Whether you have 5 plants or 100 you should ALWAYS quarantine new plants. Any time you bring a new plant home it is a great idea to quarantine it for 2 weeks so you can observe it and make sure you aren't bringing in any unwanted pests or diseases to your collection.
The first thing I do with new plants is wipe down each leaf front to back with insecticidal soap. It is critical that you inspect the plants leaves, stems, and soil for pests and disease. Next, I will repot the plant. Depending on the circumstances on how the plant was acquired I might let it acclimate for a few days before repotting. I always repot into my own soil mix as well as give it a clear pot. For me personally, I feel more comfortable having all my plants in my own soil mixture. I worry less about root rot, soil pests, and potentially over/underwatering based on the particular soil amendments used. Next, I add in systemic granules and water the plant thoroughly. Specifically, with granule systemics you need to water them in for effectiveness. It is also important to note that you will have to reup your systemic use periodically. Over time I have switched from using the granules to liquid systemic. Once your plant has completed its 2 week quarantine, make sure to inspect it one more time before integrating it with the rest of your collection. It is also important to isolate plants when you notice pests or diseases. Additionally, if you choose to put your houseplants outside during the warmer months make sure you have pest prevention controls in place and quarantine before bringing them back in.
1 Comment
9/15/2022 04:56:58 pm
I didn't know you needed to quarantine new plants. Thanks for this info!
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