What are these white things on the stems of my blueberry plants?

March 1, 2014 6:21 AM

These white growths were on the stems of one of my blueberry plants here in Washington, DC. I guessed they weren't anything beneficial and they popped off pretty easily in the cold. The inside/undersides are sort of pinkish red. What are they?
posted by exogenous to Home & Garden (3 answers total)

Best answer: Its a bug called scale. I'd check with the ag extensions in MD or VA for best practices for removal.

Usually though its horticultural oil as a treatment - which is pretty benign so far as these things go.
posted by JPD at 6:23 AM on March 1, 2014

Response by poster: I think you're right
posted by exogenous at 6:33 AM on March 1, 2014

Best answer: It's wax scale. Just pop them off the stem and squish 'em. The ones you are seeing are the mature females, which if left untreated (unsquished:) will each produce hundreds of eggs in April. They feed on the sap of the host plant, so obviously if left untreated they can present a problem.
posted by PlantGoddess at 8:27 AM on March 1, 2014