Hey all. Yep. I’ve done it. I have an outdoor during the day/ indoors at night plant. It’s about 5 weeks old and from what I’ve researched has stretching going on. And it’s a little small. I was clearing away a tiny cobweb when I pinched a part of the leaf and it came off. I literally already messed up one side of the same leaf! SMH. I’m so mad at myself. Is this going to hurt my lil Buddy? I appreciate all advice and words of encouragement. I am a pure beginner.
I’m extra worried. It was a thin not really formed. Just kind of leaf to another leaf. I pulled it off and checked underneath. I didn’t see a spider on any of the leaves. I’m just kicking myself for hurting my Buddy. Ugh. I could just slap my hand. But thank you for letting me know the leaf will be okay. I think I will invest in some repellant. Man I feel so bad I just did that.
Are there any white to cream-colored tiny spots on your leaves??? If so, that bit of web was from spider mites! The damage and mites look like this- and later Note how tiny the mites are- they are easy to miss and will hide under the leaves. Now you DON'T want to use poison on your plants- you will be smoking them and inhaling any sort of poison is not a good idea! So what to do? You use insecticidal soap to kill the mites- it's nothing but soapy water. It kills small insects by stripping off their waxy coating and they die of dehydration! No poison is needed! Since it is just soap and water, you can easily rinse it (and the dead mites) off with plain water the next day. No nasty residues on your plant! I like to use Dr Bronners Peppermint soap- it smells nice and is effective, but any liquid Castile soap will work. For small plants, I just make up a bucketful and dip the whole plant. (A piece of cardboard with a slit holds in the soil.) Here's more info- How to Use Dr. Bronners As Insecticidal Soap. (news - 2014) https://www.hunker.com/12257372/how-to-use-dr-bronners-as-insecticidal-soap And for another common problem- Got Powdery Mildew? Get Milk! (news – 2002) https://www.thefrugallife.com/mildew.html ALWAYS USE THE LEAST DANGEROUS CONTROL METHODS FIRST! As for the leaf damage- no big deal! The plant will be fine! Granny
You are amazing! Thank you so much. I will follow the directions in the link. I do believe I’ve got a start to a mite problem. But not too many webs. If I can catch it now I think it should be okay.
