Author Topic: Rust mites on blood oranges  (Read 1276 times)

Yorgos

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 306
    • USA, Houston, Texas USDA zone 9a
    • View Profile
Rust mites on blood oranges
« on: March 17, 2019, 03:27:32 PM »
I have what looks like a severe rust mite infestation on my Moro blood orange. The interior are good and taste great but outside look horrible.  The satsumas in the same bed a few feet away seem unaffected.  I have had this issue with Meyer lemons and kumquats in years past but not this year.  The blood oranges are always affects as are my ujukitsus, though less so.  This pick is from the last blood oranges I picked last week.
How does one deal with this?
(Picture wont attach to this post for some reason.  I will try later)
Near NRG Stadium, Houston Texas. USDA zone 9a

Yorgos

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 306
    • USA, Houston, Texas USDA zone 9a
    • View Profile
Re: Rust mites on blood oranges
« Reply #1 on: March 17, 2019, 03:30:33 PM »

OK here is the pic from my query above.
Thanks
Near NRG Stadium, Houston Texas. USDA zone 9a

Millet

  • Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4798
    • Colorado
    • View Profile
Re: Rust mites on blood oranges
« Reply #2 on: March 17, 2019, 03:53:31 PM »
Rust mites causes damage to the peel, however the inside of the fruit is not affected by the mite.  You should be able to rid the mites with a good horticultural oil spray.  Spay early in the morning.

Yorgos

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 306
    • USA, Houston, Texas USDA zone 9a
    • View Profile
Re: Rust mites on blood oranges
« Reply #3 on: March 17, 2019, 05:15:07 PM »
Thanks Millet.  The mites didn’t seem to become a real problem until Aug/September.  I had applied an imidachloprid drench right after fruit set and wondered if that killed off beneficials such that mites proliferated later in the year.  I will be more diligent in spraying later in the year.
Thanks
Near NRG Stadium, Houston Texas. USDA zone 9a

mrtexas

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 366
    • USA, Sugarland,TX 9B
    • View Profile
    • MrTexasCitrus
Re: Rust mites on blood oranges
« Reply #4 on: March 21, 2019, 12:19:49 PM »
Spraying with dormant oil is a good control. Repeat several times.

Yorgos

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 306
    • USA, Houston, Texas USDA zone 9a
    • View Profile
Re: Rust mites on blood oranges
« Reply #5 on: March 22, 2019, 10:38:59 AM »
Spraying with dormant oil is a good control. Repeat several times.
Can I spray dormant oil during Aug/September? I have used neem since it seems a lighter oil during the hot season. 
Near NRG Stadium, Houston Texas. USDA zone 9a