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 My quite large shefflera (in the house) is all sticky. What is the cause and what can I do about it?
Answer Dear LaDon,
It sounds as if your plant has been attacked by insects, possibly aphids, scale or whitefly which suck the sap from the stems and leaves and leave a sticky residue called honeydew. Once you have determined which insect it is - whitefly are, obviously, white, aphids are usually green but can be black, grey or orange and scale insects are small brown and disc shaped then go to your local garden store and buy the appropriate insecticide and use as per instructions.
So as not to damage furniture and upholstery I would move the plant outside for treatment. If this is not possible then put some newspaper under and around the plant because the honeydew will drip off and then the spray you use will drip as well.
It is very difficult to eradicate the insects once the honeydew stage is reached If after all the spraying is finished - it will have to be repeated probably several times but just follow the instructions given on the product, then I would imagine your plant will need a good clean up with warm soapy water, then clear water to sponge and mist the leaves.
I do hope you manage to erdicate the insects and your plant continues to flourish.
