Red tick on orchids: how to protect indoor flowers from the most dangerous pest
Orchid lovers do not get tired of admiring their flowering plants. It really pleases the eye when you look at their beautiful flowers. But with the advent of the spider mite, the picture can completely change, and instead of beautiful flowers, an empty pot of earth will remain.
Content
- What does a spider mite look like
- The main varieties of spider mites that parasitize on orchids
- Reasons for the appearance of ticks
- What parts of the plant do they live on?
- Why are they dangerous
- Signs of infection
- Spider mite control methods
- Are spider mites dangerous for people and pets?
- Infection prevention and precautions
What does a spider mite look like
This pest has microscopic dimensions, which are approximately 0,5 mm. The color acquires depending on the plant eaten and its species classification. They have a soft and oval body, in adults there are 8 legs, and in larvae 6. The body structure contains a piercing-sucking apparatus equipped with a heart-shaped jaw, thanks to which they are able to bite into dense orchid leaves.
The main varieties of spider mites that parasitize on orchids
Each type of parasite that destroys orchids is unique and has its own characteristics and characteristics.
Flat-bodied mite, more precisely flat-body
More commonly known as a false tick or flatworm. It got its name from the structure of the body. Oval in shape, flat, divided into segmental parts anterior, middle and posterior. Very small, up to 0,3 mm, but bright - red-yellow pest.
Its appearance is detected late, since they do not weave a cobweb, and live in the root system. If an orchid leaf is damaged, poisonous substances are injected into the plant.
Reasons for the appearance of ticks
Orchid infection routes are not as complicated as their consequences.
- buying an infected plant;
- low-quality substrate for planting;
- untreated earthen pot;
- ticks can be brought on clothes;
- the parasite can fly in with the wind when the room is ventilated;
- frequent and abundant use of fertilizers;
- violated conditions of the flower.
The spider mite, in principle, is able to appear wherever favorable conditions are created for it. Its appearance can be prevented by treating new plants in advance, leaving them in quarantine, and maintaining timely care for already growing flowers.
What parts of the plant do they live on?
The favorite habitat of ticks is places with abundant food for them. Accordingly, these are succulent orchid leaves, flowers and root system.
When bitten into plant cells, the parasite sprays a special substance to speed up the movement of juice. What is extremely detrimental to the plant, for him such a substance is poisonous. Gradually destroying the flower, the colony spreads over the entire surface, reaching the buds. This phenomenon indicates the imminent death of the orchid.
Why are they dangerous
Orchid parasites not only rapidly destroy the plant, but are also carriers of various diseases. A plant attacked by a spider mite is weakened, and its immunity is not able to cope with an additional infection.
- bacterial;
- viral;
- fungal.
At the site of the formation of the consequences of the attack of the tick, weeping spots form, subsequently the leaf turns yellow and falls off, and the parasite moves to another part of the flower.
Signs of infection
Despite the difficulty of identifying a spider mite on orchids, its presence can be suspected by some signs.
- On the leaves, in places of bites, there are traces of "pricks", these places have whitish or gray blotches.
- On the back of the leaf, a cobweb is formed, white or silver.
- Brown spots are visible in the axils of the leaves and at the base of the stem.
- Putrefactive wet spots appear on the stem in its lower part, subsequently depressions and holes form in their place.
- Castings begin to turn yellow, their edges are deformed, dry and curl, and then fall off.
- Peduncles become shorter than in a healthy plant, which is not typical of orchids.
- When you press on the affected area of the leaf, red or brown juice is released.
Spider mite control methods
The appearance of parasites on flowers is a rather unpleasant event. They spoil the appearance and condition of the flower itself. You need to start fighting the pest immediately, at the first suspicion of its presence, and the sooner the destruction is started, the more likely it is to get rid of it forever.
Chemicals
When choosing preparations containing chemicals, one should take into account the peculiarities of their use, do not forget about the methods of protection and use the instructions for use.
The advantages of such funds in their long-term effect, from the moment of treatment, the duration of their action lasts up to 2 weeks.
Chemical agents have a good result in destruction, and cope with large colonies. Popular drugs
- Nissoran;
- Aktellik;
- Can't count;
- Antiklesh.
Biological agents
Their advantage lies in the use of funds throughout the year, while this does not cause resistance in the parasite. The effectiveness of these funds is observed only in the first stage of the development of the lesion.
List of biological drugs:
- Akarin;
- Bona Forte;
- Bitoxibacillin;
- Fitoverm.
Traditional recipes
Flower growers have several proven methods without the involvement of chemistry to combat ticks.
The use of medical alcohol is suitable for treating stems and leaves with a cotton swab moistened with it. It is important to ensure that the plant is not covered with a thick layer, otherwise there will be a burn.
The crushed tuber of the plant is boiled in boiling water for 30 minutes. Then cover with a lid and let it brew for a day. Used to treat leaves and stems. The peculiarity of this technique is that it is necessary to carry out such a procedure within a week and each time the broth should be fresh, the finished broth is stored in a cool place for no more than a day.
For 1 liter of hot water, rub 30 g of laundry soap and dissolve it. In the cooled liquid, moisten a cotton swab and wipe the leaves with it from the inside. When processing, try to avoid getting on the roots of the plant, since the alkali content negatively affects the flower.
Are spider mites dangerous for people and pets?
The red spider mite and its other varieties do not pose any danger to humans and animals. Simply because it feeds on the juice of plants, which is not contained in the human and animal body. He can cause his maximum harm to a person only against an emotional background, trouble, disgust.
Infection prevention and precautions
It is impossible to be insured against the appearance of this parasite, but its appearance can be prevented. To do this, you should follow some rules.
- quarantine new plants;
- periodically wipe the flower, pot, window sill with medical alcohol;
- use only high-quality substrate for growing;
- to study all the subtleties of growing orchids, the climate of maintenance, the regularity of watering;
- keep all houseplants clean and cared for.
By adhering to these simple but important rules, you can never meet such a malicious pest at all. And if he still wound up, it will be much easier to fight him.
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