Mites!

[rcb]

I've mentioned before that Catsetum Alliance plants definitely attract mites. And I've fought them every summer that I've been growing these kinds of plants.

But I was hoping here in FL this year, with our really high humidity they wouldn't be a problem. Well I was wrong. Here we go again. Discovered a bad infestation yesterday afternoon, almost as if they popped up overnight.

The interesting thing, is about 10 days ago, I sprayed all my plants with Bayer 3 N 1 which says it is a miticide as well. So much for that.

So I've gone back to my tried and true method - Neem oil. I sprayed early this morning, will spray again tomorrow and the next day, wait a couple days and then do another 3 days in a row.

Wish me luck!

[Brooke]

Sorry you're having problems - spider mites are the worst.

If you read the literature with the Bayer product you will notice it doesn't say it will eliminate the mites, just reduce the problem. Imacloprid is an insecticide not a mitecide.

If you continually have problems you might invest in a mitecide. They are expensive but they also kill the eggs, not just the active mites. Do you have any orchid friends around you can split the cost?

Brooke

[Leathal]

Awww dang...I better go check mine now. I just through out a Cat because of scales. I've been fighting those for months. Then all of a sudden on one plant they were thick on the leaves. Hope you get rid of yours, I'm sure you have lots more plants than I do.

[rcb]

Brooke - Nope no one around here in my little town that I know of. I know Neem works, it's what I've used every year, and usually it's just a one time bad infestation, and as long as you're diligent about the application, it will work.

Funny thing about the Bayer - it has more than just the imidicloprid. The label on front specifically says it kills spider mites. I usually just used the imidicloprid product, but specifically bought the 3 N 1 to try something different. The main reason I sprayed was for caterpillers - it's that time as well lol

It's kind of odd how attracted the mites are to the Ctsm. I could find no evidence of the mites on the Vandas, Gongoras, Catts, Dens etc that are all within 10 ft of the Catasetums.

Leathal - I'm sure you are fine. I guess the one good thing about mites, is there is no hiding for them. They make themselves very apparent quite quickly, they don't hide like mealies or scale. Also they seem to prefer the leaves to buds or spikes.

[Stitz]

Brooke,

What do YOU recommend as an effective miticide product, please? I'm not particularly concerned with the costs considering the cost of LOST plants...

I was terribly saddened to lose a few outstanding Calathea plants a couple of years ago....as in CCE type plants except that I don't know of a Calathea awarding org up here in Md.

[lmartiny]

I have a question. What I've read on spider mites is that you will see a fine web in the base of the pot. I'm finding spider webs over the tops of plants in our patio. Are these just spiders? I'm quite concerned about the condition of my newer big Den. It was covered then I returned from our trip and it looks bad. I think I'll put it up for a look-see and some advice.

[rcb]

Lynne, I don't get webs at the base. I get webs on the undersides of the leaves. And you can see fine spotting on the leaves, from where they are sucking the juices out. As the mites hang out on the undersides of the leaves, the first indication of them I usually see is this spotting. Then you take a look and see the webs.

I do get spiders that build webs on my plants. I usually leave them alone, until it is time to bring them inside for winter.

[digitalgate]

Originally Posted by Brooke

Sorry you're having problems - spider mites are the worst.

If you read the literature with the Bayer product you will notice it doesn't say it will eliminate the mites, just reduce the problem. Imacloprid is an insecticide not a mitecide.

Brooke

I wouldn't say spider mites is the worst. They are controlled with white oil or neem oil. It just take some work in keeping them at bay. I kept my plant outdoor so I never know what out there. At least mite dont come back when I do my weekly spray of white oil and neem oil. However, the worst is

Grasshopper, snail, slug which is difficult to control as there is little chemical to control them. Another RATS! even more difficult to control, squirrel too.
so i woke up early to kill them, return in the evening hours to catch them in action.

[Ms...Mary]

Last night at 2 am looking at a Vanda in a Basket I noticed very small black dots
seen them before but these very small dots moved. Ow boy !!!!!!!!!!!!
What are they. I sprayed with Alchohol.
Will check again tonight.

[JungleMel]

I've used neem in the past and it definety works after a few applications. I used alcohol to pick off any adults that I saw too. The problem with the Bayer 3 in 1 is it only kills the adults, you would have to use mutliple applications of that too to catch the adults before they have a chance to lay more eggs. What a huge pain. I had those nastly little red spidermites on a masdie over the winter that luckily was in new purchase quarantine anyway at the time.

Good luck killing those, I'm still checking leaves in case they make a comeback.