Hi all,

I have a croton that shed most of its bright red and green leaves a few months back. I moved it to a location where it could get bright light and used a houseplant feed to give it a nourishing boast. It seemed to take it well and lot of new leaves sprouted. The problem now is that on one of the two stems that it had, the new leaves that were doing pretty good, started to look limp and diseased. The leaves on the other stem that came out at the same time are radiant and healthy. I took a closer look with a magnifying glass and the leaves have some sort of web-like fibre running all around it, with small insects (almost invisible to naked eye) running around. I cleaned the leaves thoroughly with a wet tissue. But they have reappeared.
Is there anything I can use for this?
Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

O yes! The description of the mites and the plant condition fits exactly to what I observe.

And it says its difficult to get it under control

Hmmm...I ll try to get hold of a spray for mites...

Thanks loz!

AMAZING! A few leaves on my English Ivy turned brown last week, the coming into work this morning it had a 'web' of sorts...and I didn't even have to post a new topic and the answer was here for me! My question is.... I had 3 plants in the same window (side by side) the other two seem fine. How come only one of the plants would get the mite and not the other two?? And where do the mite come from...would it have to be off another plant? Must have been the new catus I set beside them??
My poor Ivy's going to have to get a bath or two...I think I've caught it in time though... assuming I can get rid of these little buggers!

* * * *

Amber

Spidermites are difficult to get rid of but worth trying before you give up on the plant. Try thoroughly spraying with an isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol)/water solution at a ration of about 1:8 with a squirt of dish soap added. Be very thorough, especially on the undersides of leaves and don't forget all the little crevices where the critters are hiding. Repeat the application in a few days to ensure you got them all, then as needed. Remember, complete coverage is the key to eradication!

Cricket