Crotons and Spider Mites

Dypsisdean

Dypsisdean

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28/09/07
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Big Island of Hawaii - Kona
Since I'm new to Crotonland - (like I need another obsession) - I have heard Spider Mites mentioned twice already.

Is that a major problem with these plants? Every plant category has a "biggest problem." With Crotons, is it these little guys?
 
Yes, among a few other things.
Bayers 3:1 Systemic hose end sprayer works miracles for spider mites. It is one of the few that actually kill the RED spider mites....as most others are not specific to this type of mite.

Croton scale....another story.
 
And thanks for a pretty wet spring and summer(so far), spider mites have not been a problem. They usually present more of a problem during the dry months, winter through spring, until the rains come.


Jeff
 
Ray,
Yes it does help...but unless you use the 3:1 regularly (every say, 6 weeks) it does creep up on you (pun intended!).

It is expensive ... about $16/bottle, but it does keep your croton collection looking pristine.
 
Dypsis Dean-

Here in Florida, spider mites can be a major pest especially in the dry season. Your weather pattern on the Big Island is definitely different than peninsular Florida. During the winter dry season, spider mites can thrive esp in lower humidity and lack of rain to wash them off the leaves (another reason not to plant them under the eaves of a builiding - no washing/rinsing action to get rid of them.

As mentioned earlier, Bayer 3:1 is a good prophylaxis and treatment even if a bit pricey. Coffee grounds may be effective prophylaxis and treatment. For more info on coffee grounds, see Tom Broome's article at The Cycad Society's web site. Caoffee grounds are cheap and cannot hurt.

Onward through the fog...
 
i seem to have 2 crotons that always have mites is it unheard of to have crotons next to these and they never get them
crotons around these even touching them are clean but 2 species always seem loaded
 
johnnyd said:
i seem to have 2 crotons that always have mites is it unheard of to have crotons next to these and they never get them
crotons around these even touching them are clean but 2 species always seem loaded
Click to expand...


My Dr Brown is a mite motel. They just love this one & all around it, perfectly clean.
 
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