In article ,
zxcvbob wrote:
As usual, red spiders have attacked and killed most of my indoor
plants this winter. I can overwinter just about anything until about
late January or February, then the spider mites appear out of nowhere
and destroy everything. It's just about time to start planting seeds,
and I don't have them under control yet -- including the one remaining
pepino cutting that's still alive barely.
How to get them under control? I know most insecticides are not
effective because they are not insects. Will soapy water kill them?
How about nicotine sulfate? (I still have an ancient half-bottle of
that stuff.) Or just jack the humidifier way up so the air is almost
dripping in the grow room?
I think I'll try dunking in *very* mild soapy water first, along with
that humidifier thing.
Bob
Old saved post.
Bill
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NNTP-Posting-Date: Sat, 22 Mar 2008 14:55:19 -0500
From: Doug Houseman
Newsgroups: rec.gardens
Subject: key lime tree
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Date: Sat, 22 Mar 2008 15:55:18 -0400
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In article
,
Bill wrote:
In article ,
"Val" wrote:
I wish there was something I could do to get rid of the #%$! spider mite on
my key lime tree. I give a thorough blasting shower once a week. I've
sprayed it numerous times with soap and twice with BioNeem in the past
three
years. This morning when it was getting its regular Saturday shower...WEBS!
There's no other plants in the house with spider mite that I can
tell...I've
even checked them over with my magnifying glass just to make sure I'm not
missing something...most of them also get a shower at least once a month
just to stay clean and healthy looking.
I grew this tree from seed and its now about 4 feet tall, very healthy and
full, except for the persistent spider mites...#%$!!!!
Val
Where do you live Val? My Kaffir Lime has problems usually in early
winter as it gives the soft shell (Scale) time to get it together.
Sometimes. Once it is warm and the plant is outside no problem.
Bill who has been known to scape the creatures off.
If you want them all gone, and it is inside, get a large clear trash
bag, big enough to put over the tree and completely cover it.
Order the smallest set of lady bugs you can find on the web (but at
least 50).
Cut the container for the lady bugs open, but do not dump them out -
cover the tree with the bag, and tie it off on the pot. Then using a
small knife - make a few small holes in the bag - to equalize the
pressure between the two.
Wait - one egg cycle for the ladybugs to do their thing. If it is spider
mites - about 3 weeks for the full life cycle - eggs are about a week.
If you don't like lady bugs you can try - Phytoseiulus persimilis -
commonly called spider mite destroyers.
I prefer lady bugs, because they are large enough to remove when done -
and they go after everything.
I normally put a straw in the bag and then use it to water - if needed.
Doug
--
Garden in shade zone 5 S Jersey USA