About Nancy Expertise I can answer questions on the following subjects:
Pests, chemicals
Showing AVs
Sowing Seeds
Problems with plants
Basics of AV growing
Episcias
Streptocarpus
Experience I am an African violet Advanced Judge in US and Canada. I have written a book on pests of African violets called "Insects, Pests and Diseases of the African Violet Family" My articles appear in African Violet Magazine and Chatter as well as in other magazines.
Organizations AVSA
AVSC
African Violet Society of Greater Montreal
Saintpaulia Society of Montreal
Publications Book author: "Insects, Pests and Diseases of the African Violet Family"
African Violet Magazine, many issues
Chatter Magazine Many issues
Horticulture
Other Magazines
Education/Credentials University of Indiana Master's work (Music)
Awards and Honors Jr. Queen of Show (Pixie Blue) AVSC Convention Montreal
Approximately 100 blue ribbons
25 or so Best of Class
Past/Present clients I sell mostly leaves on Ebay. I sell plants at convention shows and local shows.
Expert: Nancy Date: 5/26/2007 Subject: pests on AV?
Question After my flowers bloom and then die off I trim off the dead flowers and sometimes little white "things" come off the dead flowers. Then these white "things" stay on the leaves. It doesn't look like it's doing anything to the leaves, but I don't see any more flower buds.
Answer If the white things move or fly, they must be white fly.
However, I bet this is foliar mealy bug. You can touch this with alcohol on a Q-tip and it should disintegrate. You should not have to use a pesticide unless you have a large collection.
Once they have been cleaned off with alcohol, rince in warm water so the alcohol doesn't dry the leaf or flower bud.
