Alice sundew with Spider Mites? Rare but Treatable
Drosera aliciae
Spider Mites on Alice sundew: What to Know?
Spider Mites on Alice sundew (Drosera aliciae) is a pest condition with high severity. Alice sundew has low susceptibility to this disease. Spider mites are tiny arachnids (less than 1/20 inch long) related to spiders and ticks that feed on plant sap. They thrive in hot, dry conditions and can cause significant damage to ornamental and ve...
Alice sundew is a easy-care plant. Recovery from Spider Mites takes approximately 21 days with proper treatment. As an indoor plant, ensure good ventilation to aid recovery.
Unlike most plants, Alice sundew has natural resistance to Spider Mites. Best treated with preventive measures rather than reactive treatment. Unlike fungal diseases, Spider Mites on Alice sundew responds quickly to integrated pest management.
ð What Does Spider Mites Look Like on Alice sundew?
- âĒ Pale discoloration spots on leaves
- âĒ Fine silk webbing covering leaves and stems
- âĒ Tiny yellow or white speckles on leaf surface (stippling)
- âĒ Leaves taking on yellow or bronzed appearance
- âĒ Flecking and scorching of foliage
- âĒ Reduced chlorophyll content
- âĒ Premature leaf drop and potential plant death
â What Causes Spider Mites on Alice sundew?
- â Hot and dry weather conditions
- â Low humidity environments
- â Water-stressed plants
- â Dusty conditions on foliage
- â Overuse of pesticides killing natural predators
- â Poor air circulation around plants
- â Bringing infested plants indoors or near healthy plants
ð How to Treat Spider Mites on Alice sundew?
TLDR: Treat Spider Mites on Alice sundew with quick treatment (~11 days) or organic (~21 days). Alice sundew has low susceptibility to this disease.
Quick Fixes
Step 1
Immediately spray all affected plants with rubbing alcohol (70% isopropyl) diluted 1:1 with water
Step 2
Apply insecticidal soap or horticultural oil directly to visible mites
Step 3
Wipe leaves with damp cloth to physically remove mites and webbing
Step 4
Spray undersides of all leaves thoroughly with water mist
Step 5
Repeat alcohol or soap treatment every 3 days for 2 weeks
Organic Treatment
Step 1
Isolate infected plants immediately to prevent spread
Step 2
Spray undersides of leaves with strong water stream daily to dislodge mites
Step 3
Apply neem oil solution (mix with Coco-Wet) every 3-5 days, covering all plant parts
Step 4
Use insecticidal soap spray at 3-day intervals until control is achieved
Step 5
Apply diatomaceous earth to soil surface and lower leaves
Step 6
Introduce beneficial predatory mites (Phytoseiulus persimilis) for ongoing control
Step 7
Monitor plant daily and repeat treatments as needed
ðĄïļ How to Prevent Spider Mites on Alice sundew?
TLDR: Prevent Spider Mites on Alice sundew with 9 essential preventive care practices.
- â Maintain adequate irrigation and soil moisture levels
- â Inspect plants weekly for early signs of webbing or stippling
- â Wash trees and vines with water mid-season to remove dust
- â Install drip irrigation systems for consistent moisture
- â Track hot and dry weather and increase watering during high-risk periods
- â Provide shading during extreme heat
- â Encourage natural predators like lady beetles, predatory mites, and minute pirate bugs
- â Quarantine new plants before introducing them to your collection
- â Maintain optimal growing conditions through proper fertilization and temperature control
ðą How to Care for Alice sundew to Prevent Spider Mites?
ð§ How to Water
Use only rainwater, distilled or reverse osmosis water. In the growing season, keep the pot in a saucer with about 1 cm of water and top it up when it dries. In winter, take it out of the saucer and keep the mix just moist.
âïļ Lighting
A very bright window or morning sun. If the plant is green with no dew, it needs more light. In summer, shield it from the hottest midday sun.
ðŠī Ideal Soil
A lean, acidic half-and-half mix of peat or sphagnum moss with perlite or washed sand. No ordinary potting soil or fertilised compost.
Frequently asked questions
Can Spider Mites kill my Alice sundew?
How long does Alice sundew take to recover from Spider Mites?
Is Spider Mites contagious to other plants near Alice sundew?
Sources & References
- Spider Mites / UC Statewide IPM Program
- Integrated Pest Management for Spider Mites
- How to recognize and manage spider mites - OSU Extension
- How to Get Rid of Spider Mites Effectively
- Spider Mites: Causes, Early Signs, Prevention, And Treatment
- Drosera aliciae - Wikipedia
- Drosera aliciae (Princess Alice's sundew) - RHS
- Drosera aliciae (Alice's Sundew) - Gardenia.net
- Sundew 'Drosera aliciae' - Araflora
- Drosera aliciae Species Profile - Fierce Flora
- Drosera aliciae - Carnivero