buy your insecticide I would take a damaged leaf with you and ask for advice in the store.
