Help diagnosing spider mite damage

[Fredmax]

Hi,

I have no experience with spider mites and at one point saw little red spiders on my phals and wasn't sure if they would help against the mealy bugs, so I googled 'red spider orchids' and got pictures of red spider orchids

I'm learning now I may have an infestation as signs seem to point to that, the leaves on this Gramatophyllum were perfect when I bought it around 10 weeks back and have watched them develop blemishes like many other of my acquisitions, I'm hoping an experienced growers could see if these pictures indicate spider mite damage? Nothing came off when I wiped the leaves with tissue so am unsure if it's just a fungus.

For treatment I'm starting with Eco oil and mancozeb as the most readily available products that may help, I also have spinosad and pyrethrum if that doesn't help but don't want to douse plants if that isn't the issue.

I'd love to learn how to make life better for plants in my care.

Thanks
Fred

[rbarata]

You might find this page very educative.

[Fredmax]

Originally Posted by rbarata

You might find this page very educative.

Thanks yes that's where I got the idea to wipe the leaves and look for residue, I'm unable to however identify if the damage in the photo is mite related as I can't see any on inspection but have the hallmark pocked appearance which I assume then turn into fungus spots.

[rbarata]

Usually I use the "sand papered look" as the main suspect signal. The spots can be, as you said, fungus or other things.

[SouthPark]

Fred --- that Yates mancozeb plus miticide combo from bunnings will keep the spidermites under control.

Spray top and bottom of leaves, and stem. And then do it again after a few days or so to get more of them. Have some gentle air movement in the growing area.

Spotting little threads or spider-web stuff on the leaves or under the leaves etc ----- is another sign of spidermites.

The spidermites not too long ago had a good go at one of my juvenile paphs. The Yates product fixed them (mites) up real good. Without the treatment, my juvenile paph (vietnamense) would have been history for sure.

[Fredmax]

Thanks for that Southpark, I'm glad the Yates Mancozeb will work on mites (I heard commonly available products may not suffice) and that it's safe on a young Paph.
I have a flask of P Vietnamense I was too scared too open given my current challenge. I'll go ahead and start applying to the noticeable victims then eventually to all as a preventative if no adverse effects are noticed.

rbarata - the silver sandpapery/ghost leaf appearance has become commonplace on my Dendrobiums and got to the point of binning them as I couldn't help them once they got to that point and assumed it was cold damage. It's only this week have I now realized this as the result of spider mites, though I've only ever spotted one.

[Oyarzabal]

Avid is the way to go. It is used widely by the pot industry to kill spider mites.
I will no use anything unless I see the mites. Buy a cheap portable "microscope" and check the leaves for mites. You an not see spider mites with your naked eyes.

This is a whole bottle of Avid, but you can buy a little bit on Ebay. This thing is deadly.
Robot Check

small "microscope"

Robot Check

[Fredmax]

I had a look for Avid but looks like it's only sold in US (but made in NZ), the active ingredient looks similar to this local product Stealth

I've been trying to spot the mites with a magnifying app on my phone, I'm sure to spot one soon. Do the pictures look indicative of mite damage?

[Oyarzabal]

@Fredmax. Yes, it is the same active ingredient.
You can get an small amount on Ebay. You do not need much for a plant. Again you can not see the mites with your naked eyes. You need 50x to 60x to see them and still they are small at that magnification. When there is a really bad infection, the mark left are black

> CALI < Delivered in One Day AVID 0.15 EC MITICIDE INSECTICIDE RUSSET MITE, 1oz | eBay


This is what the damage of spider mites looks like.

Pest Control: Spider Mites – My Orchid Diary

[rbarata]

Originally Posted by Fredmax

rbarata - the silver sandpapery/ghost leaf appearance has become commonplace on my Dendrobiums and got to the point of binning them as I couldn't help them once they got to that point and assumed it was cold damage. It's only this week have I now realized this as the result of spider mites, though I've only ever spotted one.

It is nearly impossible to erradicate mites. Your aim is to control their population so that there are not enough to damahe the plants to the point that compromises their development.
Also, when one plant is infested, it means the whole collection is infested too (unless the plants are not in the same room).