I just threw away the rest of my aloes that I repotted two weeks ago because they rotted. BUT I saw what looked like root mealy bugs. I didn't see any actual bugs. Just white moldy spots by the roots so I'm assuming that's what it is. Did you look for any bugs?

Hmm...thanks, Christy. The rhizome was soft and disgusting, so I tossed it quickly. I didn't look for bugs, but I wish I had. I was not familiar with root mealy bugs. I had to look them up just now. Nasty little buggers. There weren't really any roots on these, but I haven't read enough yet to know whether they'll got after the rhizome too.

That is a better explanation than anything I've come up with. Jeez, I hope if that's the problem, they haven't spread to other plants. Ack! What do you do to eliminate them?

I sent Al an email. I'm hoping he has the time to get back to me. I spray my plants periodically with neem oil so my guess is that's why I really wasn't seeing ANYTHING above the soil. Outwardly, the plant looked good, I punched a leaf and it was WAY MUSHY! Never seen anything like it! On one of the leaves you could see bubbles INSIDE through the skin. I've heard they make soil drenches for the root mealy bugs. At this point I'll do what ever in have to to make sure it doesn't spread. So I'm wondering if it's ok just to treat them for a prevenative. I thankfully had them isolated from day 1. But want to treat everything just to ease my mind. I know some people don't use chemicals and they go natural ALL THE WAY. What's your take on it? Would you use an insecticide?

I PINCHED a leaf. Lol I really hate auto correct on iPhone!!!

I avoid chemicals around my animals, but if there isn't a good non-chemical cure, I'll use chemicals before I'll let all my plants get infected.

Where do you think yours picked up the bugs? If mine have it, it could've come from anywhere. I reuse water, pot plants together, and get plants from many sources - no attempt to isolate new plants or even examine them for bugs. Now I'm wondering if the weirdness with my spider plant might be the same thing - except I think I read the bugs only like cacti.

I sure hope you can get them cleared up. Let me know what Al has to say. Meanwhile, I need to do more research myself.

From my understanding, mealy bugs can infect any kind of plant but they have their favorites. I too do NOT like chemicals but........same here, I will do whatever I have to, ro keep them healthy. I believe it was on the aloe from the store. Even though I washed everything off when I repotted. Maybe I missed eggs? I didn't really see anything though but the soil they came out of WAS REAL DAMP and I didn't water them at all when I got them. And unfortunately I was working God AWFUL hours last month so I didn't repot them and they sat in it for a month. The top was bone dry. I honestly couldn't believe how damp it was. But it had to be from the store cuz was made me jump up and repot was one whole pot was rotted mush when you touched it. I don't understand how they can look good on the outside but be total NASTINESS on the inside and basically have a blow out when touched. Oh I thought your spider plants were doing good. What's going on with them? When Al gets back to me I'll DEFINATLEY let you know what he says. Good luck with your babies!!