Has anyone seen this on stems?

[DavidU]

On two of my plants I've noticed a reddish/pink growth on a few stems. Perhaps this is some type of mold?  I do spray/mist my plants a few times a day, but these plants are kept indoors in consistent 75 degree temps under T5 lights and a fan.  I tried wiping it off, but it seems to have hardened on the stems and only comes off if I scratch it off.  Hopefully this isn't something really bad.  Any feedback on this is appreciated.

[Kyle]

David,
I have not seen this before.   Just from you saying basement and spraying water multiple times a day is a recipe for mold, fungus,  or algae to grow.   Basements can be humid and stagnant especially in  spring and summer without a dehumidifier.   It might be a good idea to monitor the humidity down there.  Hibiscus houseplants love to be washed off but there is a time to spray and a time not to spray.    I am really weary about spraying anything on my houseplants.   In the middle of winter when the humidity is 30% or less, I spray my plants 1 time a week or 1 time every 2-3 weeks.   I only spray if there is a reason to like dust, webbing or mites under the leaves.    You can try spraying a 3 in 1 product like Bayer or Neem oil on that pink stuff to see if it clears up.  
Kyle

[DavidU]

Kyle,

Thanks for the input.  These plants are kept in a spare room in my apartment, not in the basement, but your point about the humidity is well taken in either circumstance. I keep two open windows in the room as well to keep fresh air in there. The humidity in the room is approximately 35-45% currently.  If the humidity gets too high, I usually put fans on as well. With that said, I always thought that hibiscus like high levels of humidity, but perhaps this only pertains to outdoor plants?  I spray my plants with a fair amount of supernova, even indoors, but perhaps this is a mistake too...

[Kyle]

David,
For some reason I thought these plants were in a basement and must of been thinking of another grow area. I think your right about how hibiscus like humidity, but to much humidity indoors can favor mold or a fungus to grow on areas of the plant that are always getting wet.      I'm a big fan of Ascophyllum Nodosum and other kelps, which is why I like to use SuperNova but I don't foliar feed indoors or outdoors because it calls for unwanted things to grow.   SuperNova is super concentrated/fertile and the combination of light, water, and nutrients is fueling what ever is growing, I think. 
If you can completely cut out 1 of those 3, it should help clear up.    I still think a 3 in 1 product will help clear it up quicker.
If your adding SuperNova to the fertilizer water or using the Houseplant Formula, that should be enough to where you don't need to foliar feed any extra into the leaves.    It appears your plants are doing just fine. 
Kyle
 

[Charlie]

It's nothing to worry about. Some hibiscus show this type of waxy stuff from time to time but it does not spread nor hurt the plant. I don't know exactly what it is (seems to be something exuded from the plant) but have seen it on certain varieties over the year without any problems associated with it.

Charlie