Two of my 5 Brugs have a "grainy" appearance on their leaves. Anyone know what causes this?
Grainy Leaves
Can you get a picture Karrie? Im sure that would help. Is the grainy on the top or bottom of the leaves?
A picture would help,and if you know which one it is,does it look like a mosaic?is it on new leaves or older ones?
they are the Suave X. (I have 4 of them) - and it's effecting one of my big ones that is just starting to Y and a smaller one. The one with the Y I posted before doesn't have it. My camera isn't working at all right now. Tiny yellow dots, that is causing a grainy look and feel. It is on the larger, older leaves. The yellow specks (tiny) are on top of the leaves.
Russ is trying to get the a picture of it and then I will post it. He took a screwdriver (yikes) to it.
This message was edited Aug 15, 2004 3:08 PM
Here is a pic - sorry for the delay
Karrie, I'm far from an expert! This is my first full year of brugs.....but I would have to say spider mites, or mites of some kind. Someone will be along soon to let you know. Good luck!
I'm no expert either, but my leaves looked and felt like that after spidermites became part of my life. Hope it's not true for you.
linda in Victoria BC
Looks like mites to me also.
Yep, my vote would be spider mites, also.
oh just lovely. is there a way to get rid of them besides a water spray? If I have to go "un" organic, that is fine, since they are in pots.
I would head for your local WalMart or other similar store and get something that is labeled to control spider mites. Other than that.....hope for humidity. They don't like it.
a double "lovely" - I live in a very dry climate (high desert).
Thank you so much for your input! I will go shopping now!
(I just doused them real good with a hard spray of water for now, since they are in momentary shade)
Looks like spider mites to me too. You can try insecticidal soap or neem first - maybe that will get rid of them if you keep reapplying it. Don't bother with regular insecticides not specifically labelled for use against mites - mites are arachnids, not insects, so most chemicals that kill insects have no effect on mites. Read the label carefully before you buy anything. See if you can find something called 'Kelthane' - it's relatively inexpensive for a miticide. You may be able to find it at a good garden center/nursery.
Shoot, something's wrong with me today. I posted the same thing twice!
This message was edited Aug 15, 2004 7:17 PM
Try MaVie's recipe of Palmolive/Alcohol or Hydrogen Peroxide/Water. Works great in a pressure sprayer! You have to do it every day for a week or so, but its going to be the same routine with any insecticidal soap. I have battled them on and off all summer, ugh!
Also, make sure you thoroughly we the undersides of the leaves and the tight little areas where new leaves emerge. They love to hide in those little nooks and crannies!
Karrie I have the same thing on mine now and I am spraying with the same mixture and technique as above. I take a bottle sprayer and add two TBS of Hydrogen Peroxide, Plus two TBS of Alcohol and one TSP of dish soap. Palmolive works good but you can use others. It will work if you keep at it.
Karrie , if they are Spider mites you should be able to see webbing. Look at the intersections of leaf and stem and under leaves in the pockets created by the leafs veins.
MaVies spray (every 3 days) will work but you still should know what you are dealing with.
This link may help
http://www.naturescontrol.com/image/thrips_damage.jpg
I recently had the same problem but could find no mites. Upon inspection under the leaves with my loupe I found thrips. I did not see larvae tho.
This message was edited Aug 15, 2004 11:11 PM
The solution to my thrip infestation was to strip all leaves except for a few new ones at the top of stems and Spray MaVies and alternate with 1 to 1 water and alcohol plus a squirt of dish soap , every 3 days . Looks funny but the leaves grow back quickly and yes , my buds kept on developing and blooming through all this =)
Sprayed a total of 3 times and the plant has recovered beautifully.
You will need a magnifying glass or jewlers loupe to see these lil buggers ....
This message was edited Aug 15, 2004 11:14 PM
I have to say that sometimes, actually most times that I've had spider mites on brugs outside, I have not been able to see webbing. I just feel the grit under the leaves and know that is what it is. In the house during the winter, I can see the webbing very clearly.
Brugie , can you see the webbing after misting ? I've found this makes them easier to see . With the thrips , it felt gritty and then my finger felt slick after rubbing under the leaf. Must have been all the unborn thrip eggs I SQUISHED !!
Never expected "squishing bugs" would make me happy *demented laugh*
Brugie... I wish that humidity was a deterant to spider mites.. unfortunately, its not.. we have high humidity here and the mites are taking over
http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/insect/05507.html
Here is a good site on the spider mite. What to do and what you cant see.
This message was edited Aug 16, 2004 7:18 PM
Boy Trish, when it gets hot and dry here is when they move in. I hate the little buggers. So, I guess it really doesn't make any difference...you are going to get them some time. I didn't have them at all last year or during the winter, but here they come.................