Indocalamus / Sasa and Bamboo Mites

[johnw]

What are the chances of getting bamboo mites when ordering these two Genera from nurseries?

I had a brush with these mites back when I got a Fargesia robusta from British Columbian nursery quite some time ago and do no want another leaf burning session.

Exactly how widespread is this mite problem? I could hardly believe the disfigurement they caused in several major bamboo collection in the greater Vancouver area.

johnw - +24c and sunny

[dependable]

In general, any time one brings a new plant on their property, they risk bringing in critters or pathogens with it. In the case of greenhouse propagated material, which would probably include sasa and indocalamus in your region, one should be on the lookout for infestation. You can inspect or ask for assurances that the vendor you are buying from is clean. In the case of box store and retail places, the people working there will not have a clue. If you buy from a real nursery, hopefully they know the condition of their product and are honest.

[johnw]

In general, any time one brings a new plant on their property, they risk bringing in critters or pathogens with it. In the case of greenhouse propagated material, which would probably include sasa and indocalamus in your region, one should be on the lookout for infestation. You can inspect or ask for assurances that the vendor you are buying from is clean. In the case of box store and retail places, the people working there will not have a clue. If you buy from a real nursery, hopefully they know the condition of their product and are honest.

Dependable - I always check things thoroughly and treat appropriately even if I have only a suspicion. I guess my question is really how widespread this mite problem is in the USA. Has it reached the midwest or eastern USA? And do they persist on outdoor bamboos from year to year in the northeast? With the chains bringing in bamboos from sources which may be dubious and gardeners importing from all over and unaware of the hazards this could be a ticking time-bomb.

One of the books mentions birds as being a vector for mites from garden to garden and they certainly love to hang out in bamboos.

johnw - 23c at noon, sunny.

[pokenei]

Not sure if bamboo mites and Spider mites are one and the same.
From my observation, spider mites do not survive the winter chill.

Has anyone ever had a mite infestation that came back after winter?

[bamboothew]

I think there are several different mites that can attack bamboo. There is some sort of mite here that really seems to like Arundinaria, I am still battling those nasty little devils from when I dug wild appalachiana last year Fortunately I got permission to dig divisions from another one I found that didn't seem to be infected. Whatever they are, they love appalachiana but barely seem to bother gigantea. Found a few signs on some Ind. tess but not much. Phyllos and others seem unaffected. Of course, though, the whiteflies and aphids have made up for it