Two weeks ago they showed up in full invasion of our two smaller Tulsi plants that are gracefully accepting to be filmed for my blog posts.
For this particular blog post I've actually used a video recording that will be posted on youtube as it was easier to simply make a video of the procedure I'm doing to remove spider mites than trying to explain it in writing.
I've done it in three parts so here they are:
Part 1 - Tulsi under spider mites invasion
Part 2 - What you need
Part 3 - How you get them off
I hope you will find these videos helpful. If you have any questions please leave a comment.
Good luck with getting rid of them.
Can't see the videos here.
ReplyDeleteNamaste,
ReplyDeleteSorry about that Emily, I see them in my blog.
They are published on youtube and here are the links:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGVjqAA-VjA part 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W78e4cbWjPE part 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4PNLPIoPb4 part 3
Because I was getting filmed I used just a little bit stronger jet of water than I use usually. When you will be doing it yourself try what is strong enough.
Thank you for your comment.
Yours truly.
Hare Krsna prabhu,
ReplyDeleteI want to know if is possible to help to Tulsi to get a strong stem, my Srimati Tulsi has Around 10 months and her stem is thin and she is tall, thanks for your answer.
Hare Krsna,
ReplyDeleteThat is one of the things you have to live with.
I found that if I take out the tips of budding branches after they grow three pairs of leaves it makes Tulsi branch out to two new branches which makes the stem before the branching out part a little thicker. As you are doing that on a regular basis she will develop on her sides instead of just going to height.
The fact she is tall means you probably have enough light for her which is good but if she is too tall and her stem is not strong she can easily break at the roots level.
I would suggest you to give her a support by tying her up to a stick you have to provide her with using a peace of cloth or a little bit ticker thread that is not going to rub her bark too hard and try following the procedures I mentioned in first, second and third cutting blog posts to understand how to cut those tips and help her create more branches, thus making her stem thicker.
In general, she is not going to have a thick stem like you would expect from a tree of that height. In my experience when grown at home the thickest part of the stem will be approximately 5mm even after 5 - 6 years of being at your home.
I hope this helps.
Namaste,
Besko
Hi Besko, Thank you for sharing these helpful videos! In my tulasi plant, I notice small whitish (cotton like) buds showing up at the base of stems, and leaves. I'm pretty sure its some kind of disease, as I have seen these in the previous tulasi plant I've had (and unfortunately lost). I don't see spider mites as yet, although I will give it a wash like you've suggested anyway, jus to be sure.
ReplyDeleteDo you have any ideas what they might be? Also, how can well tell when we should water tulasi? I live in a place with desert like conditions, so very hot, very cold. So my tulasi stays indoors always.
Namaste Akila,
DeleteThese small whitish cotton like buds are a nasty type of bacteria fluffs that luckily I haven't experience with our Tulsi yet. They commonly occur it the winter time when it is damp and cold.
My friend who was taking care of Tulsi's in the temple for years told me the best natural cure for them is to make a tea from marigold flowers and spray your Tulsi with them.
I think you could get Marigold flowers bunch in any better stocked flower shops.
All it takes is about 10 flowers. Take the flower stems away, leaving only flowers, boil the flowers in 1 lit of water until it boils to half a lit i.e. half of water evaporates and you are left with strong antibacterial tea. You then strain it through a cloth, wait to cool down and spray your Tulsi with it.
Keep the tea in fridge to repeat the treatment next week again and do it for several weeks.
Please don't forget to warm the tea up a little bit before repeating the treatment as it will be too cold when you take it out from fridge as Tulsi's don't like coldness, better to be warm a little bit than cold.
Also, remove all the white fluffy things before treatment and as soon as you see them come back if they do.
A good exercise of love, care and attention to your Tulsi.
Pay close attention to spider mites during winter as that is their favorite time too.
Re: Watering
The best way to know how often and how much to water Tulsi is by learning to guesstimate it using your finger. Gently push your finger into the soil about half way between Tulsi stem and edge of pot and feel if there is dampness about half or in a bigger pot about one centimeter from surface. If it is dry she needs more water, if still damp no need. It is better if you water her a little bit every day than a lot once in two weeks. I remember when Tulsi was about 20 centimeters high I used to water her one table spoon a day.
I was adjusting it to the time of the year. In the summer it would be three times that...
Test for yourself, you will quickly figure it out if you do it regularly.
Good luck, please let me know how did you go.
Besko, Thank you so much for your detailed information. It's very helpful! I will pay attention to your tips, and hopefully my Tulasi will be taken better care this year, thanks to your earnest reply and interest in growing Tulasi.
ReplyDeleteHi Besko, thank you for uploading videos. I would like to know what specific soap you'veused
ReplyDeleteI've used Dr.Bronner pure Castile soap. You can buy them in well equiped pharmacies, many organic shops etc. Here is the link to Australian webpage to see how it looks: www.drbronner.com.au
DeleteYou will find liquid soap in there. It is usually 1 litre and last time i bought, it costed $25 in Melbourne CBD. It's really good.
I think I used menthol one
Delete