A reminder about houseplants! As the temperatures drop and all our greenery comes indoors, be aware of insects and diseases on your houseplants that may have taken up residence during the warm season. Inspect your houseplants carefully for any sign of insects, such as aphids (little green monsters on the new growth), scales (dark bumps on the stems), or white fly (just what it sounds like). If you unknowingly bring in plants with an infestation it can quickly spread to your other plants and then you’ve got an epidemic on your hands!
If your plants have bugs, there are several steps to manage the problem. First, don’t put the infected plant anywhere near healthy plants. Use a strong stream of water to knock off as many bugs as you can. If your sink isn’t big enough, do this in your shower or bath. Try to spray underneath the leaves and all along the stems, and gently shake the plant to dislodge any stubborn bugs. Allow the foliage to dry, and then spray the whole plant with an insecticide approved for indoor use, such as Indoor Pharm from Pharm Solutions. Indoor Pharm works very well on herbs and flowering plants. I use this product on all our houseplants here at the garden center. It’s organic (derived from food-grade oils), easy to apply and has no unpleasant smell. Be aware that since it is an oil, it can burn the leaves if used in direct sunlight, so be sure to apply and let it dry in a cool and shaded location. Use this regimen of spraying with water and then Indoor Pharm every 7-10 days and you should be bug-free!