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Spider mites on rose plant

Niladri Banerjee

6 years ago

Hi,

I just found out that my 3-year old potted rose plant is under attack from spider mites. I am in the east midlands region in UK and the plant stayed outside. It suffered one such episode 2 years back and almost died. But it managed to survive and following advice from this forum, I transferred it to a larger pot. It produced nearly 70-80 flowers with occasional attack from rose aphids in the last few months. I used an insecticide which is probably why the mites are back.

On a closer look today, I found several leaves with the silk threads and 30% leaves looking weak. I cut quite a few of the infected leaves and sprayed with diluted eucalyptus oil. Could you please suggest some remedy? I was once suggested to put the whole plant upside down in water for a couple of hours. It is now fairly big and I am not sure how to dip the whole plant in water, but if it is effective, I can find a way out. I took a photo just now, to give you and idea of its size (about 18 inches from the base of the pot).

Many thanks,

Niladri.

Featured Answer

seil zone 6b MI

6 years ago

Soaking it in water will work but so will a hard water spray. Don't be afraid of damaging the plant. Use a very hard spray for several days to keep knocking them off. You have to get up under all the leaves too. There are miticides available but plain water is really all you need.

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Comments (7)

Streisand Fan
6 years ago
As it is pretty rainy here in zone 5b I don't really have that problem with my outdoor roses, but I sure do with my cuttings that are indoors waiting to be planted. I have found that a hard and thorough blast with cold water every day for a while really works wonders.
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rifis (zone 6b-7a NJ)
6 years ago
After reviewing your photo, I must say that the foliage is putting up quite a robust defense - even if it was photographed after removing the worst leaflets.
barbarag_happy
6 years ago
I'm with Seil. Cold water is all you need. When summer arrives for real, I spray all my roses with cold water any time we have a spell of hot, dry days. It can be challenging to get the undersides of the leaves, but that is the most important thing.
Niladri Banerjee thanked barbarag_happy
Niladri Banerjee
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks a lot everyone. I gave her a thorough and hard spray of cold water from the shower for 3-4 minutes. I could visibly see an improvement with a lot of the mites gone. There are quite a few still left and I will repeat it everyday for the next 6-7 days. Also sprayed the underside of the leaves with diluted eucalyptus water after the spray.

The mites are mostly localised near the base of the plant, so spraying that part with water results in the pot receiving a lot of water. It has good drainage but I hope that isn't a problem? Some of the leaves and flowers were damaged, but other than that it is fine. Is it OK to continue this everyday for the entire week?

Thanks again for all your help - never thought a simple cold water spray would improve things that much!
User
6 years ago
That is such a pretty rose. Do you mind sharing its name?
Niladri Banerjee
Original Author
6 years ago
@farmerduck: Thanks :) Unfortunately, I do not know the name. My wife bought it 3 years back and it stayed with us since then. Naturally you develop a relation with the plant and take care good care of it. Any expert here, if s/he knows the name, it would be great if they can let me know.

Update: the hard water spray seems to be working in knocking out the mites but the leaves and flowers get a little damaged. I guess that should be OK as long as it knocks the mites off.

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