Red spider resistance...

I found in the internet that ipomoea turbinata is not a host plant of my spider mites (the reason may be that it has either a harder leaf surface than normal MGs or a stronger plant juice smell, but I don't know the plant from personal experience)...Can anybody confirm this by personal experience, i.e. , no mites on turbinata ? Also, the impomoea quamlocit is not greatly liked, I am not saying that it is completely mite-free, BUT the mite likes a soft surface that they can easily pentetrate with their sucking organ (what do we calls this, any entomologist in the community, I wonder...) and also leafes with a big surface (the bigger the better) where they can easily move about, lay eggs etc...

Ooooh, I had a horrible problem with I. quamolcit, the only time it was really happy was when it had tons of moisture, otherwise it was full of mites all the time. I don't think I'll do that one again.. too picky. Good luck, you may consider at least using some kind of spray at least once until they get a good headstart. Are you an organic gardener?

It is my understanding that mites like a warm dry environment. Supposedly misting is supposed to help with the problem. I cannot speak to the effectiveness of that. I quamolcit is miteless here--but I water via sprinkler. Other methods of watering I am sure would be better--but the old saying: so many plants--so little time.

Ok, good to know. The problem is, of course, that the mites are so tiny and can hardly be made out by the nake eye. I can see the effects, but then it's usually to late.So quamolcit has them too, ey? I am keeping the mites at bay with my various bio-mixes because I am not going to poison myself...

product for mites seems to work the best
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/770336/

I bet they would grow good in Florida because of our high humidity. I don't know if I have ever seen Spider Mites on any of my plants. :-?

Thanks Ron, for the tip.


Spider mites don't like much humidity, so you are probably safe in Florida, Becky. It would be hard for me to get these products, which I would have to ship from America via Germany here to Morocco. I may try seaweed, which I have seen in the supermarket, I have a pretty good feeling by now what kind of plants the mites like...seaweeds might definitely deter the suckers...as it may be absorbed by the plants and give the mites a salty taste...

Neem oil is effective to a degree, but so is everything else...I have never heard of 100%, foolproof methods of getting rid of the mite.

I am no doubting Thomas, but...

I use a homemade chili-spray that keeps the mites away. I simply chop 3-4 of my piquin chilis I have growing (any type will do, just make sure its SPICY) then soak in a litre of water overnight. Wear eye protection, do not get this in your eyes! I spray tops and bottoms of leaves and along the stems. After 1 application the mites were near non existant and after 2 all were gone. This doent kill the mites though, just keeps em munchin on something a little less "caliente." Hope this helps!
-Eva

Problem of the mites as you said is they will be going for a short holiday on other plants to return later on to their preferred food. I discovered by chance that my landlady has a vine growing on top of the roof. This is severly spide-mite infested...so I will never get rid of them because they will be a continous delivery from the roof into my backyard. Too bad, but gives me chance to study a pest in more detail...I am dreaming of having no mites on my morning glories...this will remain a dream...must get some of this magic spray recommended by Ron from America.


Martin

Martin,
Maybe soaking some tabacco (take a cigarrette apart) and making a tabacco juice spray and spraying it on your stuff and the neighbor's vine, what you can reach anyway...I've been meaning to post that for awhile, but forgot. I remember my family talking about that and don't remember exactly why they used it. (I have to look that one up). I may try that this year on the ones I grow inside.

If it has already been suggested (forgive me).. I did not read the last few posts.
A.

tobacco teas can be deadly to certain plants, peppers I know for sure, I know soap spray nearly wiped out my morning glory population so I wont do that again. Mites are so gross, just looking at them gives me creepy crawlies. Anyone have luck with the tobacco tea?
-Eva

Spraying whatever does effect the plants, but I must spray as the combination of strong sun and spider mites is deadly for most of my plants. I have had good success with growing a little Moroccan spider to battle the local tiny black flies. This was more of a chance encounter, I was very worried about my Amaryllis chips because these flies seemed magically attracted to them. One day I discovered that there were tiny spiders that decided to recide in the skins of my bulbs...Ever since I have been transferring the cocoons to new pots and planters which will release hundreds (donno how many exactly) of these little spiders. So I am thinking of using a preditor mite next year...if I can convince these guys to hang around in my backyard the problem will be solved...

Martin