Anyone out there good with plants-Spider plants in particular?

Have a spider plant plant where i work and the recptionist is a little eager in watering.We noticed v small creatures in the soil-whitish with legs!The plant it self looks ok andno creepy crawlies on it-Any one got any ideas!Thanks

Anyone out there good with plants-Spider plants in particular?
Spider plants are real toughies so I'd just take it out of the pot knock off all soil give the leaves and roots a rinse and repot in fresh compost.Give all round the area where the plant stood a real good hoovering and don't let her near Spidy again!
Reply:Spider plants do not need a lot of water. take it out of the pot, flick off the crawlies or put a few soap bubbles on them, let it dry outside a bit, dish wash the pot and buy some clean compost (not garden soil then re pot it leaving a nice gap between the top of the pot and the soil. If any of the leaves are brown or damages just snip them of it will soon come back.
Reply:They are either mealy bugs or white files...could also be a combination of both.



Spray with a indoor plant insecticide ask for at your local nursery. Be sure to take a sample of the bugs (make sure you take them in a closed plastic bag) for further analysis.
Reply:Well, Spider Mites they ain't. If they where, they would look kind of reddish,and make webbing around and under the leaves. I have a couple of Spider Plants, About twenty years old,or older. We water them one time a week in the winter,and more than a few in the hot summer. Ours are kept outside because they are way too big for inside the house. Now I have seen those types of buggy's in the soil of some of my other plants. They are almost microscopic. I don't know what they really are,but I contribute them to the breaking down of the soil,or decomposing of it. I have only guessed that the soil wasn't sterilized,and the decomposing of it ,along with to much water have caused some dormant bug eggs to hatch. My suggestion would be to first get some fresh potting soil, and bake it in the oven for about 30 minutes. Afterward add sand and perlite to it before transplanting. And once you have gotten the plant out of the old soil,stick it in a tub of soap and water to make sure the eggs aren't clinging to the roots. Give it some Quick Start to prevent transplant shock. Good Luck,hope yours lasts and long as mine has. Byee
Reply:Agree with MBlue's suggestion. Spider plants thrive on neglect. Once weekly watering is plenty. don't know what bugs you have but your description isn't spider mites. The mites leave spots the size of this . all over the leaves and are characterized by fine webs. (Spectracide 3 in 1 will murder them)



This will sound strange because spiders don't like wet feet - the pups will live for years in nothing but water.
Reply:these are called spider mites eighter change the soil or get some spray to get rid of them the room that they are in might be too warm too
Reply:Re pot it then don't water too much ( I doubt the creatures are there from over watering though- more likely to be heat)

Spider plants are tough plants and can last for ages without water
Reply:They're probably larvae of white flies, a common pest. While they won't do massive harm to the plant, they are annoying. You'll need to use any of many liquid options to get rid of them, ranging from insecticidal soap to an actual insecticide. Spider plants are very tough things and will actually do better on the dry side, so tell the receptionist to back off with the watering can.