What is this please, and has it killed my bean and cucumber?

Discussion in 'Edible Gardening' started by LindsayH, Aug 7, 2014.

  1. longk

    longk Total Gardener

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    Like Pete, I've struggled with it for years too. This year is the first year that my greenhouse (conservatory before that at my old house) has been RSM free. I bleached it last November (very strong solution) using a pressure sprayer.
    I've used parasitic mites with great success, but once the mites are gone they die out. They will die over the winter anyway so you need to buy new every time anyway.
    Small plants can be treated effectively by giving them a repeat blast of Vick Vapour Rub dissolved in boiling water. Place a saucer topped up with gravel in the bottom of a clear placcy bag, pour the mix into the saucer to BELOW the top of the stones, put the plant on top and then seal the bag. Place in a warm spot for 6 to 8 hours and choke them to death. Repeat every three days for two to three weeks (long enough for any eggs to hatch). It works.
    On plants with large leaves wipe the leaves top and bottom with a fairly strong w/up liquid and water solution. Less of a cure, more of a control measure. Try one leaf first to see if it has a bad affect on it foe a few days.

    I agree. Last year my Cantua was affected, this year I have an Erythrina seedling affected.

    Not here they don't!
     
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    • Spruce

      Spruce Glad to be back .....

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      I thought red mite live on birds and spider mites plants , I may be wrong
       
    • longk

      longk Total Gardener

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      They do................

      They do, but................

      You were!:heehee:
      Red spider mite is a species of spider mite, not red mites (which are particularly attracted to chickens IIRC).
       
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      • Spruce

        Spruce Glad to be back .....

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        Thank you for breaking that down for me , made it so much easier to understand :psnp::catapult:
         
      • pete

        pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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        @LindsayH , I'd be interested to know in what way your dog reacts to these chemicals.

        Must admit over the years I've used all sorts on my plants, but never thought there was anyway it could affect my dog at the time.
        I obviously always kept the dog well away while I was spraying and usually until the spray dried, especially with weedkiller.

        In fact my last dog used to go indoors immediately, of her own accord, when she saw me get the sprayer out .
         
      • Ramshackle

        Ramshackle Gardener

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        What about foliar feeding your plants? Might help slow down the mites if they don't like fertiliser chemicals?
         
      • shiney

        shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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        The Stan Brouard Plant Invigorator (SBPI) is a wildlife friendly pesticide, mildewcide and foliar feed (their own words). The head gardener at Gt Dixter told me that they swear by it and it's the main product they use. Fortunately, I've never had the need for it.
         
      • Kristen

        Kristen Under gardener

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        Foliar feed may help the plant fight off the invasion somewhat, but the fertiliser won't impact the mites at all.
         
      • LindsayH

        LindsayH Gardener

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        I love this, my collie does this at home when I get the mower out and at the stables when I get my horse's saddle and bridle :)

        Symptoms vary depending on the drug, and the dog. My dog has had tremors, ataxia, lethargy, dilated pupils, off food etc. It can literally be anything from a tiny bit quiet through to coma!

        My parasitic mites have arrived already!
         
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        • LindsayH

          LindsayH Gardener

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          Well, I applied my (hopefully ferocious) Phytoseiulus predator mites. In case anyone is interested I got them from www.defenders.co.uk. They arrived very quickly and I could see lots of them crawling about energetically in the tube. They replied to an email I sent to them asking for advice after I received them very quickly, they compared favourably price wise and they do lots of different biological controls.
           
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          • Fat Controller

            Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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            Is this red spider mite too then? 2014-08-06 19.07.09.jpg
             
          • longk

            longk Total Gardener

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            Possibly. Got a close up?
             
          • Fat Controller

            Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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            2014-08-06 19.07.03.jpg

            Not the greatest I am afraid - to the naked eye, it looks like a fine mesh covered in brick dust and it has killed the majority of our indoor cucumbers.
             
          • Richard360

            Richard360 Super Gardener

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            I would say so fat controller
             
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            • longk

              longk Total Gardener

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              I'm afraid that it certainly sounds like it FC.
               
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