What are these white things? Mites? or something else

diloretta · 02-01-2009, 10:41 AM

I thought this situation was under control but apparently it is not.

I have a young potted musa basjoo that was too little to leave outdoors in Upstate New York this winter so its been living in my living room. A few weeks ago I posted here that I was having mite problems and it was suggested that I flush out the dirt in the shower - which I did 3 times - and use a soap spray and maybe an alcohol/water spray - I do that everyday. I did all that and cut off the brown leaves. The plant instantly acted better and had a new leaf and another one on the way.

I've been checking the leaves everyday since. Two of the leaves are droopy and have millions of small brown spots on the undersides

and white things

. I wash those white things off everyday.

diloretta

Patty in Wisc · 02-01-2009, 12:18 PM

I think those white things are aphids. If there is a way to blast the leaves with a sprayer or hose, do it. Lay the plant on it's side by K sink & spray the leaves & rub them off. Then, using about a tsp (or good squirt) of dawn dishsoap to 8 oz of HOT tap water (not boiling), spray the leaves top & bottom.

Bob · 02-01-2009, 02:47 PM

Hey diloretta, I think all you can do at this point is keep doing what you're doing. The shower sprays and soap treatments will keep it going until spring. I'm pretty sure that this is very common for basjoos held in a house where the conditions are not as ideal as a humid greenhouse or the outdoors. Next year I plan on spraying any bananas I plan on overwintering this way with soap before I even bring them in. Good luck.

stumpy4700 · 02-01-2009, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob

Next year I plan on spraying any bananas I plan on overwintering this way with soap before I even bring them in. Good luck.

AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Caloosamusa · 02-01-2009, 06:31 PM

I cannot see the detail on the white roundish objects to make a good identification. The brown spots however occur when it is cool and wet, with the leaves receiving moisture. This is what sigatoka looks like when it starts.
Do not rinse the leaves with water. Only wet the leaves when applying surfactants ( to get rid of insects) with a nutritional spray containing (CuSO4) copper sulfate to handle the leaf spot. Other than that do not wet the leaves. Maintain humidity without wetting leaves, minimize condensation on the leaf surface. Hope this helps.

Chironex · 02-01-2009, 10:20 PM

They sure look to be spider mites to me.

02-01-2009, 10:41 AM	#1 (permalink)
diloretta Diloretta Location: Elmira, New York Zone: 6 Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 31 BananaBucks : 43,589 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 1 Times Was Thanked 17 Times in 9 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2 Times	What are these white things? Mites? or something else I thought this situation was under control but apparently it is not. I have a young potted musa basjoo that was too little to leave outdoors in Upstate New York this winter so its been living in my living room. A few weeks ago I posted here that I was having mite problems and it was suggested that I flush out the dirt in the shower - which I did 3 times - and use a soap spray and maybe an alcohol/water spray - I do that everyday. I did all that and cut off the brown leaves. The plant instantly acted better and had a new leaf and another one on the way. I've been checking the leaves everyday since. Two of the leaves are droopy and have millions of small brown spots on the undersides and white things . I wash those white things off everyday. diloretta

02-01-2009, 12:18 PM	#2 (permalink)
Patty in Wisc tropical nut Patty in Wisc's Photo Gallery Zone: 5 Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 3,115 BananaBucks : 348,434 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 2,946 Times Was Thanked 2,510 Times in 1,203 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 69 Times	Re: What are these white things? Mites? or something else I think those white things are aphids. If there is a way to blast the leaves with a sprayer or hose, do it. Lay the plant on it's side by K sink & spray the leaves & rub them off. Then, using about a tsp (or good squirt) of dawn dishsoap to 8 oz of HOT tap water (not boiling), spray the leaves top & bottom. __________________ Got a lite? Patty ____ Patty in Wisc has sadly passed away 9/05/11. We will miss you Patty.

02-01-2009, 02:47 PM	#3 (permalink)
Bob Orang Puteh Bob's Photo Gallery Location: Washington Twp N.J. Find me on the map! Zone: 6a Name: bob Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 3,528 BananaBucks : 209,679 Feedback: 12 / 100% Said "Thanks" 9,537 Times Was Thanked 4,058 Times in 1,694 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 565 Times	Re: What are these white things? Mites? or something else Hey diloretta, I think all you can do at this point is keep doing what you're doing. The shower sprays and soap treatments will keep it going until spring. I'm pretty sure that this is very common for basjoos held in a house where the conditions are not as ideal as a humid greenhouse or the outdoors. Next year I plan on spraying any bananas I plan on overwintering this way with soap before I even bring them in. Good luck. __________________

02-01-2009, 06:31 PM	#5 (permalink)
Caloosamusa Caloosamusa's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,578 BananaBucks : 28,176 Feedback: 1 / 67% Said "Thanks" 3,829 Times Was Thanked 1,556 Times in 675 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 334 Times	Re: What are these white things? Mites? or something else I cannot see the detail on the white roundish objects to make a good identification. The brown spots however occur when it is cool and wet, with the leaves receiving moisture. This is what sigatoka looks like when it starts. Do not rinse the leaves with water. Only wet the leaves when applying surfactants ( to get rid of insects) with a nutritional spray containing (CuSO4) copper sulfate to handle the leaf spot. Other than that do not wet the leaves. Maintain humidity without wetting leaves, minimize condensation on the leaf surface. Hope this helps.

02-01-2009, 10:20 PM	#6 (permalink)
Chironex The causasian Asian! Chironex's Photo Gallery Location: Jakarta, Indonesia Find me on the map! Zone: I have no idea Name: Scot Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 2,788 BananaBucks : 122,307 Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Thanks" 4,544 Times Was Thanked 1,406 Times in 808 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 609 Times	Re: What are these white things? Mites? or something else They sure look to be spider mites to me. __________________ Scot

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