Hello,

I had about 40+ indoor plants 2 weeks ago. I noticed spider mites, and treated with all sorts of things like neem oil, white oil and pyrethrum. I re-potted them all which finally got rid of the mites and through the whole process lost maybe 10 plants that just kept going downhill. The very day I celebrated that my plants had no more sign of mites, I relized that black dots were appearing on all of my plants, and even brand new plants had black dots and were not doing well. I had a brand new, very large fiddle leaf fig that was isolating in a totally separate room and it got black dots too! its spreading so fast, now this is what it looks like: On most plants, its very black or very very dark brown black dots the size of peas or smaller. on some plants, its a very small black dot the size of a pin head with a white spot in the middle. on my flf, it is those very tiny dots with the white centre. on some plants they are getting mushy on the leaves. I would like to know if anybody has any answers for me, how do I treat this!! I have so far treated with bi-carb, now with sulphur. Please help somebody! I now have only 10 sad plants I just want my big flf to be saved

* edit: I forgot to say, I also found mould on the window sills where my flf was isolating, im thinking its related

To be honest, it seems as if you panicked when you first saw bugs. You tried Neem Oil, white oil, and other things initially. I don't think that that was a good idea. The plants needed to dry out and calm down for a couple of weeks before you hit them again! All of those sprays not only stressed you out, they stressed the plants too.
And then you decided to repot them all. So they were experiencing stress on top of stress AND then you stressed them some more!
So now the plants develop a fungal problem perhaps. So what did you do, you sprayed twice more with more chemicals. It sounds like you have over reacted to the first issue and the plants have suffered! And they will continue to suffer until you calm down!

Take Neem oil for example. If you had taken the time to research this chemical application, you would have found out that it was a systemic! It works it's way into the very tissue of the plant. When applied properly it is a very effective insecticide!!! VERY EFFECTIVE! It controls mites, false spider mites, mealybugs, aphids, etc. it has to be applied correctly. AND now for the great part, it controls bacterial and fungal issues as well. There was no reason to use anything else. Something tells me in full panic mode that you didn't apply it properly and at an effective concentration. How did you apply it? I have been using it for about 9 years. That's all I use. I haven't had a serious issue with anything on my orchids in years.
I URGE YOU TO CALM DOWN, PLEASE.
The plants were likely kept too damp all the time which is why you probably have mold on a windowsill.
I suggest that you have let let things calm down, relax, and possibly your plants can recover a bit. In two weeks or so I will be happy to explain to you how I apply Neem Oil properly. If you do that and follow my directions I can guarantee that 99% of your issues will be over.
If you can take the survivors to the shower and rinse them off gently and thoroughly, that should help.

Oh wow how did you know that all sounds familiar. so, what next? my guess is sit and wait? thankyou for your reply. it is correct, I have been panicking and as a result have gone through my plants like a tornado. Yes, indeed, I was overwatering my plants before and also found root rot in the process of re-potting. I used a whole small bottle of pure neem oil which I now know is bad. what will this fungus do to my plants? will it hurt them, or go away?

* I see the last part of your comment answers my question. Ok, thank-you so very much I will do that. will my two big plants be safe outside near each other for the two weeks? they both havnt had neem just bi-carb and sulphur for the flf and the other treatments for the philo. the spots are appearing so fast

I think if you keep them shaded, they'll be fine!

For Neem Oil if you have several plants, you get a pump sprayer. I got mine at Home Depot. About 10-12 dollars.
I had 600 orchids and a gallon and a half sprayer. In the sprayer I filled it almost completely with water. Then added 3 drops of a mild dish detergent, then a tablespoon of Neem.
Then you pump up the sprayer and spray each infected plant, up, down, up and around, over and under. Let the plant dry off and don't spray if it will sit in the sun. Early morning works best.
You re-spray again in ten days to two weeks. The same way, the same concentration. AND then spray a third and final time ten days to two weeks later. The purpose of the soap is to help the Neem Oil stick to the plant. You repeat this spray once a month as a quick kill and as a preventative.
I was living in Florida when I started using Neem Oil and it did a wonderful job. If you do it faithfully, you can skip a spray after four or five months, the Neem will be in the plants tissues providing protection. But if you spray the beginning cycle and forget to re-apply after a months time, you have to start the program over.

I really appreciate your advice, thank-you. I feel alot better now I know there is nothing to do - just wait for two weeks and let them heal. At least going forward I have learnt to water them properly, sparingly, and not to mess with them so much. I will use that neem technique and I so look forward to begin restoring my collection and keep them healthy! much gratitude

Any time!
Good luck.

I think it is important to properly identify those "black dots." Can you post a photo of them?

Yes, photos. Black spots on new plants not sprayed doesn't sound good.

As for spider mites, they like dust. If you keep your plants dust-free, you will have fewer insect problems. Usually, spider mites can be washed away down the sink, without the use of any chemicals. If you had to choose just one thing to use on indoor plants, choose Pyrethrum.

That fiddle leaf fig was bought last weekend, and went straight into a room that has never had plants in it. I live in Australia in Queensland which has been having some really awful tropical weather, cold but humid and warm at the same time with rain. so the days will be sunny and nights chilly and very damp. its perfect weather for fungus and ive never had mould in this house but overnight have been finding things damp.

the sulphur seems to have 'dried' out the spots and they seem to me less 'active' after the sulphur. I have kept it on the leaves as yesterday was so wet overnight I didnt want to wet the leaves AGAIN and am debating weather to wash it off or leave it there

this spot was looking quite 'active' yesterday..moist and I could tell it was alive! sounds strange but plants lovers understand it looks like the sulphur killed it

The sulfur is not likely to have a residual effect, so you can wipe it off if you want. I don't see any evidence of any pest problems as it is now, but keep an eye on it.