Aussie Gardening

[Destinee79]

Hi again,

I noticed a few days ago that a leaf or two started to get some dark spots on their leaves. I'm not too sure exactly what it is but I think its some kind of bacterial/fungal infection?
Also I noticed a webby residue on the leaves and there are small lumps on the stems which I think they are Aphids?
Can I just cut off the stem with the web to prevent further infection or just leave it on?
Thanks in advance

[Correa]

Hey Destinee
I think it’s a type of mite, it’s a member of the spider family and the common name is in fact spider mite. The webbing and the necrotic cells on the leaves with the ring of chlorsis are typical mite damage.

It could be something like a spidermite, they are distinctively red/orange. Look on the back of the leaves with a magnifying glass and see if you can find anything.

Im not very good with treatments, so maybe someone else could help you out there

Regards

[Destinee79]

Thanks, I did see some red spider mites yesterday on my capsicum plant but I have since sprayed it with Natrasoap.
I still see those lumps on the stems which i'm still not sure what it is..

[person1]

Yep certainly spider mite.

Incredibly fast multiplying little critters.

[Destinee79]

Is it bad to keep using Vegetable/Tomato Dust on a regular basis?

[person1]

If you have to keep using it it is obviously having little effect on these critters.

You need to find something that will wipe them out or else they will kill your crop. They will suck it dry.

If it is a small number of plants you might consider mechanical control.

Spider mites live on the underside of the leaves and you can simply wipe them off with a wet rag and a small amount of pressure. You would have to do this several times as you will miss eggs. They have a life cycle of about 7 days I think.

If you are using a dust and dusting from the top you are probably not affecting them in the slightest.

edit

The lumps on the stems look to me like the tomato stem is growing roots possibly in reaction to the spidermite infection.

Tomato stems can grow roots, I have seen it happen.