Ant or Ants? It could mean aphids, but they are usually pretty easy to spot, too. Especially on a vine like that, I would think. Do you have a magnifying glass by chance?

Isn't hemicrypta a winter grower? If it is (like my elephantipes) I would water more regularly in the winter, and very little in the summer. No?

Hi Tom,
Mine has been growing since last May. One description reads semi-perennial and another says perennial.
Of course I can't find the magnifying glass when I need it, however, I did find tiny spider webs. I am new at all this and this is my first encounter with spider mites? So I need to bone up on the subject. But I am wondering if I am being attacked from 2 different sources. Will do the soapy spray and see what happens.
Mike

Tiny spider webs = mites or small spiders. Usually spider mite infested leaves take on a characteristic yellow mottling. A magnifying glass is not needed to spot them, just a normal set of eyes. Check under the leaves, they will look like tiny orange/ brown spheres, and they do not move unless it's mating time.

It's important to determine if they are indeed mites, before they spread and do serious damage to other plants.

With mites, soap spray daily underneath the leaves for about 7-10 days will keep them in check. More important is to prevent them.

x

Hi x,
Good to hear from you. Gave the plant a good soaking as suggested on another of our favorite sites to see if ants or earwigs were nesting in it. Washed each leaf with soapy water. No critters appeared but found tiny ants and webs elsewhere on sill. Apparently that window sill and other plants are hosting some varmits. Going to give a good dusting. Hate using an insecticide but I may not have a choice here. There is a "pencil plant", a fockea edulis, milis etc on the same sill. (I know you hate nicknames for plants but I am too lazy to go look them up at the moment).
Mike

Hello, Are you ok of your problems? Personally, I used some soft soap with a little spirit and water. It works very well. On the other hand, I do not understand too much the frequency of watering. Thank you for your advice.

Plant is doing fine now. Thanks!
Mike