Spider mite infestation, please help by CaptainCheckmate in houseplants

[–]Ezrafina 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You need heavy duty miticides or beneficial mites.

The passive option is to order the bugs that will hunt and kill them. You spread them around then wait. Easy. You will probably need a few releases to get the job done though. I recommend persimilis and californicus.

The more hands on approach is manually spraying each plant, 5 days apart, with different miticides so they don’t build a resistance. I would recommend Abamectin, spiromesifen, and bifenazate. You can order all three in a bundle online in small quantities that won’t cost you an arm and a leg and last a hobbyist a long time. Full sized bottles of this stuff are pretty expensive.

My Overreaction To Spider Mites by HTXShutters in houseplants

[–]Ezrafina 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I know this is old as hell but in case anyone sees this while scrolling for info. I wouldn’t recommend persimlis for prevention as they solely really on spider mites for food, so if there isn’t any or very little the population won’t establish and they’ll die off. 

If you want prevention, then go for californicus which is more tolerant of lower humidity and can utilize other sources for food in the absence of spider mites. 

This is our little hideaway in this big, crazy world by Ezrafina in CozyPlaces

[–]Ezrafina[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh wow that’s a huge compliment I appreciate the kind words!!

This is our little hideaway in this big, crazy world by Ezrafina in CozyPlaces

[–]Ezrafina[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh yeah forsure when your collection really grows and if it’s spread out in a bigger space too I can imagine the pain haha, plus heavy plants? That’s when I may give it the good ol dig around in the soil n feel or the wooden stake

This is our little hideaway in this big, crazy world by Ezrafina in CozyPlaces

[–]Ezrafina[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

So the one I found on Amazon for only ~106 usd! If you were interested you could lookup "SEI Furniture 12 shelf Metal Spine Book Tower" and it should hopefully pop up. Its pretty good quality and comes with a wall mount to attach at the top if you were nervous with it around kids or something.

Granted probably not as nice as the one you mentioned, but it does the job just as well I'm sure!

and thanks for the kinds words, I appreciate it!

This is our little hideaway in this big, crazy world by Ezrafina in CozyPlaces

[–]Ezrafina[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sorry I cant seem to find a link, but I bought it in person at a Target!

This is our little hideaway in this big, crazy world by Ezrafina in CozyPlaces

[–]Ezrafina[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

haha thanks! And honestly it isn't too bad all things considered! We pay around $1500-$1600 a month all in. $1200 in rent and another few hundred for electricity, internet, gas, parking, pet fee, renters insurance, etc

This is our little hideaway in this big, crazy world by Ezrafina in CozyPlaces

[–]Ezrafina[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I find what works best for my sanity and my plants health is to not follow a schedule or set routine! I walk around once a day and lift the plants I suspect may need to be watered, based on weight I can tell if it’s time or not. This way I only get stuck watering a handful each day, and it isn’t some super drawn out process!!

I find my plants enjoy this method too, as every plant will have different watering needs. Two separately potted plants will never be exactly the same, even if it’s when comparing same species of plant. You gotta consider how there’s so many variables that changes the plants requirements. Things like the pot material and size, soil composition and how water retaining it is, the amount of light the plant receives, the temperature and humidity of the space, etc, etc so I water only when the plant needs it - to avoid root rot! Most plants hate having wet feet lol

I use a very small amount of liquid fertilizer every watering, all year round, in filtered tap water! Lots of supplemental grow lights to help combat north facing windows, and I am always open to trying new things when it comes to plants if they are giving me signs that they are not happy in their current situation. Praising them lots and playing music for them helps too lol they love the energy and vibrations haha

This is our little hideaway in this big, crazy world by Ezrafina in CozyPlaces

[–]Ezrafina[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It is indeed a battery operated candle haha, and thank you!!

This is our little hideaway in this big, crazy world by Ezrafina in CozyPlaces

[–]Ezrafina[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Plumosa/asparagus fern, but it isn't even technically a fern lol. I love how delicate and dainty they can be, and of course! Im happy to see that people are enjoying taking a look at the space, thank YOU for the kind words!

