Which plants are commonly attacked by spider mites, and how can they be prevented?

The most annoying thing about growing flowers is spider mites! Although these little bugs look like just a few small red dots to the naked eye, they are ruthless when they chew on leaves. Within a few days, the leaves turn sickly yellow and are covered with spider webs. As for which plants are easily plagued by spider mites, roses, hydrangeas, clematis, chrysanthemums and jasmine are all hard-hit areas.

Roses: Roses are simply the dream flower of spider mites! Rose leaves are glossy and full of nutrients, and on top of that, many flower growers like to plant roses densely, so the ventilation is poor, creating an extremely comfortable living environment for spider mites. As long as the temperature is suitable, spider mites can multiply madly on roses, and within a few days the leaves will be covered with dense little yellow spots. In severe cases, the leaves of the whole plant look as if they have been dusted with a layer of flour and lose their vitality.

Hydrangeas: Hydrangeas are also very attractive to spider mites. Especially in summer, when the weather is stuffy, hot and humid, and hydrangea leaves are large and full of water, spider mites love to cling to the undersides of the leaves and quietly suck the sap. If you find that hydrangea leaves suddenly become listless, carefully turn the leaves over, and there is an eight in ten chance you will find spider mites.

Clematis: Clematis looks tough, but in fact it cannot escape the clutches of spider mites either. Spider mites love to do damage on new leaves and tender buds. Once clematis is targeted, the growth of new buds is hindered, the branches also become thin and weak, and flowering is seriously affected.

Chrysanthemums and jasmine are also targets of spider mites. There are many varieties of chrysanthemums, and whether large-flowered or small-flowered, they are easily attacked by spider mites in a hot, dry environment. Jasmine has fragrant flowers and green leaves, but it cannot escape either. Once spider mites arrive, they not only affect its ornamental value, but also make jasmine grow worse and bloom less and less.

In fact, spider mite outbreaks are mainly caused by an environment that is too comfortable. A hot, dry environment with poor ventilation is simply their "happy hometown." For people growing flowers on balconies, in summer when the window is opened, the air does not circulate and the humidity is low, and spider mites love to gather in such places and do damage. Therefore, the first step in preventing spider mites is to improve the environment!

To prevent spider mites, ventilation and humidity must be managed well. No matter what kind of flower you grow, it must be placed in a well-ventilated place. Balcony growers can open the windows more, or put a small fan next to the flower pots to get the air moving. Then there is increasing air humidity. When you have nothing else to do, use a spray bottle to spray water around the leaves, but do not always spray water on the leaves of roses and clematis, as they are prone to black spot disease. Just spray water on the ground and the surrounding air.

In daily care, frequent inspection is also very important! At least once a week, part the leaves and look them over, especially the undersides, where spider mites love to hide and lay eggs. If you find a small number of spider mites on individual leaves, do not hesitate, cut the leaves off directly and do not let them spread! Never casually throw the cut leaves into the flower pot; seal them and throw them straight into the trash.

You can also fertilize the plants in advance to strengthen their resistance! Every month, bury some organic fertilizer in the flower pot, such as fully rotted sheep manure or worm castings, which can both improve the soil and make the plants grow strong. You can also use fermented rice water diluted with water to water them, which replenishes nutrients and also adjusts the soil pH, making the plants healthier.

If spider mites have already appeared at home, do not rush to buy pesticides. You can first try homemade insecticides: mash garlic and soak it in water, or cut chili peppers into small pieces and boil them in water, then filter and put the liquid into a spray bottle, and spray hard on the places with bugs. If there are too many bugs, then you have to use professional insecticides, such as abamectin or pyridaben. Dilute them according to the instructions and spray. Remember to spray 2 - 3 times in a row, with an interval of 3 - 5 days each time, to completely eliminate spider mites.

When you have nothing else to do, check the undersides of the leaves more often. If you find small red dots or fine spider webs, start cleaning them up right away, and if it is serious, spray pesticide to deal with them. Growing flowers is not easy. Only by paying more attention can these "bug magnets" stay away from spider mites and bloom healthily!