Time for another refill! The good news is that it doesn't look like the scale are attacking the roots.
I did discover some hiding around the base of the plant where the foliage was touching the ground, so I am moving the dirt away as I work and drenching the base of the plants thoroughly.
I have removed the mature leaves and left primarily the small tightly connected young leaves. I have not observed any scale between the young leaves so I think this will be ok and leave the plants with enough greenery to continue photosynthesis and growth (this is one of my two peak growing seasons... when the weather cools down in fall, and when it warms up in spring). If I completely defoliate the plants I am concerned that they will be stunted...which I would like to avoid if I can!
It has been interesting to observe that certain plants are more susceptible than others...and it may be something to do with the chemistry/flavor of the fluids in the plant that the scale suck...but actually I am beginning to suspect it has more to do with the shape and tightness of the connection between the separate leaves in the fan. There are some plants that seem to be too tight for the scale to thrive, and some that are so open and loose that the scale don't seem to like them. It's the 'in-betweeners" where I seem to be finding the thriving communities of scales!
