I am sure every plant lover can relate to the excitement I feel when I buy or receive a new plant. Especially if it is one that I have been looking forward to adding to my collection for a long time. I am very guilty of rushing to put my plant into the spot I have envisioned for so long. I had to learn the hard way that there is a process to go through when adding a new plant, when several of my plants caught some pests from a new addition.
There are many ways one can greatly reduce the odds of a pest infestation. I will be explaining the process that I am currently using when I receive a new plant. That isn’t to say that there aren’t different ways that will work, or that I won’t change my process in the future.
My uncle recently propagated some flowers for me that came from plants owned by my great grandmother. They have been outside growing on his porch all summer. When plants have been outside, it greatly increases the odds of some pests calling the plant their home.
Step 1: Give the plant a shower.
You heard me right, time to give your plant a shower! I sat mine in the bathtub, turned on the shower, and drenched it.
Step 2: Treat the plant with Neem Oil.
Remember the Neem oil solution I showed you how to make in the post below? Time to put it to use! After mixing your solution, spray all over the plant and soil while it is still in the bathtub.
Step 3: Place the plant AWAY from the rest of your plants.
This may require some rearranging of your decor, but it is so worth it. This allows you to “quarantine” your plant. I am sure we all know the importance of quarantine due to COVID-19. We don’t want any pesky critters branching out to other plants.
Step 4: Leave the plant there for no shorter than 1 month.
This gives you time to ensure your new plant, if infested with pests, can present those symptoms. I quarantine for one month to be on the safe side, spraying with Neam oil once a week.
This seems like an intensive process, but one plant can infest and sometimes kill the rest of your plant collection. You could lose months or years of work if you do not take at least one month to ensure your new plant addition is healthy.
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Grandmas’s “Rain Lily” (Zephyranthes) will be one of your favorites next summer when it begins blooming. She always keeps several pots of these beauties in her backyard hanging on the close line posts (30 + years now). This post is very helpful – thank you for sharing…I learned something new today:)
Thank you for the plants! You’re welcome 🙂