Kalanchoe blossfeldiana Don Amador White Cottony Spots - Causes & Fixes

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Mealybugs

Mealybugs are small, soft-bodied insects that secrete a white, waxy, cottony substance to protect themselves. They congregate in the crevices of the Kalanchoe leaves and stems, sucking sap and weakening the plant.

Very Common

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How to confirm: Use a magnifying glass or smartphone zoom to check if the white spots move or are clustered near leaf axils.

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1 Isolate the plant immediately to prevent the mealybugs from spreading to your other houseplants.

2 Treat the infestation by spraying the plant with an organic insecticide or neem oil to kill the insects and remove the waxy coating.

Bonide Captain Jack's Neem Oil 32 oz

0.9 L • 1 pcs • Organic

$10

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3 Use a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol to manually remove any visible white cottony clusters from the leaf crevices and stems.

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Cottony Scale

Certain types of scale insects produce a white, filamentous covering that can look like cotton. These pests attach firmly to the succulent stems of the 'Don Amador' cultivar, causing stunted growth.

Common

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How to confirm: Try to gently scrape the white spots with a fingernail; if they are firm and attached to the stem, it is likely scale.

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1 Treat the affected stems with an organic insecticide spray to eliminate the scale insects and their white coverings.

Bonide Captain Jack's Neem Oil 32 oz

0.9 L • 1 pcs • Organic

$10

In Stock

2 Carefully wipe away visible cottony spots from the stems using a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol to remove the pests manually.

3 Inspect the plant closely for any new infestations and ensure the plant is in a well-ventilated area to prevent pest recurrence.

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Sclerotinia (White Mold)

This fungal pathogen thrives in the high humidity often found around Kalanchoe foliage, producing white, fuzzy mycelium that looks like cotton. It can quickly cause stem rot and plant collapse.

Common

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How to confirm: Inspect the base of the plant for soft, water-soaked lesions or mushy stems beneath the white fuzz.

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1 Prune away all affected stems and foliage showing white fuzzy growth using sterilized shears to prevent the fungus from spreading to healthy tissue.