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tessa
head gardener
Australia
3682 Posts |
 Posted - 15/12/2007 : 11:44:58
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i've been plagued for two years running with the tomato russet mite. the most devestating aspect of my problem was that i was unable to diagnose what was going on. while i was scouring the internet for answers...the plants were steadily declining. the battle was almost lost.
it starts off as a subtle colour change. the leaves and stem start to take on a bronzed appearance. the bronzing most noticible in the margins and veins.
without some sort of magnifying device...you can't see these mites at all! they make no webs, and prefer to inhabit the top sides of the leaves, unlike other mites.
the damage starts from the bottom. as soon as you're able to see the damage yourself...the mites have already moved up the plant and are sucking the sap out of the healthy plants there. soon the entire plant becomes involved. leaves begin to curl, then they die and turn crispy. fruits turn bronzed and begin to crack. stems take on a rusty bronze colour. death is not far away.
i have managed to save my tomato crop by spraying with a product called 'beat-a-bug'. it is a natural, organic spray of garlic, chili and pyrthrum. it also gives a foliar feed...so it benefits the plant in more ways than one.
i sprayed down each plant, whether visibly infected or not. the following day, there was absolutely no evidence of mites under the magnifying glass. i resprayed again a week later in case the spray didn't work on the eggs.
the plants are now in recovery, so all is not lost. here's a pic of lush new regrowth on a plant that looked hideous just two weeks ago. you can see the stem is still discoloured...but the regrowth is healthy and mite-free.
so if you too have russet mites...don't despair! all is not lost!
cranky people live longer. i'm going to live forever!
perth, wa
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Edited by - tessa on 15/12/2007 11:47:27 |
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Mary-Anne
garden sage
Australia
10809 Posts |
Posted - 15/12/2007 : 14:38:01
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Thats very good to know Tessa..
And when I do get down to Bunnings I will have a look for this beat a bug.
That new foliage is a lovely colour and certainly looks healthy. Well Done.
Good Things Come To Those That Wait ... I am Tired Of Waiting |
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Gail
garden sage
Australia
7707 Posts |
Posted - 15/12/2007 : 16:46:15
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Go beat-a-bug!  I wonder if predatory mites attack these mites, probably not if they prefer to be on the top of the leaves, but interesting to find out. I don't think I've ever had these mites - plenty of two-spotted ones over the years though.
Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit, wisdom is knowing not to use it in a fruit salad.
Gail, near Gympie, Qld |
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