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A few of my plants that aren’t doing well seem to have tiny black… | Pests, diseases and problems | Planta community

Leafmealone

A few of my plants that aren’t doing well seem to have tiny black spots that I can wipe off and are very limp and losing color. No webbing present, I don’t believe it’s spider mites. Does anyone have experience with this?

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10 comments

  1. 9s

    The black stuff is thrips poop

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    • Leafmealone

      😳oh wow. Ok thanks so much! Crap. Is neem oil a good cure?

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    • 9s

      Temporarily yes but you want something that’s stronger and systemic.

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  2. nosugartonight

    You can use a strongish jet of water to blow them off. You’ll want to do this a few times a week. Alternatively insecticidal soap also would work and you would only have to do this once a week. BUT DEFINITELY: Quarantine those plants and wash your hands before and after handling them.

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  3. GreenLeaf

    Based on the thrips life cycle, you’ll need to treat the plant as well as the soil. And you’ll need to do that for at least 4-5 weeks. I always continue treatment for at least 2 more rounds after my last sighting of any bugs. These things are nasty and a pain in the behind to get rid of. If your infected plant has been close/touching others then just assume they all have it and treat them all. Otherwise monitor all your other plants VERY closely. There is a good chance they have spread as they can fly. Don’t waste your time with gentle treatments, get the heavy duty insecticide. Use diatomaceous earth and put a good coating on the soil. Bottom water so the DE doesn’t get wet.

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    • nosugartonight

      Agree these guys suck a lot

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    • Leafmealone

      Thanks so much. Obviously this is my first time with thrips and I’m feeling overwhelmed. I’ve heard diatomaceous earth is some pretty gnarly stuff so I’m hesitant and nervous to try it. I guess I’ll have to research it more. As for today I used systemic granules and neem. I’m so nervous about the spreading!!!

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    • GreenLeaf

      Use a mask when you are applying it. Once it’s on you shouldn’t have to do it again. Unless you get it wet, then you’ll need to remove the layer and reapply. Once your plant is clear of pests, then remove the layer and replace with fresh soil. Being in Canada I can’t get certain systemic treatments that may be available in other countries. So for me DE is the best and easiest product to use. It works for any pests that will live in the top layer. It shreds their bodies causing then to dehydrate and die. You can coat your entire plant with it, but for me I’d rather use a insecticide spray to treat the foliage.

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  4. eatyacarbs

    UGH this sucks I’m so sorry! There are only one or two plants in my collection that I would go all out to save - it’s THAT much of a pain in the butt

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    • PrincessBoiRyder

      I threw out a couple plants a few months ago before it spread to my pride and joy babies. I couldn’t risk the spread!

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