Cyclamen: Cyclamen Mite

Problem
Leaves become curled, wrinkled, and cupped in scattered areas. New leaves may be more severely affected, remain very small, have a bronze discoloration, and be severely misshapen. Flower buds are distorted, and may drop or fail to open.

Analysis
(Steneotarsonemus pallidus)

Cyclamen mite is a very small mite related to spiders. These mites attack a number of houseplants, and can be very damaging on cyclamen. Their feeding injures the plant tissues, causing the leaves and flower buds to be malformed and stunted. They infest the new growth most heavily, but will crawl to other parts of the plant or to other plants. Cyclamen mites reproduce rapidly.

Solution
Spray plants with a miticide containing hexakis that is labeled for use indoors. Repeat every 2 weeks until new growth is no longer affected. Discard severely infested plants. Spray plants according to instructions given in Spraying Houseplants. Houseplants showing cyclamen mite damage should be isolated from other plants until the mites are under control. Nearby plants should be observed closely so that if symptoms appear, they can be sprayed. Avoid touching leaves of infested plants and then touching leaves of other plants. Avoid working in the outdoor garden and then on indoor plants without washing up and changing clothes.