With all the hectic goings-on around here, I just discovered spider mites on the Crotons I moved indoors for the winter. I have sprayed and will continue to be more vigilant (and spray some more), but what do I do about the "bare stalks" from the leaf droppings? Should I cut them back? Any advice or suggestions would be most appreciated!
Cathie
Croton dropping leaves
some of my crotons have dropped leaves and had died. Some others had dropped leaves and renewed come spring. They're not an easy plant for me to understand.
Crotons. Heat, humidity, full sun, moist but not wet. If ya got a handheld shower use it to wash the leave off underneath and on top. Remember crotons need warmth! and full sun.
Don't cut them back if the stems are stilll alive. They like heat and humidity, the opposite of winter. Spider mites will cause them to drop all their leaves but if the plant is kept warm and with moisture in the air, and lots of light, they will grow back.
Thanks for all the input. Lots of sun and high humidity are hard to come by in my house, but I'll do what I can for now. These plants spend most of the year on my patio where they do great. The ones dropping leaves are some of my "end of season bargains" so they didn't have much time outdoors before they had to come in for our 3 or so months of winter. I'll try putting them outside on the nice days (like today -- high in upper 70's to 80) and bring them in at night. To sandy0225 -- I won't cut them back (glad I asked) and we'll see what happens. I love Dave's Garden members for all their helpful suggestions!
Cathie
Since Crotons like it hot, a propagation mat (like a heating pad for plants) would help you get them thru the winter in better shape. Those mats only use 100-150 watts, not much more than a light bulb.
I use Triacide for pests, but, a more organic approach would be to add coffee grounds to the top of the pot and water them in. I know folks on this site that swear by that method. Seems caffeine kills bugs. Works very well on scale on Sago Palms.
In Miami they grow lots of different kinds>
Dale...have you been successful using the coffee grounds against Cycad Mites? We haven't...despite trying!!! Have resorted to a neem oil spray or volk oil... Coffee grounds tested nearly neutral in pH...and the caffeine is depleated by the time it is run thru with hot water....
Hoya,
Do you all have Dollar Stores? Instant coffee in a pump up sprayer and use the mix on the under side of the fronds is what I am thinking. Or just mix it with water and pour around the base? Mites in Cycads is one problem we don't have, it is the scale that will kill them here.
On one Queen Sago that I used to treat I used Neem one week and then sprayed Triacide (systemic) the next. I had good results with that.
Hmmmmwill try that. Coffee would be good against the Coquis too!!!!