I have just started growing plumerias this spring, but I have been growing and hybridizing brugmansia for many years now. About 3 years ago I started to have problems with the broad/cyclamen type mites on my brugs and other plants. I consider them the bane of my horticultural experience, I HATE these pests with a passion. They are very hard to get under control, and that is with repeated treatments.
Anyway, I looked at all the pest links in the FAQ and other links, but found nothing about plumerias and broad mites. And found nothing on a Google search either.
Have any of you long time plumeria growers ever had to deal with these type of mites? And if you did, would you happen to have pictures of what the damage looks like on plumeria?
Thanks,
David
Plumeria and Broad/Cyclamen Type Mites
Hey Dave,
The mite damage looks like tiny spots (white or rust colored) on the leaves..
The damage starts from the inside going outwards on the leaf (bottom to the top)..
Mites are a problem with plumies grown in Green Houses or outdoor plumies if the area is wet and very little airflow..
They are a pain but they are not too hard to get rid on plumies..
The trick is to treat the whole area and use a product that is oil base..
http://www.plumeria101.com/problems/spider_mites.html
This message was edited Jun 12, 2007 4:22 PM
Here's a picture of mite-infested leaves below. The damage usually appears as white spots, as Robert said, around the leaf stem. I use the same stuff on my plumies as my brugs: Avid, Forbid, Insecticidal Soap, Horticultural Oil, Isotox, etc.
Here is a picture of the back of the leaves.
OUCH Clare that is bad lol..
;=)
That's not typical for me, Robert. It was a neglected one-gallon that was stashed way back in the corner of the greenhouse one year. As you said, it was due to lack of airflow. I get mites when everything is very dry here. They like dry conditions with very little airflow. Last summer, several tropical storms came through, and we had much more humidity than normal, and mites were not even a problem.
Clare and Robert, thank you for your input concerning my question. I really do appreciate it.
But I was asking specifically about the broad and cyclamen species of mites and not spider mites. Even though spider mites are a pain in the rear to deal with, they are mild mannered when compared to the broad/cyclamen mites.
Even though spider mites can be relatively hard to bring under control, they are much easier to deal with than broad/cyclamen mites.
Spider mites make a webbing, hence the name spider mites. And although very small, they can be seen by the naked eye. The broad and cyclamen mites are only visible using a microscope. And you can see the difference in the type of damage they cause to the plants.
Here is a link that has some comparisons between the two types of mites.
http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/plantfinder/IPM.asp?code=234&group=48&level=c
If you have never had to deal with these types of mites, do count your blessings. Over the past 3 years or so they have plagued brugmansia collectors across the US.
Thanks again for your help,
David
Lol David can't really tell you that this mite is or is not a problem with plumies because i deal with so many bugs down here that mites are not my main concern..
Plumies are tough and they handle getting there leaves strip off pretty good..
I think a good oil base product should take care of any mite on a plumie..
You can always buy some predators to eat them..
;=)
i had mites on a plumeria in the gh that was in the corner. this variety of mite thrived in humid conditions. i put the plumie outside and they're gone. i guess the birds could have eaten them. LOL
Interesting thread and thank you for it. I've learned something here about mites. I didn't know about the air-flow problem.
This site contains a wealth of knowledge.