Eco-gardening is at its best in The Monday Garden
January 19, 2003, issue no. 43
This is my bedroom palm. I’m not particularly palm-abled, but I know to give palms a weekly shower. Palms need the bath for several reasons including the houseplant’s winter bane, spider mites.
Spider mites like hot and dry.
Grass-types (palms, spiders, papyrus, dracaena, and anything else the cat eats) are their favorite plants; followed by outdoor plants wintering inside (e.g. herbs, ivies, mini-roses, and primroses), and tropicals, like the prayer plant. Few plants are totally immune.
What to do? First, good health counts. Bugs are to plants what germs are to people. Healthy plants and people don’t tend to get sick.
Second, wash a lot. A plant’s weekly faucet bath is like frequent hand washing for humans. Mist larger plants and treat to an occasional shower.
Third, act fast. A few bugs are controllable. Inspect plants weekly for a gritty feel to the leaves, tiny, light-colored spots, and miniature spider webs. If you see spider mite signs, thoroughly douse in cold water. Spider mites hate it. The eggs are hard to kill but hatch in three days, so repeat treatment every 3 to 4 days for a few weeks.
Lastly, what’s the real problem? Is the plant new and adapting? Does it needs more light, less heat? Caution: Never fertilize sick plants, and delay non-emergency repotting and pruning. If the bugs return because the plant’s not adapting, be merciful and toss it.
So why did your florist recommend a poison? Like over-prescribing doctors, it’s what they think you want. Besides, there’s no money in recommending water. I’ve tried all the common poisons, and prefer cold water and Safer insecticidal soap. Poisons don’t work any better, cost a lot, and are a hazardous waste disposal headache. Don’t be fooled by “all natural, biodegradable”. If it’ll kill bugs, it’s not good for anyone.
Photo credits: Sue Sweeney
© Sue Sweeney 2003
Comments (1)
Answer to question about extremely small soil bugs that come to the surface when the plant is watered:
What you describe could be several things, including larvae of fungus gnats or adult silvertails. The little guys are not necessarily harmful-- they may be living on decaying soil matter.-- but too many of any kind of little critters in the house isn't a great thing. Soil critters like this tend to come from using unsterilized soil indoors. For example, they could have come in with the pansies if the pansies were raised as outdoor seedlings. Are you seeing leaf discoloration or damage?
The least invasive way to control crawly little guys in the soil is a submersion bath. First, water the plants well so the soil's wet. Then, fill the sink or a large bucket with room temperature water; adding just a drop of dish washing soap. Slowly sink the pots straight down in the water so the soil doesn't float out. Make sure that the water is above the pot rim level. Leave the pots submerged for at least an hour. Rinse, drain, and return the plants to their regular place.
Hopefully, this will drown the adults. Repeat in a week to get the newly hatched babies but be careful that the plants don't stay soggy-wet for more than a day at a time -- this will cause more harm than the bugs.
A submersion bath also cleans out accumulated salts and is actually good for the plants once or twice a year. My hanging vines love it.
Posted by Sue Sweeney | February 27, 2005 2:50 PM
Posted on February 27, 2005 14:50