In looking over my brugmansia this morning, I noticed on the tips of several leaves, there were these red masses. I could wipe it off, & when smashed, I got some reddish juice. I knew they have to be some sort of buggie. So I grabbed the camera & removed one of the leaves & put it on the table. When I looked very closely, I could see some very, very tiny reddish bugs crawling off. I'm sure they're up to no good. Can anyone help me identify them and help me decide what to do?
Jo-Ann
it almost looks like spidermites but they are even tinier. any webbing anywhere?
Yes there is some webbing.Sort of looks like a mini spider wed, but not as structured. They sort of look like the ones pictures in the bud files - http://davesgarden.com/guides/bf/go/4463/. But they are so tiny I can't make out any legs. The strange thing is that they are only around the tips of the leaves.
well, you have spidermites and they love brugs. i would zip over to the brug forum and ask what they use. personally, spidermites don't like wet conditions so i would give them a really good bath with soapy water and then mist under the leaves every single night for at least a week, then go back to a good soapy bath once a week.
I think you're right. After I posed my 2nd message, I went & took a real close look at the plant. I could see little webs all over, especially where the leaves connected to the stems. I'll ask the brug folks if they have any special way of treating them.
