Bugs!

[Jono]

Hello all, been awhile, been busy but still pop in to check the forums as often as I can just haven't really had time to take photos or post recently.

Two questions about bugs eating my plants.

I have an awesome schleffera which has started to lose it leaves due to red spider mites. What would be the most chameleon friendly way to get rid of them? I know that they don't really enjoy afternoon sun but I've been leaving it in all day sun as Rex prefers to hang out of it. Is this adding to my problem?

Secondly the soap treatment I tried on one of my ficuses for leaf spot fungus didn't work that well. I read that the 1/3 rubbing alcohol/water in a spray might work? Any ideas?

Thanks

Jono

 

[jpm995]

I would isolate your cham from the plant and treat it with the recommended chemicals. After your positive the bugs are gone, rinse it thoroughly with water 4-5 times, including the soil before letting him use it.

 

[Clifford]

Toss the plant and get a new one. It will be faster and less expensive.

 

[kinyonga]

AS LONG AS YOU TAKE THE PLANT OUT OF THE CAGE WHILE YOU ARE DOING THIS...ladybugs may eat the mites or if you have praying mantises they might eat them too. The reason for taking the plant out of the cage is so the chameleon won't eat the mantises or the TOXIC lady bugs.

 

[DGray]

Hmmm...

Hello all,...

Two questions about bugs eating my plants.

I have an awesome schleffera which has started to lose it leaves due to red spider mites. What would be the most chameleon friendly way to get rid of them? I know that they don't really enjoy afternoon sun but I've been leaving it in all day sun as Rex prefers to hang out of it. Is this adding to my problem? ...

I'm not sure what products you have available in S. A., but I can tell you what we use here in the U. S.

Oils and waxes are the organic mite-discouraging sprays.

Hot dry conditions make spider mites breed faster. Misting heavily and frequently will deter them somewhat. Hot sunny weather is not recommended when you are fighting mites. Organic oils such as Neem will help; this should be non-toxic. Chemical miticides are generally suspect for toxicity.

Mantises and Ladybugs don't eat mites. There are predatory mite species that can be purchased, but they are very expensive.

..

Secondly the soap treatment I tried on one of my ficuses for leaf spot fungus didn't work that well. I read that the 1/3 rubbing alcohol/water in a spray might work? Any ideas? ...
Jono

Perhaps you can put up a picture of the symptom of the fungus, and I could offer my opinion.

Simple soaps and alcohol are not effective on fungus.

Copper-soap and a bacterial fungicide are my first choices for most leaf-spots. There is also a phosphate fertilizer that has some effectiveness.