Lets get some definitive answers! Want the experts to hand this to us! I am sure someone knows for sure! (don't say Mites!) we have checked, right Theresa?

Barry, I don't think I have any mites.What do you look for?
Theresa

Check the thread I started : leave curl - overwatering?

It is beginning to look like we have micro-mites.

I have been straining my eyes to see this picture(it happens with age). #2 looks like all of the taller ones are blocking the light from it.
But to be on the safe side I would isolate the ones with curled leaves. If it is broadmites or any other mite, you do not want them to spread to the healthy ones. With my bad eyes the only way that I can detect mites is by touch. I feel of the leaves and stalk, if they feel gritty (mites feel like very fine grit) I give them a warm bath with Dawn Direct. The whole plant, roots and all. Yes this means repotting. I know it is a lot of work and potting mix but if they are on your plant chances are they are in your soil as well. Oh and after the nice warm bath I pull all the leaves off.
But it may not be mites. How are the roots on the ones with curled leaves? Does the cuttings have enough root to feed the leaves? How is the air circulation in the room that you have them? Are the drain holes in your cups large enough to also allow for air to the roots? There is so many factors that can cause this. Have you used any fertilize? Fertilize too soon can also cause leaf damage.
But for sure move these away from the healthy ones.
Janice

Barry, Thanks for the heads up.It's doesn't sound like good news.The funny part is the 3 plants that are the most obvious are all from different sources.Looks like I'll be pulling leaves off! How about you now?

Janice, Sorry for the poor detail. I will get some better pics later.What temp is the water bath? What is Dawn Direct?
I will try some of the recommendations.Thanks.
Theresa

What's a good source for plastic pots?
Theresa

Dawn Direct is dishwashing liquid that I use in my kitchen. You can use any whatever you have in the kitchen. I just use warm water that is not too hot for my hands. I am one of the oldtimers that never measures, just do not scald the plants.
Whether you are bringing in cuttings from you own plant, cuttings from a friend, or buying cuttings, it pays to carry them to a sink or bath tub and give them a good wash down. No one intends to send out cuttings with a mite or an egg, but it could and does happen.
The cups you are using are fine, just make sure the drain wholes are large enough and not clogged. If you could get a couple of web flats to put the cups in, it would help with air flow. But if you really need pots, you could check with a local nursery. I purchase my pots by the cases from Growers Supply. I like to start my cuttings in 2" pots on web flats. If the cutting is too thick for the 2" then I use 4" and keep them on a web flat.
I hope this has helped you.
Janice

Thank you, Janice! It looks like I will be very busy after all.Could I reuse the soil if I pour boiling water through it? I just checked my cuttings again! Yikes! Now it looks like 10 cuttings have some kind of damage.Some just have leaves at the bottom that are curling/brown edges, the tops look healthy. Do you know if that is indicative of the beginning of a mite infestation? Oh, & I ran my fingers down the stems and leaves.Hard to tell with the stems but,some of the fuzziless(is that a word?)leaves felt a little gritty.
Theresa

Theresa what size pots are you looking for? I have thousands, all sizes.
Karyn

Karyn, I don't even know what size! I guess all different sizes? Maybe mostly small to medium for starting plants inside & repotting brug cuttings!LOL NOT!!!! Are you offering?
Thanks, Theresa

Theresa

Good info above!

RE: your question to me- that was two Double White cuttings I could see that may have trouble.

And broadmite are virtually invisible and they cause similiar damage to the leaves that are showing a problem.

Isolate them!

Brenda

Just let me know what size and how many. You can just pay for the shipping. We just stack the used containers outside of the greenhouses and unfortunately they eventually end up in a landfill. I'd rather have someone use them then add to the pollution. The recycling company won't take any of that stuff. They are so damn picky about what they will pick up. Not only that but all the recyclables need to be washed out so you waste water washing them to put them out on the curb. Doesn't make much sense to me. I have everything from 2" to 30" diameter pots as well as cell packs and plug trays. Remember I have a nursery! lol
Karyn

I have never run boiling water through soil so I cannot answer that question. In my younger days I would put potting soil in a vat/container that had drain holes, then pour bleach water through it. I am too lazy for that now.
If your leaves felt gritty then yes you have a few mites.
In the years of growing brugs I have learned to feel of the leaves very often. Even if the leaves look healthy. This is the only way that I can catch them before they do a lot of damage. I am glad that I live so far in the country that my neighbors can not see me on a ladder feeling leaves once a week during the summer.
Good luck.
Janice

Broad mite damage is consistant with rolled under leaves and also could be associated with brittle deformed leaves at the growth tip. Sometimes the lower leaves become rolled under on the edges and can get that shiny bronzed look. Then they will concentrate on the growth tips and can do alot of damage and spread to other plants if not controlled.

The broad mites are fairly microscopic and you won't be able to see them the way that you see the red and two-spotted spidermites. Broad mites actually like humidity too unlike the reg spider mites so misting your plants with water wont help. The females can also lie dormant in the soil overwinter as well.

What they don't like is heat so you can try immersing the whole plant: roots, leaves and all in hot water (43-49 C which = @ 109-120 degrees F) for 15 minutes.
I have tried this and it was a messy job lol. I took a pair of pantyhose and cut off the leg and put it around the pot and tied it around the plant stem best I could and just dipped the whole thing. For larger plants I really don't see how it could be done-but others have tried some interesting things, I think.

From what I have heard, tried, read: the two best working miticides are forbid (spiromesifen) and Avid (abamectin). Apparently with forbid being the better of the two. I haven't had these mites this year (thankfully)so I haven't used it lately but apparently the mites will build up a resistance so rotating methods helps vs using the same thing all the time.

Nasty business - those broad mites.

I'm watching out HARD for those guys. I am treating for spider mites right now - probably from the plumies - but you can betcha - I'm keeping an eye out for any hint of broad mites.

Oh man they can just absolutely devastate a plant - the term "catatrophic" is appropriate for those nasties.

(shiverrrrr!)

that's catastrophic

Jeeez

I think I'm stripping the leaves first, then spraying with Raid. Sounds like the easiest and quickest way first.
Karma mentioned steam. I have a commercial drapery steamer. What do you think?
Theresa

Oh & Karyn,
I will take you up on your offer for pots.Thanks so much!I'm thinking mostly 6 to 8"? What do you think?
Theresa

A 6"-8" pot is normally about one gallon in volume and is a good size to hold a rooted cutting in. I'll sometimes pot cuttings in a 4" square pot to save space but they outgrow them pretty quick. Here's a nursery pot chart that's fairly standard. Just let me know what you want. I'll pack them in as small a box as possible.
Karyn

Here is a link that might be useful: pot sizes

threas, I would use the hot water spray first. I'm still working on the steamer requirements. I tend to burn them at close range. But I love my steamer for cleaning the greenhouse walls and pots!!

oohhh!!!Great idea, Karma.Using the steamer to clean. I knew there was a reason I was holding on to it!LOL

Karma,another question:When removing leaves from brugs,how do you remove the top tip growth? Do you lop it off back to the stem?Or crefullt remove just the leaves?
Theresa

the curling leaves is usually broad mites. you can try shaking the plants over a white piece of paper this will show you if you have spider mited as they will fall on the paper It is just about the only way I can see them .I posted my mite controll method on a couple of other posts about mites.I hope it helps.

Oh I forgot to mention get a ph meter sometimes when the acid level is too high 6.5 or more the leaves will curl and get brittle due to some kind od nutritional defency.I like to keep the ph level between 6.5 to 7.0 ie 6.7 seems to work best for me anyway.