Tropicals & Tender Perennials: Broadmites, 1 by bettydee

bettydee wrote:
Barbara, I've had broadmites a few times. The leaves are deformed. What little new growth occurs, is small and very, very deformed, but never sticky. The stickiness could be due to the organicide you used. You might, however, have spidermites. Check the underside of the leaves. If you have spidermites, you will see fine webbing. Leaves will look stippled, turn yellow with some browning along the edges. Take a sheet of white paper, place it underneath a leaf and tap the top of the leaf. The spidermites knocked off will show up on the paper. Broadmites are microscopic and can't be seen with the naked eye. Forbid or Avid are used on broadmites. These insecticides are very expensive so be sure you do have broadmites. Not much else works against broadmites. Deformed leaves could also be caused by nutrient deficiencies, winter blahs, or something. I have a few small Brugs that showed signs of broadmite damage this winter. I sprayed with Avid, but didn't see any difference in what little growth there was. Now that the temperatures are more consistently warmer, about 1/2 of the plants are putting out normal looking leaves

Spidermites are easier to get rid of. Neem oil will work against them.