Solution To Spider Mite Problem? Fukien

treue

I have what I believe to be a spider mite infestation. The bugs are very, very small, pale orange in color, and seem to congregate on the stems of new shoots and flowers. Does this sound like spider mites? Does anyone have a good, safe technique for using certain insectisides for this problem? Thanks.

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doody

Sounds like mites to me, but make sure before you do anything. Try doing a search on mites. I recently had mites on my Hillier Elms. It was a pretty bad infestation that almost killed all four elms. I was loosing leaves rapidly, And didn't have many left. I made a remidy in the kitchen that worked. I filled up a 1qt spray bottle with water, added 1tbs liquid dishsoap, two garlic cloves, and a pinch of crushed red pepper. I spray'd the leaves and soil every 3days untill there wasn't a sign of the mites. They have'nt returned and my trees have lots of new growth. So, they are doin OK.

erubeck

Be very careful what you spray on Fukien Teas. They are very sensitive to chemicals. I have been fairly successful using neem oil which has worked for almost everything but mealy bugs. I'm still trying to figure out how to get rid of them.

Ed

Moni

There are many plants that can be sensitive to chemical sprays but you also have to be careful of the ones made in the kitchen. The first recipe you were given can be very, very useful but sometimes the everyday soaps can burn plants more than you would expect. If you go that route, test it first on a small section of your tree. Personally, I would just use Insecticidal Soap, but I would also test that first. Same with Neem.
Mites can be very stubborn to get rid of and they need to be sprayed more than once. But you should need a magnifying glass to see them. If they are quite obvious to the naked eye, they are something else. Take a piece of white paper and hold it under an area that you think they are, give the branch a shake and see if some black specks land on the paper. Rub your hand over the black specks and if they leave red marks you have mites.
Moni

erubeck

As a follow up to my previous post I found a spray made by Fertilome that was successful in controlling Mealy Bugs. Led in my search by an article in Bonsai Today I looked for a product containing "pyrethrins". Fertilome's Red Spider & Mite Spray did the trick. I found it at a local nursery for $5.98. It also controls Red Spider Mites, Two-Spotted Spider Mites, Whiteflies, Aphids, Thrips, and Scale Crawlers.

Earl

Just seconding Ed's recommendation of Neem Oil. I found it to be the most effective spray that if used on a regular program, keeps just about all bugs away. It is also relatively environmentally safe. Do a search on Bonsai Talk. There was a lot of past info on it but I don't know if it all got transferred to the new site. I used to use it on Orchids...it wouldn't even harm the flowers, but it would get the bugs. Haven't found a tree yet that is harmed by it.

Earl

treue

I decided to try the garden hose on my bug problem, and it worked. I've had no bugs for about three weeks now. All it took was a careful and complete washing with a semi-sharp stream of water. You have to get your face right up close to see that you're getting all the little bastards off, but after about ten minutes of that, they were all vanquished. Thanks to all with your help.

Whimsical

Treue, you may see a reinfestation in a couple days, once the eggs hatch. I ,also, stand with the others in recommending neem oil. The only real problem I ever get is with these little bastards, and neem takes care of it everytime. I use neem almost excusively for all my plants. Its cheap, effective, and most importantly biodegradeable. That last reason is the real clencher. Not to sound self-righteous, but I don't think anyone has any business using any of the toxic pesticides without thoroughly exhausting all eco-friendly possibilities(including water torture). I'm kind of intolerant of anyone who just sprays poison to avoid having to work a little harder.