Portulacaria afra Fine Webbing - Causes & Fixes

Jump to cause: Two-Spotted Spider Mite Infestation Broad Mites Extreme Low Humidity

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Two-Spotted Spider Mite Infestation

Spider mites thrive in the warm, dry conditions often provided to Portulacaria afra. They pierce the succulent leaves to feed on cell contents, leaving behind fine silken webs as they create colonies.

Very Common

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How to confirm: Hold a white piece of paper under a branch and tap it to see if tiny crawling specks fall onto the paper.

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1 Isolate the plant immediately to prevent the mites from spreading to other greenery and spray the foliage thoroughly with an organic miticide.

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2 Increase humidity around the plant and avoid leaving the soil too dry, as spider mites thrive in arid environments.

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3 Gently wipe the leaves with a damp cloth to physically remove webbing and any remaining mite colonies.

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Broad Mites

While they do not produce large webs, broad mites can cause leaf distortion and sometimes contribute to a fine, dusty appearance that may be mistaken for webbing in young growth.

Common

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How to confirm: Inspect the newest, most tender growth for stunted or deformed leaves.

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1 Inspect the new growth and undersides of leaves for distorted, stunted, or thickened foliage to confirm the presence of broad mites.

2 Apply an organic miticide spray to the plant to eliminate mites and their eggs.

Bonide Captain Jack's Neem Oil 32 oz

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3 Isolate the affected plant from your other greenery to prevent the mites from spreading via air currents.

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Extreme Low Humidity

While not a pest, extremely dry air can cause the fine hairs on some plant structures to become more prominent or cause desiccated leaf fragments to clump, mimicking a webbed appearance.

Rare

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How to confirm: Check if the leaves are also shriveling or turning crispy at the edges alongside the webbing.

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1 Increase local humidity around the plant to prevent leaf desiccation and mimic a more natural environment.