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Kalamazoo, MI (zemmie640@yahoo.com)

Ugh

I think I found one lone spider mite on my best plant today, and if that's the case I suspect there's more lurking. The oldest leaves on the secondaries have turned brown between veins and are crunchy. It's only a few leaves so far, and it's possible it's just sunburn. We were already going to spray with Talstar tonight, and so here's my decision - do we go with 1/2 oz per gallon for all plants (4 @ 700 sq ft each) to get mites or just stick with .25 - .33 oz/gal and get something else for mites? It just rained here, but it's been hot and dry for a week or so. I don't want to risk my best plant for mites I may or may not have...just thought I'd throw this out here, I'll check back tonight...

P.S. We have a backpack blower - will that cover the undersides of the leaves well enough or do we have to break out the old pump sprayers?

Thanks
Kel

6/28/2008 6:20:21 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

ONE spider mite isn't a problem. Are you sure you know how to identify mites?

6/28/2008 7:08:22 PM

Kalamazoo, MI (zemmie640@yahoo.com)

Yep...farm girl with more than 20 years gardening experience.

Guess I phrased my post incorrectly. I found one mite, but didn't have time to check for more.

And I should note that those 20+ years are all 100% organic gardening. As you well know, an RUP license is not a substitute for years of field experience such as your own. I respect your opinion and bow to your infinite wisdom - this is my first year with the "good stuff" on my AGs.

Thanks
Kelly

6/28/2008 10:20:43 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Gotcha.

Try shaking the suspect leaf (carfully) just enough to dislodge the mited over a sheet of clean white paper. If there is a problem, a hand lens & a bright light will show it.

There are many non-chemical/non-redtricted solutions. Stylet Oil, Neem Oil, etc all work. Just watch the temperature.

6/29/2008 11:57:34 AM

Kalamazoo, MI (zemmie640@yahoo.com)

Yeah, I have the dubious pleasure of having met many of our mite friends over the years. I am leaning toward lighter Talstar, maybe .33, then following up with Neem. I'm not going to come out of the gate with .5 or 1 oz. Talstar unless it's absolutely necessary, and at this point it's not. I also am going to email you another question that I have...

thanks
Kel

6/29/2008 2:07:23 PM

Kel,,,the Neem oil will do the trick as you probably know, I have used it for years controlling mites in evergreens here. Lite apps in the evening only.

6/29/2008 2:55:22 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Hi Kelly,

Small world. Zemmie = Kelly. It's a pleasure to know you Kelly. I just answered an email from you on the "subject to which we do not speak". LOL

I agree that .33 Talstar is better than .5 this early. I'd be OK with a quarter oz if the situation permits. For the record I've applied as much as 1.0 oz/gal on older plants (September) with no ill affect. However keep in mind that the leaves were already 'OLD' relative to the growth stages most of us are seeing today (June).

Our goal today should be to keep the leaves as soft & productive as possible for as long as we can. It is to that end I prefer the lower rates.

If cost was of no concern, I'd prefer to see us using Floramite ($208/qt). Maybe now that Avid ($252/qt) has gone generic, we might start seeing some cost relief across the spectrum of pro miticides.
I'll need to check my cost on Famersaver's generic ABBA (for ag users) & & the Qualipro Abamectin Pro (for ornametals).

http://www.farmsaver.com/pdf/PressReleaseAbamectin.pdf

Steve

6/29/2008 5:19:48 PM

Kalamazoo, MI (zemmie640@yahoo.com)

Hi again Steve

Pleasure to know you too! As for the email, all went well tonight. We shall see how things look after a fashion. Thanks for the info.

It would be nice for the prices to drop on the miticides. I seem to find a way to squeeze all sorts of AG stuff into my budget, but $200 is harder to swallow. However, you do get what you pay for...

Please do let me know what you find out on those costs through Farmsaver. Thanks for the PDF link, too, by the way.

Okay, must run pamper my severe sunburn. Note to self: Sunscreen does not hold up to 12 straight hours of fishing (no matter how much you apply!) Ah, well, live and learn...

Kel

7/1/2008 2:04:25 AM