It looks like my Rhodo. maximum got mites last year. Does anyone have experience getting rid of them. It's awfully hard to get good spray coverage on the bottom of the leaves.
Mites on Rhodies
I know, I felt like an idiot laying on my back spraying safer soap 'upside' my Azaleas for the lace bugs I had. I wonder if any sprayers have a hook to them where it would spray upwards instead of away?
Know it sounds crazy, but I go get me from walmart the big bottle of Ajax antibacterial dish soap the orange colore d one. it abotu 3 bucks. I take the dish soap and just start squirtign it all over the Rhodos and Azaleas.
I go up and down and even have a small ladder which I will stand on to squirt t he top of the plant. Then I get out the water house and start jet spraying. Tons of bubbles go everywhere. I try and jet spray from underneath and the side s and the top and just keep goign roudn and round.
I usually ony have to do it once a year. Once in awhile I may have to come back about thre e days later and do again to catch any I missed he first time round.
Thanks claypa and starlight.
I tried to find a spry wand that was designed to spray upside the leaves but didn't find one. Too bad. And starlight, I can't wait to engage in the spectacle you described!
Water Sedge
There is a systemic poison which kill the mites as they feed on the treated plant.
htthttp://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheets/hgic2051.htm
Soap and Ladybugs would be a good combination. Growquest has c.4500 for $12.49
http://www.growquest.com/free_ladybugs.htm?gclid=CNqT8If3uIsCFRFBhgodogsgnw
http://www.buglogical.com/ladybugs_control_aphids/ladybugs.asp
http://gardeningzone.com/catalog/product_info_Live_ladybugs_in_mesh_bag_1500_adults.html
Larry