Broccoli Thunder Dome Sticky Leaves - Causes & Fixes

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Aphid Infestation

Aphids are highly attracted to the tender, developing heads and leaves of broccoli. They inject piercing-sucking mouthparts into the plant tissue to feed on sap, excreting a sugary substance known as honeydew which creates the sticky residue.

Very Common

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How to confirm: Inspect the undersides of the leaves and near the growing tips for tiny, pear-shaped insects.

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1 Apply an organic insecticide to eliminate the aphid population and stop the production of honeydew.

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2 Gently wash the sticky residue off the leaves using a firm stream of water to prevent fungal growth.

3 Monitor the plant regularly using yellow sticky traps to capture any remaining winged aphids.

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Soft Scale Insects

Scale insects attach themselves to the stems and leaf undersides of broccoli plants. Like aphids, they extract sap and excrete honeydew, which can lead to the growth of black sooty mold on the sticky surfaces.

Common

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How to confirm: Look for small, stationary, bump-like protrusions firmly attached to the plant's stalks or leaves.

build How to fix it

shopping_cart Recommended Products

1 Apply an organic insecticide to eliminate the scale insects and stop the production of honeydew.

Bonide Captain Jack's Neem Oil 32 oz

0.9 L • 1 pcs • Organic

$10

In Stock

2 Wipe the sticky leaves and stems with a damp cloth to remove excess honeydew and prevent the spread of sooty mold.

3 Inspect the undersides of leaves and stems regularly to catch any remaining insects before they multiply.

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Whitefly Infestation

Whiteflies congregate on the undersides of broccoli foliage and feed on plant fluids. Their feeding process results in significant honeydew production, making the leaves feel tacky to the touch.

Common

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How to confirm: Gently shake the plant to see if a cloud of tiny white insects emerges from beneath the leaves.

build How to fix it

shopping_cart Recommended Products

1 Apply an organic insecticide to eliminate the whitefly population and stop the production of honeydew.

Bonide Captain Jack's Neem Oil 32 oz

0.9 L • 1 pcs • Organic

$10

In Stock

2 Deploy yellow sticky traps near the foliage to capture adult whiteflies and disrupt their breeding cycle.

Super Ninja Fungus Gnat Traps - 30 Pack

30 pcs

$7

In Stock

3 Thoroughly wipe the undersides of the leaves to remove the sticky residue and prevent fungal growth.

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Sooty Mold Growth

While not the primary cause, sooty mold is a secondary symptom that thrives on the sticky honeydew left by sap-sucking insects. It appears as a dark, powdery coating that can eventually block sunlight from the broccoli leaves.

Common

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How to confirm: Check if the stickiness is accompanied by a black, soot-like film that can be wiped off with your finger.

build How to fix it

shopping_cart Recommended Products

1 Identify and eliminate the underlying sap-sucking insects, such as aphids or whiteflies, which are producing the sticky honeydew.