I'm posting this same photo because I just looked them all over, and the mites are much worse than expected.
My AVs have spider mites. It's my fault for using systemic to treat thrips, systemic causes spider mites to go into an egg laying frenzy. Many of my other plants have them too, but treating those will be fine.
However, I am SCARED to spray my violets! Don't they hate wet leaves? How do I fix them without also stressing or killing them?
I was planning to use a mix of Azamax, neem oil, and castile soap for the mites, and it should work. But do I need to use a lower concentration for the violets?
I'm very overwhelmed, and my CFS has been awful lately. So, they've been like this awhile. Every plant and prop has them, and I can SEE mites. It's bad.
*****I CANNOT use beneficial insects, due to having pet spiders that may be bothered by predatory bugs*****
by stinkles69
5 Comments
It can take more than a year to fight mites. At this point sad to say, just cut your losses💔
You can put plastic wrap around the bottom of the plant to hold in place the potting mix and dunk the plant in a bucket of soapy water. Keep the lights off until the leaves dry. Make sure the water is room temperature or a bit warmer. The African Violet is fine with wet leaves as long as it’s not cold and not in the sun/light. Growers spray them with water and bug spray in the morning in the greenhouses and grow rooms.
Predatory mites can be used in vivaria, depending on species.
In general, they favor dry conditions, so increase the humidity. They move around on you, so check every plant you have.
I’m going to go ask a buddy about some IPM stuff.
My experience is Violets don’t hate wet leaves. For the love of God they grow outside. What they do hate is when their leaves are wet and they’re in bright sun. That sun will magnify through the water, droplet and burn the leaf.
If you have to spray, they should be fine just don’t put them under bright light or sunlight.
I’ve never had to treat for bugs so somebody else might have better advice though
If you don’t have many plants, take them to a room away from your spiders, spray them with a miticide, and tie them in a large, clear, plastic bag after watering them for a week. Open it up after a week, air the plant out a little, spray it again, and seal it back up for another week. You might lose a few leaves, but a similar strategy worked for me for thrips. The humidity and pesticide worked perfectly in combo to kill the eggs, juveniles, and adult thrips. Also wipe down your plant room, shelves and furniture to get rid of the spider mites there.Â
I usually use beneficial mites myself and I can’t see them bothering a larger spider but I definitely could be wrong, so I agree you’re better off not attempting that particular remedy.