Spider Mites

[Raver]

omg i got a phal 2 weeks ago and i thought it had spider mites but since i'm a novice at orchids i thought i was over reacting but now i know it has spider mites and another of my phals is getting them too. Is this really bad? how do i get rid of them???? i need help please =/!!!!

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Spray with a miticide and increase your humidity. They thrive in very dry conditions.

Good luck.

Cheers,
BD

[Raver]

what kind of miticide??? and will damaga the orchid, would buying a humidifier help with the humidity?? thanks again for all the info

[Brutal_Dreamer]

what kind of miticide??? and will damaga the orchid, would buying a humidifier help with the humidity?? thanks again for all the info

Any miticide - that is the purpose of the miticide (to kill mites). And no, it should not hurt your orchid if applied properly. Follow the instructions on the bottle. A humidifier might help, depending on the size of the room. A pebble tray might also help. Grouping plants closely together also helps them hold humidity better.

Cheers,
BD

[Raver]

Right on, i will go get a miticide and huidifier today and see if that will help. i already have trays with pebbles but i havent set them up yet. i will also do that today i hope it helps. Does misting them helps??? i dont mist them at all because i'm afraid they will rot

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Right on, i will go get a miticide and huidifier today and see if that will help. i already have trays with pebbles but i havent set them up yet. i will also do that today i hope it helps. Does misting them helps??? i dont mist them at all because i'm afraid they will rot

Just make sure you have air movement and misting will be fine. They should dry off before dark each day, so mist early in the morning if you plan to do that.

Cheers,
BD

[Raver]

yep they have air movement 24/7 and they dry off fast so i dont think it will be a problem. Thank you for all the help!!

[AtantaR]

I also used isopropyl alcohol to kill my mites. I only had spider mites on my house plants. Not my orchids. You can use 70% or 90% rubbing alcohol either or. Whatever is in your house pretty much will do. It works really well. Also, as stated, the humidity must be increased to deter the mites from coming back. You may have to give multiple applications of the alcohol. As you would with the miticide. The alcohol will just evaporate into thin away with nothing left of the plant. This is also safer if you have pets or children. I would mix a 50/50 solution of alcohol/water. Make sure to get under the leaves cause these critters are clever...lol Don't go crazy with the spraying because these little guys "mite" propel to a new location.lol...haha...happy hunting :P

[Raver]

i will try that too and see if it works, so just mix the alcohol with water and mist the whole plant right??? and i will make sure i do the bottom leaves

[AtantaR]

Right