white moving spots?

[jimtx]

Some of my rose cuttings have 'white moving spots' ... what are these "critters" and how should I get rid of them? Very .. very small.

Thanks,

Jim

[Ann B.]

Jim,

Sounds like you have inherited some critters. Since these critters are on your cuttings, I would try some insecticidal soap. There are some homemade recipes out there, and I encourage everyone to post them. The only word of caution is that some household detergents may be too harsh for a few plants, so test them out first.

That should do the trick. Then just make sure you clean up any falling debree in the area of your cuttings.

I don't have very many harmful insects, just harmful caterpillars of all sizes, but I won't complain because I have butterfly attracting plants. I also have cucumber beetles and stink bugs, but that seems to come with vegetable garden, and I just do the best I can.

What I do have a lot of are those wonderful lizards that turn color depending on where they are. I rarely have problems with tiny insects because they feast on them. Every year, I see more and more little baby lizards, and although, they may be skiddish, they sure seem to be happy and stick around.

If you use pesticides, you discourage the beneficial insects and beneficial creatures and they will go elsewhere for food.

Good Luck!

[Kathy in GA]

Hi,

I'm wondering if those very tiny moving white spots would be Spider mites?

Do you think they are?
Ann is that correct?

Thanks,
Kathy in Ga

[Judi K.]

Speaking of insects, I discovered an orange catipillar with black, long hairs on his back eating my oleandar. Any ideas what kind of moth this is? I know that oleandar is a poisionous plant, but they love it. Unfortunately it looks as though it is trying to bloom again. I brought some of them in the house (catipillars), in a jar with some leaves. I thought I'ld see what they will do.

Judi

[jimtx]

I have used castile soap in water to get rid of black spot and insects before .... really works ..... just didn't know if I should use it on cuttings or not. Going to purchase a one gallon pump up sprayer to take care of the outside rose bushes. Have several friends who are also using it on their roses ... seems to do the job.

Appreciate this list .. have learned a lot

Jim

[Ann B.]

Kathy,

The insect world is so big, it is hard to tell what specific insect it might be. Spider mites will normally leave a cotton like web which is more noticeable than the insects themselves.

Judi,

I don't know what kind of moth/butterfly this is, but there were many, many just like you described eating on my plants. Some were 1/2 inch long and some were 1 inch long. They especially seemed to like my smaller passifora leaves. I picked off the ones that I could find, which was hard because they are usually on the underside of the leaves.

None of them got on my oleander, though. Perhaps, this is because my oleander is in the area where I see the most lizards, especially the baby ones. The lizards seem to like to hide in the big leaves of my air potatoe vine which is near the oleander and a huge, potted double red hibiscus. The lizards seem to keep all of the plants in this area free of insects.

Next year, I will be planting a air potatoe vine in the corner of my fence that I will be using to plant my new passiflora in the ground. Then, I will catch a few lizards, put them on the potatoe vine and make sure the critters have access to moisture and water. The only problem this presents, is keeping the air potatoe vine from trying to grow up the confederate rose which is nearby. Anyway, it is sure worth the try.

Good Luck!

[Ann B.]

Jim,

When I was at Walmart today, I found myself looking through the Day lilies that were in huge pots and on sale for $1.50. Then I saw them. Lots and lots of tiny white, moving spots.

Guess who passed up the bargain...

Oh, Well!

[jimtx]

Think I have killed mine .... or they have moved on to another area but I would have passed them up as well.

Plot to "do in" my cuttings .... critters are ganging up.


Jim

[Ann B.]

No, worry!

You are learning and sounds like you are getting it under control. If you see critters on the roses that you are getting cuttings from, just dunk the entire branch, leaves and all. in a bucket of water and gently swish it around. Or hose them off really good before you bring them home, that is, if there is a hose around. Most of these little creatures can't swim...

Have fun!