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formerly RGG

I think my melons would have done much better last year except for an infection of spider mites. And I know that Dave and Chris also had spider mite problems this past year, to mention a couple of local growers. I believe it is a problem for many of us and sometimes it is a infection that is very difficult to recognize even when we have a moderate case of it. Anyway this morning I stumbled upon a product by Sunlight Supply that may take care of the problem. It is a product developed specifically for spider mites and addresses killing of both the egg and adult stage of these mites. I hope this helps some of us to reach new heights in 2013. The biggest problem I see is that it is fairly expensive, as are most of the specialty gardening products, and so it may not be practical for those of us on a tight budget. Here is the link:

http://www.sunlightsupply.com/p-14244-sns-217c-spider-mite-control-concentrate.aspx

Please let me know if you have found a good way to fight these pests in a more economical way. Other growers I have talked to find them difficult to diagnose and to deal with. I know Brother Dave has found a good chemical to control these creatures, but it is also a very expensive product. So what are your thoughts ?

12/30/2012 9:35:25 AM

Kentucky, U.S.A.

Yep! Maybe a bit pricey, but maybe a blessing! This was my first year to grow, and I'll plant in a different location for 2013. Untill I get a few more seasons of learning in I'll keep my budget at a minimum, but keep us (me) posted on the results of the product so when the time comes we'll have the knowledge to battle these pests! Thanks, BSD David

12/30/2012 10:21:56 AM

Muddy Waters

spider-mite-control-concentrate? It dont matter Dennis how hard I concentrate I cant seem to find see those Spider mites!

12/30/2012 11:25:00 AM

formerly RGG

Be really happy if you don't have any Mark. They can be a real curse.

12/30/2012 11:50:27 AM

sevierville, Tn

you could make some yourself. Only 3 subproducts in it. Just a thought.
P.S. I hate spidermites !

1/1/2013 1:52:30 PM

sevierville, Tn

Rosemary Oil 10%
Polyglyceryl Oleate 3.0%
Lauric Acid 0.5%

1/1/2013 1:53:17 PM

sevierville, Tn

water is the rest of the volume

1/1/2013 1:54:15 PM

Valencia Spain

funny that about rosemary as rosemary gets red spider

1/1/2013 3:16:55 PM

South Arkansas

Here are two simple ways to spot spider mites early. Spider mites tend to show up first on weeds at the edge of the rows. The leaves on host weeds will start to pale as the spider mite population increases and the upper leaf surfaces become almost clear and show all the leaf veins. The mites will be on the underside. On watermelon plants, the first symptom of spider mite infestation starts with a cluster of yellow speckled leaves. The yellow dots will be prominent yellow spots with a red tint. The mites will be on the bottom side of the leaves. A spot spraying of the leaf cluster at the yellow speckled stage should control the spider mites. AVID works good. It is sold in small economical units and gives good control of aphids and spider mites which is good since both tend to appear at the same time when the weather gets hot and dry. Spider mites do the most damage when the infected watermelon plants receive heavy insecticide applications.

1/2/2013 12:43:36 PM

formerly RGG

Thanks for the helpful information Chris and Lloyd.

Here is what I ran into looking around a bit on the net:

Rosemary Oil 10% - 32 oz. $36.38 or one gallon $129.50 / free shipping
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rosemary-100-Pure-Essential-Oil-5ml-1-Gallon-ShipFree-/300486697367

Polyglyceryl Oleate 3.0% - 16.8floz / 500ml - $22.05 http://www.amazon.com/MakingCosmetics-Inc-Polyglyceryl-Oleate-16-8floz/dp/B005UGV954

Lauric Acid 0.5% - Lauric Acid 99% 5KG (11 lbs.) $30.00
http://www.bulknaturaloils.com/Products/15915-lauric-acid-99.aspx?gclid=CMKOx7a5yrQCFQU5nAod3EwAfw

I vote for purchasing the ingredients and mixing my own !

1/2/2013 3:23:45 PM

Valencia Spain

imclorprid helps redspidermite too

1/3/2013 1:53:53 PM

The North Coast

I did see that a study was done a few years back that said that grafting onto some Lagenaria rootstocks (very similar to the one Bartoli used) has the potential to confer resistance to the carmine spider mite in Cucurbitaceae. While there is not a lot of information out there on that topic it does lend a bit more credence to grafting as a way to help overcome the issues we face.

1/14/2013 4:08:25 PM