Going downhill fast! Help!

Here's a picture taken this am that I think is CONSUMED with spider mites. 9 days ago I sprayed with Bayer 3 in 1 then I sprayed again 7 days after intial spraying -- thought I was doing ok. Yesterday I saw how bad the leaves were looking and all the fuzzy webbing and I picked off lots of the webbing. Today the webbing looks like it's going strong and "dangling" from leaves and the leaves are turning yellow and dropping. Can you see the webbing hanging down? Can this brug be saved?

This message was edited Jul 3, 2008 11:40 AM

Try strong spraying with water couple times a day. Need stronger mite chemicals! I use Avid & Forbid.

Gloria

and move the plant. maybe somewhere with a little sun...

Hi...First of all, relax. I've had Bruggies lose all of their leaves to spider mites, then come back strong after a rest from the attack.
More sun, remove 2/3 of the leaves, then spray. If that still doesn't work...soap. Either Ivory liquid or Murphy's Oil Soap. Wash the remaining leaves and stems BY HAND. I know this is a colossal pain, but sing to your plant while you're doing it, or contemplate the universe, whatever. Do this procedure until you see new growth, but keep your spy glasses tuned up. New growth is like mother's milk to mites.

By the time your plant is well, you will have formed a loving and special bond.
Spider mites aren't necessarily the end of the world. ;-)

I love Gordo's analogy and totally agreed. ^_^

Thank you all so-o-o much. Gordo always puts things into perspective so I'll not panic too much. I'll do everythign recommended.

Actually, it gets a little more morning sun than the pictures show, but it could still use some more. I think I wanted him to be happy there as it's situated behind a loveseat on the porch and looks (looked) so pretty and I knew blooms would be so special right there. But that was my wants and not his needs. So I'm off to take care of things.

Thanks again!
Barbara

Last winter one of my brugs got consumed with spider mites and I couldn't take it any more, it was about 4 feet tall and I took all the leaves off. I probably wouldn't recommend it but the brug came back just fine. I just couldn't spray in the house and it was too cold to take it outside and I just couldn't take the mites any more.

I felt like I was losing a battle. Tried everything, got frustrated, almost tossed my brugs in the trash. Finally broke down and bought some Avid (should have done it in the first place for all the money I spent on other things). No more mites. Happy camper here.

Spider mites......spider mites.....They are driving me crazy!!! I have used 3 bottles of neem so far. Is there a systemic out there that will take care of spider mites???

Avid is so expensive.

Avid is expensive. But in the long run it is worth it. JMHO.

Tks mimi....do you know of a cheap place to buy it?

Found Avid for $93 for an 8 oz bottle. After spending over $300 on brugs and seeds, I just can't have them die. Guess that's what charge crards are made for.

I have dealt with spider mites on brugs, roses, buddleias, hydrangeas ,etc.  At one time I did buy a small bottle of Avid but, I found it much easier and more effective to use a strong spray of water from my hose.  During hot dry spells as a preventive measure I do spray water (and only water) under the leaves of just about everything that I can reach.  If the plant is infested, it will take a little while to see results-----but, it is the same situation with the chemicals.ShirleydZone 7b

Got mine on ebay last year. I think I paid around $22.00 for a one ounce dropper bottle. It doesn't sound like a very good deal, but a little bit goes a long way. It only takes 1/2 tsp per gallon of water. I wish I had bought it in the first place, instead of spending lots of money on stuff that just doesn't work. I can't let my brugs just get eaten alive.

Spraying water on top of the leaves and under didn't help here. I have over 40 brugs that I started from seed or purchased, and I don't want to lose them. My hand was going numb squeezing that spray bottle of neem!!

I haven't tried it yet, but have you tried Bayer's Tree and Shrub systemic? I have used Bayer's 2 in 1 without a problem, but because the fertilizer is strong it can kill small plants and seedlings. The Tree and Shrub doesn't have the fertilizer and can be used in pots as small as 1 gallon without a problem.

I alternate with the Bayer's and Avid. If I have a really bad infestation.

Oh my goodness, "crazy", I just read about your brugs and thought about how we were going to get together "someday" and never quite did :(

Anyway, I started using "Messenger" as a foliage spray cause I had major aphid problems with my brugs and (I'm praying that I don't jinx myself now...) now they are quite healthy (knock on wood...) and are growing fantastically!!! I think that "Messenger" is supposed to help the plant build up it's defense mechanisms but all I know is that it works for me!

Here's their link:
http://www.edenbio.com/garden/

Jan

Hi Jan, thks for the info on messenger.

Thanks bettydee, I have been using Bayer 2 in 1 for the thrips I had (still have).

The only place I had to put my brugs was on my patio under the arbor that has a Wisteria growing on it. Little did I know that the Wisteria had thrips. So as I gradually moved them into full sun I was also spreadng the thrips around. When the spider mites attacked, I would move the plant into the shade (under the wisteria) to spray it down. The next day I would put it back into full sun.
When the avid arrives today, I'll have to spray all the brugs and move them into shade on the other side of the yard till the avid dries.

This message was edited Aug 6, 2008 4:42 AM

a question on AVID
I cannot find a source, not on ebay, not on the net(my ISP has gotten very narrowminded)
Have searched- all it wants to peddle is the darn micro chips by avid...

Thanks a bunch for any links you can send or post

Here ya go...
http://www.rosemania.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/page9.html

You can try growersupply.net its well worth it.