Tips for dealing with spider mites (PLEASE HELP!!):_(
 

In the spring, I purchased a plant that had spider mites (I obviously did not know that at the time). The greenhouse I purchased it from used biological methods of controlling pests.- I think they use lady bugs or something. Anyways, they clearly didn't eat all of the bugs because I bought two plants on the same day-- one with MEALY BUGS, and then another that had SPIDER MITES. I isolated those two plants, but over the past month, the other orchids are showing sign of spider mite infestation ( I think I have the mealies under control). Last weekend, I sprayed three blooming phals, because I spotted mites on their petals, and now ALL the blooms are gone. This doesn't really bother me-- I just want all the plants to live, and the spider mites to LEAVE!!

Luckily, I have been catching the plants before the infestation gets bad. I have been spraying with Safer's insecticidal soap. Now I have decided to spray all the plants at once, once a week. Would this be a good method? I also have a Odontocidium a Miltoniopsis an Oncidium Twinkle AND a Sharry Baby in spike. They seem to be okay from their last spraying, but I do not want to hurt their spikes (if possible)

Also, I have fungus on LOTS of my plants too, even though I have never had an issue before this summer, and have been spraying weekly with safer's defender.

any help/ advice would be great :)

Thanks
Cam

Hi Cam,

Spray all the plants at once is the better strategy; about killing mites & fungus, the best choice is mancozeb, that is fungincide and miticide in one product, medium toxicity. In Brazil we have two brand names, Dithane PM and Manzate, dose 3g/liter of water; you'll need a complete IPE to spray this chemical.

You used to be able to get Kelthane which was specicifically registered for mites, but in leu of this I would recommend Schultz Garden Safe Fungicide 3 which is supposed to be effective against mites. No guarantees from me :)

I had spider mites on my cymbidium during the spring. I wiped each leaf with a sponge full of 70% alcohol and a bit of water. That got rid of most of them, but since they were hiding between the leaves where they come from the bulbs, I went for more drastic and permanent method of eradication. I used a miticide with dicofol in it. It's works extremely well. You need o take precautions when using such chemicals since they are pretty dangerous!

That's why Kelthane and others are no longer avaialable in certain countries. If you can get it, maybe we can work out a trade?

You can't get it in the US any more? I'm actually surprised to still find Kelthane and other brands available in France (don't know about other EU countries). The EU got rid of many dangerous chemicals this year, with more set to go at the end of the year. Yet this one is not set to be taken off the shelves any time soon it appears.

Want to make a deal? :evil:

The only success I have ever had in dealing with spider mites was with malithion. I tried insectical soap, alcohol, and something else, but I can't remember what. Cut the spikes on the ones that the mites ate. That is where they seem to be most fond of, the spikes, buds and flowers. I would leave the spikes on the 2 developing ones though. Treating all of them at once is necessary, and probably once a week for at least a month. They have several life stages, and I don't think you can really kill the eggs so you have to keep treating.

As for fungus, if what you have started using is working, the stay with it. If not, I started using Physan 20 recently and it seems to work great so far. Lots of people her recommend it.

The malithion will work for most pests too, so it is a good thing to have around. Very very stinky though...almost rotten egg stinky. Good luck and let us know if you need more help.

You can buy nothing down here anymore. Fruit juice would be the strongest, it terrible :roll:

I use dish soap and water - spray down, fan a few minutes later until dry. I do this every 3 days for 2 weeks - Mist down the days you don't use the soapy water mix.
Safers insectical soap has never worked well for me.

I bought Keltane in the US. they took it off the market then put it back . stinks to high heaven but works . Gin