---
title: "Hello! We just bought this dragon fruit from the hardware store…"
description: "Hello! We just bought this dragon fruit from the hardware store garden center about a week ago. I know it has spider mites because I see webs so I’ve been…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/vOLjreBcQ-OpqrHIhVSc4w/vcTsbs49gy5RvaYTI7hcUb"
community: "The Cactus & Succulent Circle"
author: "LoloSunshine"
published: "2025-05-31T14:18:55.094559Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/t3pzpDaZ7U7QQZb7GdxrIXmpLHBGSfl5U7nfxJIg5O8/AejoStS2SPiMlhIpyuy85A.webp?size=large"
---

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# Hello! We just bought this dragon fruit from the hardware store…

_Posted by LoloSunshine on 2025-05-31_

Hello! We just bought this dragon fruit from the hardware store garden center about a week ago. I know it has spider mites because I see webs so I’ve been spraying it with neem oil (that’s why it looks wet right now) but I feel like there’s probably some other problems and I’ve just started noticing these orange spots and I can’t figure out what they are.

Any ideas? What can you tell me about the health of this plant? I tried the diagnostic tool, but it didn’t help.

![Attachment 1 of 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/t3pzpDaZ7U7QQZb7GdxrIXmpLHBGSfl5U7nfxJIg5O8/AejoStS2SPiMlhIpyuy85A.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 2 of 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/t3pzpDaZ7U7QQZb7GdxrIXmpLHBGSfl5U7nfxJIg5O8/SlkKAwGhRfmxBGByg5szhw.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 3 of 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/t3pzpDaZ7U7QQZb7GdxrIXmpLHBGSfl5U7nfxJIg5O8/gZZaRraUT_ybY7ZgR3dROQ.webp?size=large)

## 3 comments

### fuey commented on 2025-05-31

I don’t think you have the right plant in planta, but it does look like a Pitaya.  
I fear that the constant spraying with neem oil is causing it to rot. You should be drying it a few minutes after spraying and getting in the crevices of the plant with a cloth or Qtip to help dry it. If it is infested, you should not have it anywhere near your other plants.  
It also seems like you’re in more of a southern climate, so maybe putting the plant outside may help as spider mites are natural prey outdoors, but wait for a 2nd opinion.

#### LoloSunshine replied on 2025-05-31

Thank you for the info and advice! Much appreciated 🙂

#### fuey replied on 2025-05-31

Pests on desert plants can be a longer process because they’re less forgiving to the treatment, which is commonly a liquid.  
You got this though! Maybe there’s a section, especially that lower branch that’s at the way bottom, that you can attempt to propagate just in case? It would have to be a relatively healthy piece.

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