So I’ve had this calathea for a while now and it has been infested with what I think is spider mites (if it’s not pls let me know) and I was just thinking would it be such a crime to just get rid of it? 😬 it pains me but I’ve done everything from taking it out completely and spraying it down with neem to the dawn dish and isopropyl method it just really wants to have bugs.
I’m of the mind that if the plant is not bringing you joy any longer for whatever reason, there’s nothing wrong with getting rid of it to save your sanity. This hobby is meant to be enjoyed and if the plant is taking that away… 🤷🏼♀️
5 Me gusta I needed that little push 🌿🫶 thank you
3 Me gusta It’s hard! We put all this time and energy and love into caring for these plants so I totally get the hesitancy. But once the care of the plant turns into a chore (derogatory) instead of a chore (affectionate), it’s ok to let it go once you think you’ve reached that point. It sounds like you did what you could to recover the plant, but to my (second hand) knowledge, if it is spider mites, they’re a total pain in the tushy to get rid of. One of my friends has been battling them for a bit so I hear all about it.
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Unrelated but the dog in your PFP is so cuteeee!!
1 me gusta Thank you! She’s such a sassy girl and my neediest plant and I adore her.
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I 100% agree! I just threw out the same plant yesterday - it’s been an ongoing battle with spider mites. It’ll do good and recover and then a few months later… spider mites again. Tired of treating and dealing with it even tho it was hard to throw out cause it’s soooo pretty!
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I assume you may have taken action in the last hour, but if you still have them sitting around and find yourself eoth the extra energy, I highly recommend a mixture of 2 cups water, 6 drops or a teaspoon isopropyl alcohol, 2 tablespoons neem oil, and 1 tablespoon peppermint castile soap. All that in a spray bottle either is worth a shot, or if im too late should help clean up any stragglers trying to get into any other plants.
1 me gusta Thank you I already gifted it to the hillside behind my house but I’ll definitely use that to spray my other plants 😁
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For future reference: Dr dooms insecticidal super soap. I unpotted all my infested plants, tossed them in the shower and sprayed the hell out of them in every little crevice. Then basically drowned them in the soap. Let them sit for a minute and then sprayed the hell out of them again. Also sprayed the area (walls/table/shelf) that they were kept. Few days later I saw very minimal amount on one plant, just sprayed it with the soap again and haven’t had them since. I’ve tried neem with peppermint Castile soap and alcohol before but didn’t like that it left a coating I’d need to wipe off or risk the plant burning/suffocating.
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If you’d still like to try saving this one, I’ve had some luck and spraying mine with Arber’s insecticidal spray. That one doesn’t seem to smell too bad 😅 Then, leaving my plant outside (if possible). Natural predators will eat a lot of what the spray doesn’t kill.
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Easiest way to get rid of them is give the plant a shower every couple days for a while. I use a hand held shower and gentle spray. It’s worked for me a couple times. But just in case, keep it away from the other plants. I’ve just let mine sit in the shower on the bench. And it was in there during showers.
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Burn it
1 me gusta Love this energy. I threw that thing over the hillside with a lot of force for all the pain and suffering it caused me :)
0 Me gusta Your awesome.
1 me gusta Is there a way to like follow you?
0 Me gusta Lmao unfortunately I don’t think so !
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Let me tell you! Dawn soap in water dunk got rid of spider mites for good on two of my plants. I just filled a bowl of water with Dawn and dunked her in there! Then I rinsed her and dried her off.. boom! Pests be gone!
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