Getting GH Ready for Plants

[vikkib]

Last year I had red spider mite in the GH at home for the first time.

I had good intentions of getting the GH thoroughly cleaned before Christmas but time got away from me (as it has a tendency to) but I would like to get it straight before I plant out my toms, cukes and aubergines in there for this year.

I'm armed with J***** fluid and a sulphur candle but I'm not sure if my plan of action / order of doing things is on the right track!

I've still got the insulating bubble wrap up in there and i was planning on taking it down and giving it a wipe on both sides with some J***** fluid solution.

Similarly with the staging, was thinking of taking it out and giving it a wash down.

Also got an auto opener in there so thinking I need to take that off before using the candle so it doesn't open and let the smoke out!

Should I leave all of those things out of the GH when using the sulphur candle or would it be better for them to be in there so they get treated too... I'm worried the little blighters will be hiding in the joints of the staging/the edges of the bubble wrap etc.

Other than that I need to pick a day when I have time to do all the scrubbing with a night warm enough to evict the fig tree I've got in a tub in there at the moment! Everything else can go in the cold frame!

[vikkib]

Bit of a post-Easter bump!

[WendyC]

When I did my greenhouse in October (?) I think I gave it a good wash with the J fluid and the lit the sulphur candle to burn over night, so no need to worry out the vent opening. I washed down the staging outside and then put it back in for the smoking. I would make sure you block up any little cracks and crevices, ie joints in the greenhouse frame so the smoke lingers in the greenhouse rather than pours out through the gaps. I used scrunched up balls of masking tape and taped round the door after I have lit the candle. Don't know if you have used a candle before but the fumes are horrible - don't breathe it in!

[andy_j]

To be honest, red spider mite comes and goes whatever you do.

To reduce the likelihood of getting it, keep the area out of direct sun and keep humid.

Red spider mites love direct sun and lots of heat.....spraying the underside and top of the leaves with tepid tap water should kill them.

Also, pests such as red spider thrive on plants which are stressed through neglect. I have two very large datura which cost me a fortune. I look after them like they're my kids and no pests last year.

However, i also had an Oleander and as it only cost £2, i tended to neglect the watering and feeding and it was covered in spider mite.