Cacti have a white coating

Cause # 1: powdery mildew

Powdery, white coating on the green epidermis indicates the fungal infection mildew there. In the further course of the illness the infected parts of the plant turn brown and die. How to act correctly now:

• Cut off heavily infected parts of the plant and dispose of them in household waste
• Treat the cactus with a mix of 1/8 liter fresh milk and 1 liter lime-free water
• Spray on the milk water every 2 to 3 days
• Alternatively, dust the affected plant with primary rock flour

For cacti in the greenhouse, get help from the animal kingdom. Mushroom ladybirds (Psyllobora vigintiduopunctata), sixteen-spotted ladybirds (Halyzia sedecimguttata) and skull hover flies (Myathropa florea) graze the mushroom lawn with enthusiasm.

Cause # 2: mealybugs

If the covering is reminiscent of small, white cotton balls, you are confronted with a pest infestation. They are 1-5 mm small

Mealybug and their larvae. The parasites protect themselves with a waxy shell and soak up the sap. Upon contact, a greasy, white plaque forms, so that the pests are also known as mealybugs. How to take action against the plague:

• Dab individual infected areas with alcohol-soaked cotton swabs
• Spray large areas with alcohol or lemon balm spirit
• Alternatively, fight with a mixture of 1 liter of water and 15 ml each Soft soap(€ 38.05 at Amazon *) and alcohol

The use of beneficial insects has also proven itself in the control of mealybugs. This applies in particular to locations such as the greenhouse, greenhouse or winter garden. The Australian ladybird (Cryptolaemus montrouzieri) has lice at the top of their menu. The beneficial insects are bred in special farms and can also be purchased there.