Pest

Broad and cyclamen mites

Mites too small to see that twist, harden and stunt new growth and buds on houseplants and strawberries.

What you'll see

• New leaves come out twisted, cupped, puckered or stiff, often curling down at the edges.
• Buds turn brown or black and fail to open, and shoot tips may die.
• Bronzed or russeted leaf undersides and stems, while older leaves look normal.
• No mites visible, even with a hand lens; the damage often appears suddenly and in patches.

Why it happens

Microscopic mites feed in buds and young leaves, and their saliva distorts new growth. They spread on new plants, on hands and where leaves touch.

How to fix it

1. Move the plant away from others at once, and wash your hands after touching it.
2. Cut off and bin badly distorted shoots and buds.
3. For a valuable plant, immerse the whole plant and pot in water held at 110°F (43°C) for 30 minutes.
4. Or spray insecticidal soap or horticultural oil into the shoot tips, repeating as the label allows, and keep kids and pets away until it dries.
5. Discard plants that stay distorted; these mites are very hard to clear.

Keep it from coming back

• Check the shoot tips of new plants and keep them apart from your collection for a few weeks.
• Don't let infested plants touch others, and handle clean plants first.
• Judge progress by new growth; leaves that are already distorted stay that way.

Sources

• Missouri Botanical Garden: Cyclamen and broad mites
• UConn Extension: Broad mites and cyclamen mites on greenhouse crops

General guidance, not a diagnosis. For valuable, edible or outdoor crops, check with a local extension service or plant expert. Use any product exactly as its label says, and keep children and pets away while it dries.