Will the spider mites affect my orchids? I'll get some spray tomorrow. Should I get neem oil?

Yes, they will affect your orchids. Spider mites like dry and dirty (dusty) environment; so a good wash goes a long way to controlling them. It is a personal thing for me; so I never recommend neem; it is very popular here; but it is a broad spectrum insecticide that also kills beneficials. I would try first with insecticidal/safer soap. If you google spider mites on orchids, you will get lots of advice there also,

But would you use the soap on the grapefruit tree?

I think it would be hard to "wash" my tree now that it's inside. I could always take it out again and wash it I guess.

Neem is less of an issue indoors (no beneficials). Plus it smells.

Insect.soap or diluted alcohol work well. Esp since you are in AZ you will want to mist frequently with water and perhaps use a fan, too.

The pattern doesn't look typical of spider mites, maybe it's further along than what I usually see. Under good lighting you can sometimes see tiny moving specks, or of course, the webs.

Since the pattern kind of follows the veins, I would wonder about nutrient issue.

The first pic looks a bit different, like the spots are tan? Whch would not be mites. My guess would be a contaminant that landed on the leaf, like a nearby spray of a cleaning product, for example.

Initially, only a few leaves were affected. The first leaf picture is earlier in the year. The bottom picture was taken today. There are no webs on the tree. It's suggested by another person that it might be a nutrient problem also. At this point in the year, should I feed it? That's why I didn't feed it earlier. The timing.

That particular pattern occurs when there has been a significant mite infection for an extended period. No nutrient deficiency that I know about causes that pattern. Here is a picture.

There's no picture. But there aren't any spots on the back of the leaves. And there aren't any webs.

Don't know why the photo didn't post; but it's there now. No webs means the mites are gone, not that they didn't cause the problem.

Oh, I see the picture now, but is that an actual photo? And what is it supposed to show? Are there supposed to be small holes in the leaf?

I never saw any webs on the tree while I had it.

I don't understand the question... of course it is an "actual photo" and it shows exactly the pattern of the OP. I repeat, that pattern is only seen when there has been a significant infestation over a significant period. The usual stippling pattern is what you see when you have an active and still short lived mite infestation. Anyway, believe what you want; but again repeating, I know of NO nutrient deficiency that would cause that pattern.

So if there are no mites now, then do I still need to treat it? The back of the leaf is intact. There are no holes in it, and it looks healthy for the most part. Is that consistent with a spider mite infection?

It is consistent. Do you need to treat now that there are not mites? Suit yourself. If it were mine, I would treat with alcohol or Safer soap just to be safe. You can put the tree in your shower and wash it very easily.

Thank you. I might have to get someone to help me because I'm disabled. Do you spray on the alcohol or soap first before putting it in the shower?

I would put it in the shower first; and later put the sprays as preventative.

Could I just take it outside and spray it with water? It's closer to take it outside.

Do what you want.... my advice is free

Hi Patti, although there are no signs of spider mites now, they might still be there. You can't tell for sure. Rinsing the plant helps a lot but might be the cure. I would definitely give it a shower to get rid of at least some of the mites that might be on the tree. Then you can spray some of this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00192AO90/ref=asc_df_B00192AO905238244/?tag=hyprod-20&creative=394997&creativeASIN=B00192AO90&linkCode=df0&hvadid=167118301188&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=646270042404124406&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9001961&hvtargid=pla-304552892136

or this: https://www.amazon.com/Garden-Safe-Extract-Concentrate-HG-83179/dp/B004QAWGIO/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1509250867&sr=8-4&keywords=neem+oil

The Safers soap is easier to use because you just spray it on but it may not be as effective but the neem oil is probably more effective but it requires mixing with a detergent.

To keep the mites away, put the tree in a tray with large pebbles and keep some water in the tray to create a humid atmosphere. Spray with water periodically and/or give it a shower.

Thank you. I'll go to the store and read the labels, but they sound good. I could use them for lots of things.

You can spray it with water outside, if that is easier. If you don't actually have mites now (they are very small) it will be less useful as this will not be removing them, but generally cleaning the leaves before winter is good. In other words, it would be good to do if you can manage it. Remember to get the bottom side of leaves,too.

The pebble tray is commonly suggested, however, I have tried it and generally don't think it works/ works well.

Misting with a bottle works much better and again remember to hit the undersides of leaves.

For spraying periodically over the winter, you can lay down some newspaper or plastic to spray indoors.

How often do you mist? I ordered some neem oil and a sprayer on Amazon today, but I'm not sure what to do for the detergent. Do I just add some dishwashing detergent to the sprayer?

I have a humidity tray for my orchid plants, but I don't have any pebbles in it. I guess they would increase surface area.

Thank you to everyone for your advice. You can tell, I'm a relatively new gardener.

This is what I use:

Neem Pro 2% Solution for one quart:

• 4 Tsp. Neem Pro neem oil

• 1/2 Tsp. Safer’s insecticidal soap

Add the soap to warm water first, then the oil. Shake well and shake periodically while spraying.

The soap is needed to make the oil (neem) and water mix together. I just add it dropwise and shake, until I see they are mixed. Warm water is also helpful. I use an unscented dish soap, but I believe castille soap is the best. Some dish soaps are kinda harsh, but the small amount needed here make that less of an issue.

You spray with your potion of choice (neem or insect. soap) periodically based on the life cycle of the pest, usually once a week or two weeks. Make sure the plant has been watered recently before you spray.

Mist with water as much as you can, you might just be careful of direct sun and cool AM/PM temps.

If you take it outside to shower it with the hose, make sure the water isn't too cold, it might be too much of a shock.