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Maybe a silly question, but does anyone give their new plants a bath?… | Anything about plants | Planta community

Dorian

Maybe a silly question, but does anyone give their new plants a bath? For context, my grandma just gave me two of her outside plants (Syngonium and Aglaonema) and I worry about pests upon bringing them inside. Any tips are appreciated!

3 likes 7 comments

7 comments

  1. Sunny

    Absolutely! I have PTSD from bringing home a discount plant that spread mealy bugs and spider mites to several plants! Took me weeks to eradicate with the help of tree frogs and lizards. Most of my plants are on the patio. So, I have inspection, eradication and isolation on every plant that crosses the threshold! I check every single leaf. I spray every plant with soapy water including the soil and under the leaves/pot bottom. I quarantine the plant checking regularly for movement. I clean each leaf with diluted vinegar to remove dirt, debris, fertilizer salts and hard water deposits. I spray again with soap spray at the end of quarantine, about a month later.

    3 likes
    • Dorian

      Any specific soap that you use, or just regular dish soap?

      0 likes
    • Mom’s jungle

      So it is safe to use vinegar on plants! Lol! I put some in my misting bottle as I was cleaning windows as well and didn’t want to just dump it so I’ve been misting with a water/vinegar mixture! Figured it couldn’t hurt and hoped that it would repel insects! 😂🤣🤣

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    • Sunny

      I use Dawn dishwashing liquid. I use about 1/2 to 1 teaspoon in a 10 ounce spray bottle.

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    • Sunny

      I don’t really mist my plants because I live in a high humidity subtropical region. Plus, my water is hard leaving hard water deposits on the leaves. Some plants like Oxalis and Zinnias are prone to powdery mildew. Water on the leaves can promote it.

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    • MissyPlantyMom

      The only time I must my plants is to remove dust & I only do it in the morning, since leaving water on leaves overnight is a no no for this reason.. Microfiber glove and wipe clean! My Pothos, fiddle leaf fig especially get dust so quickly 😝

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  2. Mia

    I change the soil normally from new plants I buy or any plants I get given to save since I have found so many pests in the soils... And half the time they are planted in the wrong soil

    2 likes