will red spider mites cause leaves and fruit to fall off tree?

16 years ago

For the second year in a row, my red navel orange tree has flowers, little oranges appear, then drop off. I am also losing leaves. I have tried spraying rubbing alcohol then washing it off, but that isn't working either. They are in a greenhouse next to some orchid plants. I am having humidity fluxuations because I just had this greenhouse built and still trying to figure things out. The lowest temperture is about 58 in there to 85+ in full sun. The tree is about 4 feet tall and planted in a pot. Washing down the plant hasn't helped either. Can I spray it with neem oil or something like Orthene that I already have? Any and all help is appreciated.

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Comments (7)

orchidguyftl
16 years ago
red spider mites are preditory mites that feed on other types of spider mite
but they shouldnt effect the plant like that
you would see LOTS of webbing from other spider mites, in order for there to be mite damage
could be water, if too much when the temps drop, that could effect it
orchidcrazy
Original Author
16 years ago
Thank you orchidguyftl. This is a possibility because I am having temp fluxuations too in the greenhouse. It could have gotten warm in the greenhouse then droppped too quickly when the vents opened.
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Hi, I think that whatever happens to this tree (and I hope it's alright), you need to relax just a bit, or you might stress out the next trees with too much caring - believe me, I've done it. First, are you sure the webs you saw were in fact from red spider mites, or possibly only some little garden spider that wouldn't necessarily have been a problem? Secondly, you ran and applied two different and rather serious chemicals to the tree, when in fact if you did have mites, a good hosing down with water, and possibly a couple of drops of detergent in the water, would have sufficed. It's hard to say now whether the chemicals did in your tree or not, whether it was the hosing you gave it (on top of your twice wkly watering, which it might not have needed, or the compost soil mix which probably was too 'soggy' for maples, who don't like wet feet. Next time take one step at a time, be sure you're addressing the actual problem with the right remedy, and do a bit of reading on soil mixes for diff. trees. Boy, is it ever easy to give advice when it's not my tree in trouble :-). Sorry.
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Dear Sara, Though I have only had my fruit tree for a few months, I have experienced the joy and disappointment on care for .......a PLANT! Don't know why, but want this one to do well. I too had this sticky white stuff. Here in Seattle, I keep my plant 50% of the time indoors, and 50% out on my southern exposed deck. After reading and inspection, I have discovered that my plant has scale, a type of bug infestation that can present. These insects are very small (my the size of a small bead) and they feed off the plant. They look like small pill (potato) bugs and move very slowly. Subsequently, their poo is the white, sticky substance that is deposited on the stems and undersides of leaves. I read this material can attract other insects (ants) but is not toxic for pets. I was able to catch it early, and washed the plant well. Then, I sprayed it with a combination of Neem oil and diswashing liquid solution (you can buy various preparations) and after a couple of days, washed again. Upon further inspection, I only saw 1 bug that I happily squished!! Must periodically inspect and occasionally wash. I don't know if that is what you're experiencing, but if so, it is much easier to treat when infestation is new (vs established). Good Luck!!
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I'll try the water trick. I have used a spray bottle of water+ natural soap+ a bit of neem oil. At least on my tomato plants and yea Cecily is right, cause I watched some of the tomato leaves burn ><;. So I've only used the soap and water spray. Hardest part will be that some, if not the more affected leaves, curl. Hopefully too I wont blast too many off xD; And lol, ugh Logan these things are just evil, little red dots about the size of a . at largest. These evil things are now going after my bottle gourd plants too. Sprayed them with the soap+water mix but it wasn't as happy.
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jean001
16 years ago
"Red spider mite" is commonly used to refer to two-spot spider mites. In that case, the mites are potentially damaging to plants.

On the other hand, certain beneficial mites have an orange to reddish cast. They don't damage plants, but do eat the plant-damaging mites.

The plant-damaging two-spot mites produce webbing but only after they're on the plant for a fairly long time.

In my experience it takes from 10 to 14 days from the first damage (when you verify spider mites are present, even tho in relatively low numbers) to the webbing and leaf drop stage (when the mites are numerous).

That information is contrary to the erroneous statement in many books and articles that say "if you have mites, you also have webbing."
birdsnblooms
16 years ago
Hi Orchidcrazy..
Since you said you've had the same problems w/your citrus two yrs in a row, I don't think humidity/temps are 'all' that's bothering you're plants.
If you suspect mites, the best thing to do is rid them..
Since I don't believe in 'chemical' insecticides, I use around-the-house items...Fill a mister bottle 3/4's of water..room temp (warm) Add, 2-4 drops of dish soap..(I don't use Dawn, but some ppl swear by it) In addition to dish soap I also add, ground garlic and citrus rind. Fill w/a little more water and shake. Spray plants, thoroughly..
BTW, do you see webbing? If so, moisten paper towel w/rubbing alcohol and ripe away webbs..that outta kill the suckers.
I started using this formula many years ago and have to say, 98% of my plants, are mite free..
Living in Il, keeping plants, especially citrus, gardenia, hibsicus, and a few other tropicals are a major job..it gets quite dry here..Dry air and wet soil are mite and other insect magnets. Including fungus gnats.
Be sure soil dries before giving that extra drink of water. Good luck w/your new gh..Toni
orchidcrazy
Original Author
16 years ago
Thank you jean001 and Toni. I sprayed neem oil last week and hopefully stopped the problem. My trees don't have many leaves left now. I don't see any kind of webbing, but I do have a few little spiders in my greenhouse on my orchid plants. I will try the mixture you suggested and see if it helps. Could the leaf drop/fruit drop be because my orange tree needs some fertilizer? And I do have very dry air in my greenhouse from the electric heater.
jean001
16 years ago
You wrote: "And I do have very dry air in my greenhouse from the electric heater."

Hmm. Is your heater well vented to the exterior? If not, that could be the reason for the leaf drop.

As for the spiders on your plants, they're not any sort of problem.
orchidcrazy
Original Author
16 years ago
jean001, could you elaborate on how to vent the heater? This is my first time dealing with heaters and did not know that it needed to be vented to the outside. I just plugged it in. :) This will teach me to do my research!

will red spider mites cause leaves and fruit to fall off tree?

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will red spider mites cause leaves and fruit to fall off tree?

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