Now I've seen everything

[Than]

I noticed that my little neem tree hasn't been looking great recently and I assumed it was because of the small pot and the poor medium; I decided I'd not repot till springtime and it would have to be patient. Even though many of my plants suffer with spider mites, I was sure neem tree would be the one tree in this world that couldn't catch spider mites.. for obvious reasons. Well, surprise surprise! Under the microscope I discovered a bad infestation! How is this possible? I had to remove most leaves and wash the rest.. Now all my small plants are officially infested with spider mites. The bigger ones for some reason have escaped. Perhaps spider mites can't jump.

 

[Silas_Sancona]

With 1,200 or so species, no surprise there's one -or a few- species of spider mite  that can utilize Neem  and /or other plants that produce chemical compounds that one would assume would thwart attacks..  Much like other insects  which can consume Oleander / others that eat the leaves of Milkweeds, etc...

As far as getting around, they spread by catching a ride on the wind ..AKA " Ballooning",   like baby spiders do.

 Funny ...and kind of unsettling....  to think that when you breathe,  you might be inhaling Spider Mites.

Hear they taste like Black Pepper,  LOL.. 😂

Deer / other animals that are capable of consuming the leaves off Poison Oak / Ivy  -without any effect-  is definitely a " Huh, that's interesting " kind of moment.

[metalfan]

After using it for a while. I came to the conclusion that Neem Oil is terrible for my plants. I ditched it over 10 years ago.

[happypalms]

You must have low humidity, are you keeping the plant out of the weather keeping the foliage dry? Mites love low humidity and if you hose the foliage they seem to not affect the plants.

[Than]

On 10/31/2024 at 1:12 PM, happypalms said:

You must have low humidity, are you keeping the plant out of the weather keeping the foliage dry? Mites love low humidity and if you hose the foliage they seem to not affect the plants.

I spray some plants in the summer but the air is so dry that the water evaporates within a minute. Plus the sun may burn the leaves where the droplets are sitting. I am thinking of installing fog sprayers and spray the plants twice every night. Do you think that night time spraying the leaves will help? 

[Than]

On 10/29/2024 at 9:26 PM, metalfan said:

After using it for a while. I came to the conclusion that Neem Oil is terrible for my plants. I ditched it over 10 years ago.

So many people swear by it but it hasn't worked for me. 

[Than]

On 10/29/2024 at 12:40 AM, Silas_Sancona said:

With 1,200 or so species, no surprise there's one -or a few- species of spider mite  that can utilize Neem  and /or other plants that produce chemical compounds that one would assume would thwart attacks..  Much like other insects  which can consume Oleander / others that eat the leaves of Milkweeds, etc...

As far as getting around, they spread by catching a ride on the wind ..AKA " Ballooning",   like baby spiders do.

 Funny ...and kind of unsettling....  to think that when you breathe,  you might be inhaling Spider Mites.

Hear they taste like Black Pepper,  LOL.. 😂

Deer / other animals that are capable of consuming the leaves off Poison Oak / Ivy  -without any effect-  is definitely a " Huh, that's interesting " kind of moment.

I now wonder what to do with all those potted plants that supposed to be planted in the ground in April. Many (most) of them had spidermites in the summer. Not anymore but I suspect the devils are still hiding in the soil. If I just throw them away I will be left with 10 plants in total.. 

[Silas_Sancona]

44 minutes ago, Than said:

I now wonder what to do with all those potted plants that supposed to be planted in the ground in April. Many (most) of them had spidermites in the summer. Not anymore but I suspect the devils are still hiding in the soil. If I just throw them away I will be left with 10 plants in total.. 

Why toss them?   As long as they are alive and healthy otherwise,  who gives a >>>>> what they look like cosmetically  atm..  

Get them through the winter, and plant immediately after winter breaks..  Simple as that..

[happypalms]

6 hours ago, Than said:

I spray some plants in the summer but the air is so dry that the water evaporates within a minute. Plus the sun may burn the leaves where the droplets are sitting. I am thinking of installing fog sprayers and spray the plants twice every night. Do you think that night time spraying the leaves will help? 

Iam not a fan of neem oil either @metalfan is correct it’s not good for my plants either. After all it’s a plant from India they would sell anything to the worl🤣, I have been there and the street vendors offer you all sorts of elixirs to do miracles for all sorts of body parts imaginable. Wetting plants  at night is not a good thing for disease and fungus creating a wet environment for to long,  wet foliage for continuous periods overnight is not good. In summer it would dry pretty quick but with low air temperatures it’s a recipe for disaster in winter. 

[Than]

23 hours ago, Silas_Sancona said:

Why toss them?   As long as they are alive and healthy otherwise,  who gives a >>>>> what they look like cosmetically  atm..  

Get them through the winter, and plant immediately after winter breaks..  Simple as that..

Well, cos they will infect everything else in the garden I guess. My garden will be a spidermite party. 

[Than]

16 hours ago, happypalms said:

Iam not a fan of neem oil either @metalfan is correct it’s not good for my plants either. After all it’s a plant from India they would sell anything to the worl🤣, I have been there and the street vendors offer you all sorts of elixirs to do miracles for all sorts of body parts imaginable. Wetting plants  at night is not a good thing for disease and fungus creating a wet environment for to long,  wet foliage for continuous periods overnight is not good. In summer it would dry pretty quick but with low air temperatures it’s a recipe for disaster in winter. 

Oh yeah, of course I was talking about summer time only, when spider mites are thriving. I will try to spray the plants in the evening when it is hot and only when humidity is low. I hope it helps.