House plants fill that bare corner, soften hard edges and bring a certain level of coziness to our homes. It allows us to bring the outside in and honour our nurturing spirits. Our Canadian house conditions are not always the best for growing plants inside so we do have to make concessions by improving the humidity, watering more often, reducing the heat in the evening and being on the lookout for signs of insects or disease.
Some common sense rules to consider would be:
If you find any of the following menaces in your plants remember not to fertilize, don’t overdo the treatment and if you choose to use a chemical remedy be sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully before you use it in the home.
Aphids (Greenfly): You’ll recognize these little soft-bodied, pear-shaped insects from the branches of your prize roses this summer. They quickly form colonies around new shoots and under leaves and come in any colour from green, rust to brown. They prefer soft tissue plants and will suck the sap causing the leaves and new growth to curl or deform. Their feeding can cause the spread of viral diseases from plant to plant. They will also leave a sticky honeydew behind which supports the growth of sooty mold. To treat rinse the plant in dish soap and water if it is small enough to fit in the sink or tub or try insecticidal soap.
Mealy Bugs: These cottony little things feed on all parts of the plant but particularly the new growth. They also suck plant juices causing yellow specks and a general yellowing on the foliage causing deforming of the plant, leaf & fruit drop. They are grey-white oval shapes with a waxy, wooly texture which repels water and hide in the joints and against the stems of the plant. They also leave sticky honeydew behind which supports the growth of sooty mold. To treat swab with alcohol; use soapy water or an insecticidal soap. You may need several applications.
Scale: This is the one insect I detest seeing on my plants. My first reaction is to throw the plant away. However, if caught in time the treatment can be successful. I also think the key is to make sure that your plant is given all the proper conditions to grow – i.e. water, light and good air circulation. All stages of this insect will suck the plant sap. They are a crawling insect and will form dense colonies. They are easily identified by their soft brown, white or black shell which can be flat, convex, round, oval or pear-shaped. Check for these insects if you notice that your plant is showing poor or stunted growth. Leaves may yellow and drop. If the infestation is severe, your plant could die. To treat use a sponge soaked with an oil emulsion on each leaf and each stem to dislodge the shell. You can also use a soft toothbrush on hard stems and in the veins of big leaves. You could also consider pruning.
Spider Mites: If you notice that your foliage is becoming a mottled white and yellow, you should check for spider mites. You can take a sheet of white paper and shake several of your suspect leaves over it. If you notice dark specks which move, then you have identified your problem. They suck plant juices from the underside of the leaves and come in red, green or yellowish colours. You can also look for tiny cobwebs between the leaf and stem. As the infestation grows the leaves will turn a bronze colour then yellow or white with brown edges and could be covered with webs. Your plant will be stunted and you will notice leaf drop. To treat rinse with soapy water or try insecticidal soap; several applications may be necessary.
Thrips are very tiny, slender, fast moving insects which can leap or fly. They suck on plant juices and will leave a silvery speckling on the foliage. The leaves may look blotchy; the flowers will be streaked and distorted. You will have leaf and bud drop. To treat place little yellow sticky traps in the pot or treat with Neem Oil. The process may have to be repeated several times.
Whitefly is triangular in shape. The young live on the undersides of the leaves and when disturbed they float about in clouds above the plant. Their main source of nutrition is the plant juices. To treat place little yellow sticky traps in the pot or treat with Neem Oil. The process may have to be repeated several times.
I recommend that you seriously consider whether or not a plant is worth saving. It depends greatly on the collection of plants that you already have, the kind of plant involved and its value to you.