Tomato Russet Mites - Identification and Control

rnewste · August 2, 2010

This just received from Cynthia at Love Apple Farm:

"""The heartbreak of TRM:

Holly Hayes, the venerable, much-missed garden writer for the San Jose Mercury News, wrote about "The Heartbreak of Tomato Russet Mite" back in 2007.

http://blogs.mercurynews.com/garden/...o-russet-mite/

Well, the dreaded microscopic insect has reared its ugly little head again in the San Francisco Bay Area, and it seems to be running rampant. Signs of infestation are yellowing, browning, wilting and eventual death of the plant. All from something you can't see!

Although Holly suggested sulfur to control the mite, I've found that you may want to take faster action. A product with a miticide in it is the ticket. Organically speaking, several insectides help with mites. The one I like is called Azatrol and it's available at Mt. Feed & Farm in Ben Lomond or at some hydroponic stores. Call around to find out what sort of pesticides your local nurseries may have that control mites.

We've had a cooler than normal spring and early summer here in coastal central California, and that has helped spread the mite.

Don't delay. You will lose your plants if you don't take care of this! If you already have, consider an advance, prophylactic spray next year. Or better yet, get a 30x hand lens and monitor your plant's leaves, looking for signs of the tiny, oval-shaped mite.

http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/r783400111.html

Other plants in your garden may be affected too: peppers, eggplants, potatoes, tomatillos are all sister plants of tomatoes and the russet mite likes them as well. So you may want to spray those crops with the Azatrol along with your tomatoes.

This pest has brought even the most experienced gardener down. Don't despair, there is always next year. Never give up learning about your garden and trying to make it right."""

What Next??

Raybo

August 2, 2010	#1
rnewste Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Campbell, CA Posts: 4,064	Tomato Russet Mites - Identification and Control This just received from Cynthia at Love Apple Farm: """The heartbreak of TRM: Holly Hayes, the venerable, much-missed garden writer for the San Jose Mercury News, wrote about "The Heartbreak of Tomato Russet Mite" back in 2007. http://blogs.mercurynews.com/garden/...o-russet-mite/ Well, the dreaded microscopic insect has reared its ugly little head again in the San Francisco Bay Area, and it seems to be running rampant. Signs of infestation are yellowing, browning, wilting and eventual death of the plant. All from something you can't see! Although Holly suggested sulfur to control the mite, I've found that you may want to take faster action. A product with a miticide in it is the ticket. Organically speaking, several insectides help with mites. The one I like is called Azatrol and it's available at Mt. Feed & Farm in Ben Lomond or at some hydroponic stores. Call around to find out what sort of pesticides your local nurseries may have that control mites. We've had a cooler than normal spring and early summer here in coastal central California, and that has helped spread the mite. Don't delay. You will lose your plants if you don't take care of this! If you already have, consider an advance, prophylactic spray next year. Or better yet, get a 30x hand lens and monitor your plant's leaves, looking for signs of the tiny, oval-shaped mite. http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/r783400111.html Other plants in your garden may be affected too: peppers, eggplants, potatoes, tomatillos are all sister plants of tomatoes and the russet mite likes them as well. So you may want to spray those crops with the Azatrol along with your tomatoes. This pest has brought even the most experienced gardener down. Don't despair, there is always next year. Never give up learning about your garden and trying to make it right.""" What Next?? Raybo