thrips on Thai Constellation
Quick answer
If your Thai Constellation has thrips, the most likely cause is: Thrips are miniscule insects that look something like long, light-colored gnats and are very difficult to see with the naked eye; on Thai Constellation they target young leaves and tender new growth, leaving stippling or speckles on the foliage, and they carry viruses between plants, which makes even a small infestation a serious threat.
Start here:
- 1. Spray Thai Constellation thoroughly, including new growth and leaf undersides, with Neem or All Season's Horticultural Oil so the thrips are coated and killed on contact.
- 2. Apply insecticidal soap or Conserve (spinosad) on the same schedule, and combine Conserve with Neem for greater effectiveness against thrips populations on variegated Monstera foliage.
Why Thai Constellation gets thrips
Thai Constellation
Thrips are miniscule insects that look something like long, light-colored gnats and are very difficult to see with the naked eye; on Thai Constellation they target young leaves and tender new growth, leaving stippling or speckles on the foliage, and they carry viruses between plants, which makes even a small infestation a serious threat.
How to reverse thrips on Thai Constellation
- 1
Spray Thai Constellation thoroughly, including new growth and leaf undersides, with Neem or All Season's Horticultural Oil so the thrips are coated and killed on contact.
- 2
Apply insecticidal soap or Conserve (spinosad) on the same schedule, and combine Conserve with Neem for greater effectiveness against thrips populations on variegated Monstera foliage.
- 3
Repeat all controls every seven to ten days for several weeks because thrips lay eggs that are resistant and will hatch after a single treatment.
Keep thrips off this Thai Constellation
Inspect new houseplants with a hand lens before adding them to the collection and isolate any suspected carriers, since thrips are tiny and easily introduced from outside plants.