Well it's been a battle and I tried getting them all but spider mites are still on it 🥲 first picture is when I got it and second is today. Its leaves keep falling off and I've had two sprigs wilt, I'm kind of at a loss on what to do here. I'm guessing it's really hard to get them all because of all the grooves the stems have? Does anyone have any ideas at all? I've tried showering it and using neem, do I need to cut my losses?
Additional info:
I water as needed (dry it out then bottom water)
Give it as much natural sun as possible which is only like 3 hours but then I have to put it under grow lights
by The_Platinum_Leaf
2 Comments
Oh I’ve also had it for about 7 months now
Forget the sun if thats the hours you have. put it under your grow lights for 12-16 hours a day. Within 12 inches if its a high wattage grow light and less than 6 inches if its a multi feet long light or a USB powered grow light. You cannot give your plant too much light indoors.
Neem oil is kinda bunk and it smells like arse. You are far better using sulphuric fungicide (which sadly also smells like arse fart) and insecticidal soap for whatever process you are doing.
Typing on a phone so bear with me:
Spider Mites:
Try a sulphuric fungicide + insecticidal soap for 3 full adult lifecycles
Eggs-> larvae-> nymphs-> adults (about 31-45 days total to make 3 cycles.
->Reapply every 5-7 days to catch newly hatched mites until cycle breaks.
Sulfur kills larvae, nymphs, and adults on contact but does not kill the eggs.
Insecicidal soap treat every 5-7 days NOT ON DAYS WHERE YOU APPLY THR FUNGICIDE Spray the soil and wipe the leaves above and below, wipe nicely.
If you are considering continuing neem anyway:
Neem oil is more often than not, harmful and snake oil. It needs to be used with extended knowledge for sure. For those who play it fast and loose It clogs plant pores indefinitely, really doesn’t work the greatest on most pests unless they get smothered by it and has the potential to burn foliage. It’s practically useless on leaf dweller pests and the best thing to come from it is suffocating fungus and juvenile pests in the soil when drenched then rinsed after 24 hours.
It’s cited to be used as a last resort in horticultural settings but I will say, it makes for a great social influencer product to sell. I would never use it or bring it into my home personally.
https://extension.unh.edu/blog/2020/01/what-should-neem-be-used-plants