Passiflowers and Spider Mites Question

Hello All.

As most of you know, I am a Passiflora afficiando and carefully tend (and fuss over) my small collection. Fortunately, the only pests I ever deal with are spider mites. I loathe using insecticides, so I rely mostly on lots of spraying/showering with water, pruning and vigilance. I harbor the fanciful illusion that I will eliminate them someday.

I've always wondered why spider mites attack some Passiflora species/hybrids and not others.

For example, for me, spider mites are a constant battle with P. incarnata, P. 'Incense', P. 'Lady Margaret', P. loefgrenii and P. murucuja.

I have never seen a single spider mite on P. caerula, P. citrina, P. edulis, P. mollissima (which is now classified as P. tripartita var. mollissima, by the way), P. 'St. Rule' or P. subpeltata.

I move my plants around all the time so they regularly intermix.

Are there really chemical differences between Passiflora species/hybrids that make them more or less appealing to spider mites?

I would appreciate any comments.

Regards,

Erick

Erick, I noticed the same thing, some are attracted to certain types, others aren't bothered. interesting observation.

You can spray the plants on the undersides with just tap water several times a day that can discourage them.I use that method with crotons.



I use a spray bottle from the $ store and set on wide fine mist.

Kyle :-)

Gosh, glad to know it's more than just me with that problem. I've tried everything including coppicing and I still had them on Passiflora when nothing else would. I wish I had had a solution. I just gave up and moved on to trailing Pelargoniums.

Wimp, huh?

I think it depends on the texture of the leaves if its soft they like it if its rough they dont its the same with the Fritally cat paul

I used this biological control in my greenhouse this winter with excellent results.

http://www.biconet.com/biocontrol/persimilis.html

I appreciate all the great feedback, suggestions and advice. Thank you.

Thank you Kyle. Helpful advice, as always. Do you suppose that some Passifloras simply contain chemical compounds that are distasteful to spider mites?

watersedge, you are not a wimp. Spider mites have ruined many, many gardening dreams. They are simply gardening evil.

Paul, to your point (thank you)....In general, that is true. But I have a number of Passifloras with "thin" fleshy leaves - P. subpeltata, P. 'St. Rule', P. caerula, etc. - that are never bothered by spider mites, even if they are intertwined a bit with an infested plant. There must be something chemical going on.

ByndeweedBeth, thank you for the most interesting suggestion. I am intriqued and will be looking more into this approach.

Erick

Clear Ivory dishwashing liquid in a sprayer, or Murphy's Oil soap.
Two tablespoons to a quart bottle.