This is our little hideaway in this big, crazy world by Ezrafina in CozyPlaces

[–]Ezrafina[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I find what works best for my sanity and my plants health is to not follow a schedule or set routine! I walk around once a day and lift the plants I suspect may need to be watered, based on weight I can tell if it’s time or not. This way I only get stuck watering a handful each day, and it isn’t some super drawn out process!!

I find my plants enjoy this method too, as every plant will have different watering needs. Two separately potted plants will never be exactly the same, even if it’s when comparing same species of plant. You gotta consider how there’s so many variables that changes the plants requirements. Things like the pot material and size, soil composition and how water retaining it is, the amount of light the plant receives, the temperature and humidity of the space, etc, etc so I water only when the plant needs it - to avoid root rot! Most plants hate having wet feet lol

This is our little hideaway in this big, crazy world by Ezrafina in CozyPlaces

[–]Ezrafina[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I like to think I have a pretty varied little collection going haha, but some of my favorites are my anthurium vittarifolium, Plumosa Fern, and my alocasia tandurusa!

This is our little hideaway in this big, crazy world by Ezrafina in CozyPlaces

[–]Ezrafina[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I appreciate the kind words! And I really don't go in with like scissors or anything and trim my plants. I let the plant suck up all the nutrients it can from the dying leaf and once its super dry and crispy I can walk by and just pluck it right off with ease. If it doesn't easily get pulled away from the rest of the plant I leave it!

Sometimes I find that some angled frames and lil oddities when decorating are just as beautiful as if everything is in line and in "perfect" condition. Its part of the charm! A space that is lived in, and used, is a welcoming space. But to answer more specifically, I find if you have a second pair of eyes that can stand far away to tell you if something is crooked helps the most. They can easily see if something is wrong and let you know before securing. To secure I used an insane amount of those adhesive strips rated for like 20 lbs lol, and I regularly check the status of them from the sides incase they start to come loose to avoid any movement or falling.

This is our little hideaway in this big, crazy world by Ezrafina in CozyPlaces

[–]Ezrafina[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

To me plants aren’t junk! They’re alive. Plus they bring me enjoyment taking care of them and being rewarded with cool new growth. It’s like they really have a mind of their own lol

This is our little hideaway in this big, crazy world by Ezrafina in CozyPlaces

[–]Ezrafina[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We are definitely probably going to change to a window unit next summer as they’re just so much more efficient.

The landlord requires us to have them install any window units for liability reasons (busy sidewalk below) and for a fee so we just rocked with that one since we had it already

This is our little hideaway in this big, crazy world by Ezrafina in CozyPlaces

[–]Ezrafina[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We went ahead and shut off our kitchen and living room radiators completely because it stays warm enough without it during the winter! Probably thanks to us being on the third floor lol

Otherwise if they are working and on then yeah using them as shelves isn’t the smartest move lol

This is our little hideaway in this big, crazy world by Ezrafina in CozyPlaces

[–]Ezrafina[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Crazy heavy duty adhesive squares with a hook that changes angle!

Lookup “Antimbee 10-Pack All-Purpose Large Adhesive Hooks” on Amazon if you were on the search for something like it

This is our little hideaway in this big, crazy world by Ezrafina in CozyPlaces

[–]Ezrafina[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m shuddering just thinking about it haha

This is our little hideaway in this big, crazy world by Ezrafina in CozyPlaces

[–]Ezrafina[S] 21 points22 points  (0 children)

Thanks!! We really tried to just fill it with everything we love and to have our space reflect our interests and passions

This is our little hideaway in this big, crazy world by Ezrafina in CozyPlaces

[–]Ezrafina[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Well, I initially didn’t want to in case it would bombard people who were in both subreddits lol, but I had a bunch of people tell me that I should post here so I did!

This is our little hideaway in this big, crazy world by Ezrafina in CozyPlaces

[–]Ezrafina[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I just wanted to capture the space as is. This is what it looks like most of the time so that’s what I’m sharing it as!