quietobserver
Omono
I didn't want to start a new thread on spider mites but was really curious if anyone had ever tried the "submersion method". I'm considering using a large bucket and some smaller trees I'm sick of spraying, that and some IPA and a thermometer to make certain the dunk tank stays hot enough and I'll be good.
"Wrap the hibiscus plant pots in some kind of fabric and use a twist tie to secure the fabric around the base of the plant. The fabric must let water through, so don't use plastic bags, or you will carefully protect any pests that are living inside the pot and soil. Large socks or pantyhose work well to wrap up small pots, and pillow cases work well for large pots.Lay several hibiscus plants on their sides, pots and all, in a bathtub. You can put many of them close together in a single layer in the bottom of the tub.Fill the tub with water that is bathwater temperature - about 90°F (32°C). It should not be so hot that you can't comfortably keep your skin in it. What feels too hot to skin will risk damaging your plants' leaves.Fill the tub until all the plants are covered, and weight the plants down to make sure all parts of all plants are submerged in the water. (An easy way to weight them is to cover the plants with two large towels, then to pull the two shelf racks out of your oven and lay those carefully over the top of the towels.)Leave the plants submerged in the water for 45-60 minutes.Drain out the water and stand the plants up in the tub until the excess water drains out of the pots.Remove the fabric covers, and scoop any loose soil in the fabric back into the plant pots.Leave the plants out of bright light for a few hours to rest, then put them back where they belong. Be careful not to water the plants again until the soil dries out after this thorough soaking.
Unless plants are recontaminated by exposure to another infected plant, plants should remain free of spider mites, aphids, and other pests for 4-6 months or more. This method has the added advantage of leaching out any build-up of fertilizer salts in potted plants, which needs to be done once or twice a year. So it is two plant-care activities in one."
http://www.hiddenvalleyhibiscus.com/care/spidermites.htm
"Wrap the hibiscus plant pots in some kind of fabric and use a twist tie to secure the fabric around the base of the plant. The fabric must let water through, so don't use plastic bags, or you will carefully protect any pests that are living inside the pot and soil. Large socks or pantyhose work well to wrap up small pots, and pillow cases work well for large pots.Lay several hibiscus plants on their sides, pots and all, in a bathtub. You can put many of them close together in a single layer in the bottom of the tub.Fill the tub with water that is bathwater temperature - about 90°F (32°C). It should not be so hot that you can't comfortably keep your skin in it. What feels too hot to skin will risk damaging your plants' leaves.Fill the tub until all the plants are covered, and weight the plants down to make sure all parts of all plants are submerged in the water. (An easy way to weight them is to cover the plants with two large towels, then to pull the two shelf racks out of your oven and lay those carefully over the top of the towels.)Leave the plants submerged in the water for 45-60 minutes.Drain out the water and stand the plants up in the tub until the excess water drains out of the pots.Remove the fabric covers, and scoop any loose soil in the fabric back into the plant pots.Leave the plants out of bright light for a few hours to rest, then put them back where they belong. Be careful not to water the plants again until the soil dries out after this thorough soaking.
Unless plants are recontaminated by exposure to another infected plant, plants should remain free of spider mites, aphids, and other pests for 4-6 months or more. This method has the added advantage of leaching out any build-up of fertilizer salts in potted plants, which needs to be done once or twice a year. So it is two plant-care activities in one."
http://www.hiddenvalleyhibiscus.com/care/spidermites.htm
