I think I have mites !!!

[articuno75]

I don't know, but I think I caught my first case of mites. I don't know, cause I never had them before. I was watering the plants earlier today and noticed that my beloved Neo. Shu Ten Nou had spots on one leaf. The spots are yellow were there is chlorophyll damage. I automatically did a dishsoap/cinnamon spray on all of my plants as a precaution, but here is a picture so you all can see and tell me what you think.....

[brookn]

To me it looks more bacterial. When I had mites they left small pits in the leaves, and there was whitish stuff on the underside of the leaves. I would cut the bad off and treat with cinnamon.

[gongo77]

I would cut it off to be on the safe side.

[sandra]

I agree with both brookn and gongo. Are you growing indoors? Is this near that large Catt. division you're having problems with?

and don't forget...

Quarantine!

[articuno75]

I grow inside by my windows. It wasn't near the Catt until about a month ago I moved all of the small divisions after they were doing better. None of my other babies are showing anything. I had treated all of my plants for bacteria and fungi as a precaution with Bayer and Physan. (Except for the Neos, I used Physan) Okay you can beat me up now.

[articuno75]

Here's a pic of the Catt divides...

[articuno75]

Here's a pic of all my orchids on the other stand...

[evagentry]

your divides look good, I also had a problem with mites this winter, but it was on a nobile type dedrobium ,wen I misted its bare canes I found webbing, I used a spray and after three treatments the problem is gone.

[articuno75]

Well I thought I seen silvery-like threading, but I don't have a jeweler's loop or a magnifying glass. I just freaked and gave the babies a bath

[evagentry]

a bath will help but water alone I dont think it will kill them, if it is mites it will probably take stronger measures.

[articuno75]

Oh not just water, I used dishsoap and cinnamon extract

[evagentry]

I hope it works fo you, they are terrible to get rid of, I have a large lemon tree with mites, and i have had a hard time getting rid of them , I think my orchid got the mites from the tree, maybe off my hands.

[articuno75]

Well I think I'm going to get the scissors and cut it off. Everyone says bacteria, and I don't want to take chances. I can sacrifice a leaf. Must prepare for orchid surgery first thing in the morning. Operation-leaf removal.

[rmt135]

I saw my friend's orchid that was infested with mites & it did not look like yours. My friend's orchid leaf has a few very tiny small mark. Maybe removing the leaf is a better choice.

You surely have your hand full this pass few days. The 12 divisions & now bacteria.

Whooh...........

[articuno75]

Originally Posted by rmt135

I saw my friend's orchid that was infested with mites & it did not look like yours. My friend's orchid leaf has a few very tiny small mark. Maybe removing the leaf is a better choice.

You surely have your hand full this pass few days. The 12 divisions & now bacteria.

Whooh...........

Oh no, These divisions were in far worse shape believe me. They look much better now than a 1 1/2 ago. When it was a big plant there was rot, fungus, sunburn, mechanical damage, bugs, and the bacteria to boot.

I think I'll dip my Neos in Bayer. You don't think that will be too harsh to you?

[rmt135]

Oh no. Not the Bayer.

Please please please be gentle. Don't be too harsh on me....

[articuno75]

LOL! I'm going to dilute it down enough that hopefully it won't scar them. Mix rate is 5 Tablespoons per gallon, so I'll do half that. The leaf hasn't changed and none of the other plants are showing any signs. I think it's just this one that has gotten sick. I gotta flame my little scissors that I have. It's the only thing that I got that is small enough to cut the leaf. After that I'm going to Peroxide, cinnamon and then spray the whole collection.

[articuno75]

Operation complete. Now to bathe everything in BA 3 in 1....

[Camocustom]

has anybody tried a mite/lice spray for REPTILES? I have lots of experience with lots of animals first hand, and they even make it for birds. Im new to orchids, but those of you who have birds know how sensitive they are....companies wouldn't make it if it would kill animals...i will get a list of ingredients. They work very very well. ON reptiles/birds

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Daniel, if you are going to experiment, better pick a plant you don't mind losing. There are plenty of additional chemicals that are used for various mechanical reasons, which are selected to be harmless to the target organism needing help. There isn't too much biologically in common between reptiles and orchids.

Jenny, so far 'Bayer Advanced 3 in 1' has been very gentile on all my orchids, so I would not cringe at its use on any orchid. Just off hand, I would say that the damage on the Neo does not look like mites. Damage from mites often looks like white areas, giving a silvery appearance (from chlorophyll being removed). In the future, don't be so quick on the draw. First get a strong magnifying glass to inspect the backside of the leaves. You might go shopping for a jewelers loupe, around 4 power, to have it for inspecting all your plants, because if it was mites, you will probably find them one one or two other plants as well.

[Camocustom]

i wasnt insinuating that she go ahead and try it. The mites have all the same things in common. With all due respect, reptiles and birds are very sensitive creatures to things like that, did you know silicon in cook pans can kill caged birds nearby. I will be more than happy to spend $12-20 on a plant and lice spray and have a little experiment.