Sticky webby stuff on Gardenia shrub

I am SO thrilled, yesterday after returning from a trip to my former home in CT (Zone 6) to our new home in SC, I was able to pick my very first Gardenia blossom!!! It's so BEAUTIFUL!!! My two gardenia bushes are huge, but they'd been neglected by the previous homeowner(s), and we've babied them since we moved here in September. Now they're full of buds! BUT I am concerned, I've noticed one branch with a sticky web over and around the leaves. Could this be the dreaded spider mites? Any fairly natural way to deal with the problem or will I have to resort to stronger stuff?

You could try the insectasidle soap that is all natural. I'm really not sure but thats what I would start with.

It sounds like spider mites and an infestation is hard to control. If you must go organic you can try insecticidal soap or a plant based insecticide called Pyola (you can order it from Gardensalive.com), but be prepared to be battling this all summer.

I use Orthenex insecticide/fugicide. I make it up in my sprayer and put it on fine mist, making sure i get the top and bottom of all the leaves to the dripping point, I then pour some at the base of the plant so the roots will take it up (it works systemically too). You will want to repeat this in about two weeks and that should take care of the problem.

The critical key to both methods is making sure you saturate the underside of the leaves as well as the top.

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