- 1). Examine the spots with a magnifying glass to determine whether your plants have mites or a fungus. In plants with mites, you may notice the small insects crawling along the surface of the leaves and stems or hanging suspended from the blossoms by small threads. Spots due to downy mildew and powdery mildew may resemble spider webs, but they appear thicker and puffier than those made by spider mites.
- 2). Wipe the white spots off the leaves and stems of your flowering plants with a damp paper towel, using a gentle touch. Check the undersides of the leaves for additional spots and remove those that you find. These spots are generally soft and easy to remove.
- 3). Prune off any damaged blossoms, stems and leaves. Remove the cut vegetation from the area to avoid new infestations or fungal problems.
- 4). Use a pesticide spray to kill any remaining spider mites that live on the stems and leaves, following the instructions on the pesticide label. Apply a pesticide soil drench to the area surrounding the affected plants. This soaks into the soil and kills any mites or eggs that you can't see. Repeat the soil drench two weeks later, or as directed on the product label. Apply a fungicide spray to guard against new fungal growth. Select products labeled for use with your types of flowering plants.
- 5). Use a small hand rake to loosen the top two inches of surface soil surrounding your flowering plants. Spread a one-inch layer of peat over the loosened soil. Using your hand rake, gently work this amendment into the upper two inches of loose soil, using caution to avoid damaging any surface roots. This helps increase the drainage in the area and minimize the risk of new fungal infections.
previous post