Re: spider mites


"Val" <ya-shur@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:1188331041.328456@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Manelli Family" <minelli.family@xxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:fb1rqd$bpb$1@xxxxxxxxxxx

"blackdog" <lkaji@xxxxxxx> wrote in message news:1188270205.539200.11380@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I sprayed them with water every other evening when I watered and that did nothing to get rid of the mites. I don't like using chemicals either but the numbers of mites and number of afflicted plants were totally out of hand. :(

Just spraying isn't going to work unless you also really give a good blast to the under sides of the leaves. They'll hide out where the water doesn't hit. I have a 40° wand type thing that has adjustments for showers/sprays. I turn it so that I can run it close to the ground under the plants and blast the spray UP until everything is good and soaked. This seems to work even during the worst hot weather spider mite attacks with my garden. I use Neem oil as a last resort (white flies...arrgh!) and only spray very late in the afternoon so the Neem is not still wet on the plant the next day to avoid burns. Blasting with water takes care of the spider mites and aphids if you make sure you get under the leaves and in the crooks and crannies, and do this several days in a row.


I have a water wand and did that every other day as best as I could with the garden plants. But then they started to succumb to root rot. Most of the impatiens in the ground have died. I've been growing them for 20 years without a problem. I see improvement in the potted ones as they're showing new growth. I sprayed the hell out of them in the workroom sink and then drenched them in a systemic spray every other day. I think I'll save the potted ones as long as they don't get black-leg like those in the ground. These are the double rose type and I don't want to lose them.

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Relevant Pages

  • Re: Systemic pest killers
    ... I talked to Jerry Fischer at Orchids ... I will spray all the plants before bringing them in next fall. ... Others have said just spraying mites with water is effective. ...
    (rec.gardens.orchids)
  • Re: Watering potted tomatoes
    ... often should they be watered and how much water should they get? ... I cannot grow plants at all. ... If it will make you feel better Mike, ... heavy spray will kind of glue the white fly in place and smother them. ...
    (rec.gardens)
  • Re: Bringing Orchids Indoors
    ... and that's something a spray can cannot ... Plants, Supplies, Artwork, Books and Lots of Free Info! ... I think it is easier on the plants to water them first. ... but you have to spray the mix thoroughly or drench the mix. ...
    (rec.gardens.orchids)
  • Re: Bringing Orchids Indoors
    ... I think it is easier on the plants to water them first. ... usually spray my orchids twice about a week apart. ... but you have to spray the mix thoroughly or drench the mix. ...
    (rec.gardens.orchids)
  • Re: spider mites
    ... I sprayed them with water every other evening when I watered and that did ... nothing to get rid of the mites. ... turn it so that I can run it close to the ground under the plants and blast ... I use Neem ...
    (rec.gardens)