I am struggling to work out if I have a problem pest. There are very tiny white insect visible on the soil surface. They have long bodies (as in not round) with antenna. They mostly crawl around but do jump if I move the plant. They are just on the soil, not on the leaves. The leaves are in good shape and colour so I’m hoping these are just soil mites but I would like some second opinions. I tried to take a picture but they are so small they are not going to show up. Thank you!
I wish I could help figure it out! I’m actually having the same problem but I believe it’s because of my watering habits I tend to notice they like moist soil that has a lot of water still retained in the soil, how are your watering habits ??
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Could be thrips. Wet soil is the breeding ground for pests. Your soil looks muddy. It’s best to use soil with good drainage that has aggregates like perlite, vermiculite gravel or other additives that allow water to flow easily through the soil and dry faster. Spider plants like to have their soil dry out between watering. They have thick finger like roots that store a lot of water. I recommend replacing that soil with one labeled for succulents or get standard houseplant soil and add more perlite. Spray down the plant with insecticidal soap before putting it in the new soil. Fill the soil up to the pot’s rim allowing 1/4 inch space. This allows air to circulate better over the top soil and dries out the excess moisture in it. Place the plant in bright indirect light. A growing plant uses up water faster. Fertilize once a month with diluted fertilizer in colder months. Keep using the insecticidal soap weekly until you see no new pests. 🍀🪴
3 LikesYes, I just want to add that different stages of a pest’s life cycle are often in different places, and while there may not be anything on the leaves YET, a lot of eggs hatch/larvae (I think) live in the soil. Adults would then go elsewhere, like on the plant or flying around!
1 LikeThank you everyone. I have been following the app for watering and I’ve got the plant as a cutting a few months ago and it’s grown pretty well in the current soil - I don’t know if it looks “muddy” because I would just watered the plant minutes before my post? To be on the safe side I’ll get it sprayed and repotted
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