Should I convert to S/H now or wait?

[Roberta]

Catasetinae have a big spider mite issue, and that honeydew on the undersides of the leaves may be evidence of the start of it. You should spray with a miticide (I don't know what products are available to you so can't be specific) Not insecticide... mites are arachnids and need different pesticides. You can smother them with the soap/oil approach but you will need to repeat and repeat. Pyrethrins I think work on mites but I'm not sure. But do stay on top of the problem.

[marcmaubert]

Originally Posted by Roberta

Catasetinae have a big spider mite issue, and that honeydew on the undersides of the leaves may be evidence of the start of it. You should spray with a miticide (I don't know what products are available to you so can't be specific) Not insecticide... mites are arachnids and need different pesticides. You can smother them with the soap/oil approach but you will need to repeat and repeat. Pyrethrins I think work on mites but I'm not sure. But do stay on top of the problem.

Oh, I thought it was "happy sap", it tastes sweet. But I'll be on the lookout anyway, thank you!

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by marcmaubert

Oh, I thought it was "happy sap", it tastes sweet. But I'll be on the lookout anyway, thank you!

Precisely, it is sweet... sap from the plant that the little nasties are munching on, poking holes in cells and letting the sugar leak out so they can eat it. They are very tiny - I suggest not waiting until you see more evidence (such as whitish underside of leaves) ... by that time you may have a serious infestation.