Spider mites on Catasetum

[hanzy08]

Update: I have been diligent with using neem oil this past few days and yesterday, I started the alcohol and so far I have not seen any mites starting to populate. The high humidity I think helps a lot with keeping them at bay. Usually they are back within three days after the initial treatment without a follow up.

[lepetitmartien]

Shower to eliminate part of them (just mecchanical)

Treat (the way you want, fast)

Feed your Catasetum, they attack catasetums in dryer environments especially when they are underwatered/fed. Catasetum need MORE. You can even let the pot into a little water (or more) while it's growing.

And get rid of that oxalis, it's a waste of fert. Your Catasetum needs the feed.

[NYCorchidman]

Well, it takes some time when the damage is this bad and visible.

First, remove those oxalis. They easily host mites.
Two, when you water, check the back of the leaves for mites. When you catch their presence early one, washing off every few days should take care of the problem.

[hanzy08]

Thanks for all of your input guys! Well.......... I treated the plant for a whole week and it worked. Neem oil, raised humidity and alcohol spray but i noticed that the media went sour and bad that i could i smell it. Im not sure what had caused this and the damaged part on the leaves turned brown and fell off one by one and of course the spike dried up and aborted. So i decided to repot it and start fresh. So now I am left with a leafless immature bulb and I'm not sure where it is going from there. Another new growth maybe? This is my first catasetum and i didn't know that they host spider mites like that. Ugh!

[lepetitmartien]

Catasetinae are very fast at catching these when it's too dry or they are underfed, they really are famished when doing their growth. Once the roots can establish (not before this, wait always a little) it's time to feed Shrek!

Else it'll come back over and over…

On the care of the pseudobulb in these conditions, ask some more knowledgeable cultivator, I'm only on the phytopathologic side of things here. I can't tell if it can start over or it will go back to sleep.

[NYCorchidman]

neem oil and alcohol (not combination of both necessarily) might be why your plant is browning and dropping things.
Not all plants are happy with neem oil or alcohol.
As suggested, washing off with just water or gentle soapy water (followed by rinse with water) will easily take care of red spider mites. You have to repeat because they lay eggs and they hatch every few days under ideal conditions.

[hanzy08]

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

neem oil and alcohol (not combination of both necessarily) might be why your plant is browning and dropping things.
Not all plants are happy with neem oil or alcohol.
As suggested, washing off with just water or gentle soapy water (followed by rinse with water) will easily take care of red spider mites. You have to repeat because they lay eggs and they hatch every few days under ideal conditions.

Thanks for all the input. Now that I am informed, I know how to deal with them next time. Crossing my fingers on this mini catasetum!

[lepetitmartien]

Medium time between generations of spidermites: 7 days. You have to be thorough, and repeatedly so in order to cut the cycles at work.