I’ve read enough here using the search function to know I have a real problem and potentially, a long road ahead.
@Growdoc noted the problem on one of posts and I am so thankful. This is new to me (second plant) and I haven’t taken the time to learn what I am doing. So thanks man. I don’t think the mite issue is past the point where I can’t salvage the plants.
Yesterday, I went to Ace seeking Jack’s, and had to order - it will be here Wednesday, however they did have safer 3-in-1 garden spray so I bought it and applied to the plants with a good soaking focusing on the bottoms of the leaves. Hope it helps and doesn’t harm the girls. They are flowering and one I think will give a good yield.
Next I need to figure out how to eliminate them from my outdoor greenhouse. I know it will be a constant battle. The floor of the GH is a half square yard of pea gravel so there is no telling what pests and contaminants are in it. Under the gravel is a vinyl tarp to keep grass and weeds from coming thru.
3% peroxide is your friend. A Hudson sprayer and a couple of gallons of peroxide sprayed then repeated every five days will nuke them. Bleach is not a good idea as it leaves a residue. Put fine screens over intake and exhaust in the greenhouse. If you can run several fans it would be good. Keeping humidity down is going to be tough but should be around 45% in flower. Any higher and you risk bud rot.
@t-ray mites are becoming ninjas… meaning they are requiring different chemicals to eradicate them as they become used to local pesticides. If you try something like PureCrop 1 or EM1, or H202, those have great success rate. But with those open windows, it’s just a constant battle and you need to start a Integrated Pest Management (IPM) routine. You just have to spray constantly to keep up.
If they are really bad, I would probably start with Captain Jacks Dead Bug at their suggested rate for a couple of weeks, then move to something a little friendlier. You can use PC1 all the way through harvest AND you can combine it with something like BT for the caterpillars.
I also use a fogger for better coverage under the laves - I have a battery operated Ryobi fogger. You may also look into putting screens over those windows (inside).
Fun note… even if you still have mites at harvest, the harvest doesn’t need to be lost. Simply hang your plants upside down and you will watch the mites move to the top of the cut stem. At that point, simply take straight h202 on a rang and wipe them off (webbing and all). It will look much worse than it is because the ALL move up there as the plant dies and they are looking for fresh plant matter which is now only found in the cut stem. Also make sure to do a bud wash first, but you’ll still see them at the stem a few days after being cut down and washed to hang
It appears the Safer 3-in-1 garden spray is effective. Can’t find a mite on anything but I know they are in there. Sprayed a copious amount yesterday and today. Then went back with H2O2 just now. It fizzed at the base of the main stem which I interpret they are resident in my medium. Those on the plant are likely dead. I read a post.here and forgive me for not giving credit to the author, a bag of good soil may come already infested. I believe that is my case. The mites may have come from my environment or resident in the soil. This is all new to me.
I placed a fan in the greenhouse blowing directly on the two plants.
While at it, I sprayed my exposed garden plot which has hydrangeas, tomatoes, Serranos, jalapeños, and some odd herbs. We have a productive peach tree that suffers from pests and has ruined the harvest the past three years which the wife sprayed. Also a pear and apple tree.
Now I wait to see. Thanks to all that provided experienced advice. @Myfriendis410@Growdoc@Caligurl and others that I fail to tag.
I bought live ladybugs this morning before learning about the predators in your post. I am thinking about canceling my ladybug order ($43.99 at Amazon) since estimated ship date is 7 June. I won’t have living plants by then. I have sprayed h2o2 the past two days but found more at lunch today.
I read about those pred mites just this morning. I will buy them but first, I think I’m going fog the entire thing and hope for the best. Then introduce the preds
I think I’m going to lose this battle. Fortunately, I’m not short on seeds and have three more seedlings inside under lights indoors. They have a couple weeks before transplant and that gives me time to eliminate the bastards and sanitize the greenhouse. I am probably over treating the plants and this is the result.
