Q. Two years ago, you correctly diagnosed our tomato
plants with spider mites from pictures we sent. Last year we got spider mites
again. We started most of our tomatoes from seed last year but bought a few
plants from a local nursery and planted them in each of the vegetable beds. Is
it common to get spider mites from nursery plants?
plants with spider mites from pictures we sent. Last year we got spider mites
again. We started most of our tomatoes from seed last year but bought a few
plants from a local nursery and planted them in each of the vegetable beds. Is
it common to get spider mites from nursery plants?
A. I don’t know how common it is for pests to be brought
in from plant nurseries but I know it is more common than I would like. I have personally
witnessed and identified disease and insect problems coming from nursery plants
(houseplants, transplants, fruit trees and landscape container plants) before they were
planted.
in from plant nurseries but I know it is more common than I would like. I have personally
witnessed and identified disease and insect problems coming from nursery plants
(houseplants, transplants, fruit trees and landscape container plants) before they were
planted.
 |
| Some disease problems on locally purchased container fruit trees. Sometimes insects and diseases can be problems when purchasing nursery materials. This disease infection may have started in the wholesale nursery first and passed on to the local consumer by the retail nursery.Avoid buying problem plants and introducing them into your home garden or landscape. |
Some plant problems are easy to see and others are not
and don’t develop fully until later. Growing plants free of insect and disease
problems requires knowledge about the pests, a clean growing area and a regular
prevention and treatment program.
and don’t develop fully until later. Growing plants free of insect and disease
problems requires knowledge about the pests, a clean growing area and a regular
prevention and treatment program.
 |
| Off-color leaves and spotting of leaves can be indicators that they are not healthy or they were poorly cared for. |
 |
| Purchasing nursery transplants can sometimes bring problems into the garden. It can be a problem when low prices are an expectation by the nursery or garden center which may encourage a lack of care or over application of pesticides by the greenhouse producer. Inspect your plants before purchasing and avoid buying those with problems at the get-go. |
If possible, put plants in isolated areas until you are
sure they are “clean”. This is a common recommendation when buying houseplants.
Houseplants are frequently loaded with disease and insect problems and infest other
plants once inside the house.
sure they are “clean”. This is a common recommendation when buying houseplants.
Houseplants are frequently loaded with disease and insect problems and infest other
plants once inside the house.
 |
| Fireblight disease was brought into this planting of apples and pears by introducing an infected Bartlett pear tree from a retail nursery. Once established, this disease spread to other European and Asian pears causing a lot of destruction and loss of plant life. |
When bringing home plants, spray them with oils and soap
and water sprays before planting. Don’t bring home “bargain bin” or dumpster plants
thinking you’ve got a deal. You are asking for trouble unless you know what
you’re doing. Don’t risk contaminating pristine plants by mixing them with
plants unknown to you.If you must do it, keep them isolated from other plants until you are sure they are healthy.
and water sprays before planting. Don’t bring home “bargain bin” or dumpster plants
thinking you’ve got a deal. You are asking for trouble unless you know what
you’re doing. Don’t risk contaminating pristine plants by mixing them with
plants unknown to you.If you must do it, keep them isolated from other plants until you are sure they are healthy.
As far as spider mites on tomatoes are concerned, inspect
plants using the “white paper method” and a hand lens. Remove weeds growing in
the containers, remove dying or damaged leaves, spray plants with soap sprays,
and alternate with neem and other oils when you see them. Inspect plants
plants using the “white paper method” and a hand lens. Remove weeds growing in
the containers, remove dying or damaged leaves, spray plants with soap sprays,
and alternate with neem and other oils when you see them. Inspect plants