Well the annual spider mite invasion has begun on my young cucumbers which will spread to the tomatoes soon enough, can someone recomend an organic treatment that i can use throughout the growing season that doesnt cost the earth or burn the plants please. It just needs to keep on top of them as they continue to turn up regardless, thanks.

try googling plant soap spray it might work on spider mites (does on aphids)

hi erb,

sorry to hear about ur mite issue,

just had a quick scout around and found B&Q do an organic insecticide,for use on all kinds of veggies,thoughout grow...

it includes spidermite and is only £3.98 for a 1litre bottle....

anyway hope that helps u can check it out online..

huggles mrscc xx

i think you should look into neem oil.

another idea just came to me buy a load of citronella candles and use them to fumigate your green house (might not work but at least your green house will smell nice if it doesnt work)

Thanks all, i was looking at neem but it seems a bit pricey. Ideally it needs to be something that i can pop in the pump spray with a load of water and soak everything every few weeks to stop them from taking hold. I have thought about buying buzz off or something similar but it would work out too expensive, I dont mind spending money on my indoor stuff but i resent throwing money at my veg especially when i know i will have to do it again soon enough.

Type in biological control for spidermite into google there is a predatory mite for use in glasshouses
Phytoseiules persimilis u should be able to get these through the post from varios companies.

Will they last through till end of september?

They should last if u give them the right conditions u will need to read up on the species . Try keeping ur humidity up in veg, red spidermite thrive in hot dry conditions but i gave up n went hydro never had a problem since .

I have been looking into the neem oil as well - not only for my weed and flowers, but for my herbs and veg as well.

my garden is surrounded by tall bushes/trees which I love for the security/privacy - but these bushes seem to attract black and greenfly and all sorts of other bugs who get blown onto my plants or fly onto them.

I have seen Neem Oil on Ebay for 3.99 for 100ml with free delivery. It is 100% pure - and I think that is quite cheap - especially as I could spend the same amount in Homebase for a litre of bug killer spray for fruit and veggies. Other prices I have seen is £19.99 + delivery of over a fiver for 250ml - so Ebay seems the cheapest way to go for me.

Anyone know are there any restrictions on spraying Neem oil on strawberries and tomatoes and general herbs (mint, oregano, basil, etc ? Obviously, I plan to be spraying every plant in the garden.

I have read that it is used as a preventative - and kills the pests by making them not eat or shed their skin - hence not reproducing and wiping out the infestation. Don't want to be feeding the family stuff that might be bad for them though.

SL

Neem oil is a great product......quite expensive yes, but 1 bottle will last ages.
I have a litre bottle that is so old all the writing has come off.

You need to be quite careful about the neem you buy......you need cold pressed neem oil with at least 1500ppm of the active ingredient.....azadarachtin (sp??).

It has a systemic action and stays in the plant for about 6 weeks.
It can also be used as a root drench.

Have a scout about for Organix neem oil..........that is what I use.

ATB

THIS IS WORTH A READ - Uses & Preperation Of Neem Oil

Thanks for the info FAI - I am not sure how to post a link here - but I have also read in the Knowledge Base under How to stop plants being oily using Neem - the following

"Cold-pressed Neem oil has much higher levels of active ingredients and is well worth the money. A good place to find this stuff is from a Pharmacy that stocks herbal remedies. (It is used as a treatment for head lice.)"

Of course I didnt do my research properly - the £3.99 one is not cold pressed.

Found cold pressed - usage includes Head Lice - £13.99

TBH - I have lots and lots of plants in my garden at any one time all year round, ranging from annuals, to Shrubs/Perennials and normally just spray with soapy wash when problems arise - but am liking the sound of the neem hoping it will work better than the soap.

So have ordered this now - just to see how it goes.

Cheers

SL