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Re: Spider Webs on plants

MoonsWife@aol.com wrote:
> 
> Hi all,
> Not sure what the bugs are, can't see any of those, but my Banana Croton
> (according to name tag provided) has spider webs all over it.  So does the
> Codiaeum 'Petra' sitting on the opposite end of same shelf.  The Schefflera,
> Dracaena (Surclosa), and Dracaena (Janet Craig Compacta) between them look
> sorta "dusty" but no visible Spider webs yet.  This happened since last
> watering which was day before yesterday.  The only thing that's happened
> since then is I brought my huge Hibiscus in from outside all summer.  From
> what I can tell, the Hibiscus doesn't have any bugs or webs though!
> As to the Hibiscus, since bringing it in, some of the smaller leaves on top
> have begun to "curl up."  The larger leaves, from about midway down, are
> still normal looking.  So far, no visible yellowing, or falling of leaves.
> What can I do to help my plants?   If store products mentioned, please give
> specific names.  I'd hate to think I was buying a "cure" for them and end up
> killing them!!!
> Thanks for such a helpful group,
> Kathy


Bad news, Kathy. You have spider mites. I've had this take out a whole
plant population, so I would immediately isolate the affected plants
from the others. Mine came in on a Croton, so I've avoided getting one
since. Schefflera is also very susceptible. Probably your newest puchase
brought the pest in, but it sounds like you've had the infestation for a
while. By the time you see actual webs, it's fairly far advanced.

If one plant seems to have a worse infestation than the others, it's
probably the original host (again, suspect the Croton!). If so, get
unsentimental fast, and throw it away, or risk losing most of your
plants.

The dracena is pretty resistant to spider mites, and may make it,
especially if you isolate it now (at least a room away). For the
infested plants, quarantine them and then hit them with Malathion. It's
pretty strong stuff, and you'll have to ventilate, keep your pets away,
etc. I let it sit on the plants for a week, and then repeat. Concentrate
on new growth, which is what the buggers like best. Then, after another
week, spray the plants down really well to remove traces before bringing
the plants to a place where any pets might come into contact with it.

I don't know where you live, but if it's still above freezing, you might
be able to do this in a garage. Your plants won't appreciate full sun if
you're in the south. I use an enclosable tub in my guest bathroom - put
the plants in the tub, spray and close the enclosure. Turn the fan on
for at least a day after you spray, or at least keep a window open for a
few hours.

You may lose some plants, or parts of plants, but at least you won't
lose all of them.

Anybody else find anything less strong than Malathion that has worked? I
sure haven't - everything else has just wasted time while more plants
died.

To help prevent in the future, keep in mind that spider mites love dry
air. I have installed a whole house humidifier for my plants and
sinuses, since our air is so dry here, I have a house full of plants and
spider mites are a very common pestilence. I keep no Crotons or
Scheffleras, and I have a lot of Dracenas, since the mites don't seem to
like them much.

-Dell, Denver, Zone 5
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