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look at growing tips....see fine hairs, or not?

15 years ago

I think what I have mistaken for spider mites may really be just the way the plant grows....but I need your feedback.

Look at your growing tips...do you see a fine hair or two? Since I've had problems in the past with spider mites I'm always inspecting my plants for evidence of webs. Upon closer inspection of my H. australis, curtsii, and dischidia I see a very fine hair or two where the new leaves emerge. Do you have the same thing? These hairs are on just on one or two tips, and aren't spreading to the rest of the plant like spider mite webs would. Also no plant is showing signs of illness/stress. I put a sacrifical columnea (can you say spider mite MAGNET!) in the midst of all my hoyas to see if mites were around, and so far it's as clean as a whistle. Perhaps a hair or two on the occassional tip of a hoya is normal?

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Comments (8)

mairzy_dotes
15 years ago
Some hoyas leaves are very hairy, especially the new growth tips.
shanna5
15 years ago
shiver
I do inspect my hoyas as well but guess i didn't notice any hair like things where the new leaves are, but maybe I just didn't notice that part???. I will look at mine tonight and try to get back with you tomorrow.
shanna
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pirate_girl
15 years ago
I think it's perfectly normal & not insect-related. It's not on all Hoyas, rather just a couple that I've seen among mine, Kerrii, some Pubicalyxes, maybe Obovata. I believe I had part in a discussion on this a couple of yrs. ago here, probably w/ Denise.

It's exactly as you described (for me). The thinnest single hairs or 3, right where the new leaf & its petiole join. I don't recall seeing this on growth tips on mine.
gabro14
15 years ago
Shiver,

Do you happen to have a pic? I'm sure it's totally normal though.

Gabi
shiver
Original Author
15 years ago
I tried to take a pic, but darn it, getting the camera to focus on a fine, clear thread is impossible. PG, the "webs" are EXACTLY as you describe.

Now I'm nearly positive it's not bug related, because when I blow on the "threads" they shatter and fly away. Spider mite webs won't do that----they stick like glue. It's weird though, cuz some of the string things can be up to 3/4 of an inch long, and it's enough to give a paranoid plant girl a heart attack!
pirate_girl
15 years ago
Sorry I don't know how to post a link, but I did find the earlier discussion abt this (fibrous hairs on new growth).

Pls. do a search for "Question about new growth" by me, which discussed these fiber hairs w/ Langlin & a few others (from Feb. 06).
shanna5
15 years ago
Shiver,
didn't notice any hairs on mine but there are a lot people on here that lookes like they have given you good advice. Sorry, I am no help
shiver
Original Author
15 years ago
I did find your discussion thread PG---thank you so much. It sounds like these web-like things are reasonably common, and I am more than a little relieved to know I don't have spider mites. Thank you everyone for your replies! :)

Here is a link that might be useful: Fine hairs on hoyas discussion

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