White specks, dots or webbing
Fine webbing, pale stippling and tiny moving dots usually mean spider mites, which thrive in warm, dry air.
Likely causes
Spider mites
How to tell: Fine webbing between branches and leaves speckled pale. Tap a branch over white paper — if the specks crawl, they're mites.
The fix: Rinse the foliage, raise the humidity, and treat with neem or a suitable miticide, repeating weekly until they're gone.
Powdery mildew
How to tell: A white, powdery film on the leaves in damp, still air.
The fix: Improve airflow, remove badly affected leaves, and treat with a fungicide.
Scale insects
How to tell: Small brown or white bumps on the stems, often with a sticky residue.
The fix: Wipe them off and treat with horticultural oil.
How to prevent it
Good airflow, enough humidity, and a quick weekly look under the leaves.
Common questions
How do I know it's mites and not dust?
Tap a branch over a sheet of white paper. If the specks move, they're spider mites.
General guidance based on 20+ years of practice. Every tree is different — when in doubt, ask us.