Fall is in full swing , and while it ’s a magical season with its cool weather and affectionate colors , it also sign the meter to start preparing your out-of-door plants for wintertime .
If you ’re like me , you in all probability have a bunch of plant that have thrived all summer long , soaking up that sunshine , and now they need to amount inside for the colder month .
But before you bring them indoors , there ’s one significant thing to do : give them a good sporty and ensure you ’re not inviting any pests to set up cantonment in your plate .
You might think , “ Do I really need to go through the trouble of debug my plant ? ” The answer is yes ! Bringing outdoor plant inside without the right way cleaning them can lead in unwanted planetary house Edgar Albert Guest — tiny bugs that will happily overrun your home .
Not only do you need to avoid pest , but keep your plant healthy throughout the winter starts with name certain they ’re in tip - top shape when they transition to life indoors .
rent ’s take the air through five simple steps to avail you debug and clean your plants before giving them a cozy winter home inside .
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Step 1: Give Your Plants a Gentle Wash
The first affair you need to do is give your plant a gentle cascade . Think of it like a miniskirt - resort hotel Clarence Shepard Day Jr. for them ! This step is crucial because it helps remove soil , junk , and any insects that might be hiding in the leafage . But do n’t concern — it ’s easier than it sounds .
Start by filling up a bucketful , tub , or using a garden hosiery , depending on the size of your plant . If you have smaller plants , you could easily dunk the whole pot ( grime and all ) into a tub of tepid water for a few seconds .
This will flush out any pests hiding in the soil . If your plant are turgid , you ’ll want to focus on spray down the leaves . Use a hose with a gentle spray set or a atomiser bottle filled with urine to cautiously wash down the tops and undersides of the leaves .
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While you ’re at it , check for any bugs like aphids , spider speck , or whitefly . These tiny critter can be a nuisance once indoors , so it ’s deserving taking a bit of extra time to check that your plant life are pesterer - free .
A proficient rinse helps pink off any stowaway and gives your plant a unobjectionable slate .
Pro Tip: Use Soapy Water for Stubborn Bugs
If you notice a few stubborn worm , mingle a soft dish liquid ecstasy with water supply and use that to spray the leaves . It ’s a instinctive way to get rid of pests without harming your works . Just make certain to rinse the soap off after letting it sit for about 15 minutes .
Step 2: Check and Prune Dead Leaves
Once your plant are nice and clear , it ’s clock time to play plant medico and check for any beat or discredited leaves . Pruning is indispensable before contribute your plants indoors because it prevents the cattle farm of disease and encourage fresh , sizeable growth .
Grab a twain of sporting , penetrating scissor hold or pruning shear and cautiously inspect each plant . bump off any yellowing , brown , or damage leaves , as these are the single most probable to harbor pests or disease .
If you see any dead stems or branches , go onward and cut back those back as well .
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By pruning aside the unhealthy portion of the plant , you ’re allowing it to sharpen its vigor on thriving instead of wasting resourcefulness on region that are already on their way out .
Plus , trimming your plant helps ensure it fits comfortably in its indoor space — especially if it ’s mature a stack over the summertime .
Pro Tip: Sterilize Your Tools
Between cuts , be sure to pass over down your pair of scissors or shears with rubbing alcohol . This prevents the potential bed cover of any plant diseases . hold back things clear helps ensure your plants stay healthy throughout the winter .
Step 3: Repot and Refresh the Soil
Now , have ’s spill the beans about soil . Your plant has likely been outside for several month , dowse up nutrients and maybe even growing roots that have filled up the kitty .
Before you convey your plant indoors , it ’s a good mind to refresh the soil or even repot the works if necessitate .
Check the radical of your plant — are they crowd or encircle the pot ’s edges ? If so , it might be time to give your plant a bit more elbow room by repot it into a slightly great container . This will allow the root to spread out out and continue to grow , even while indoors .
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Even if your plant does n’t demand a new pot , it ’s still a serious idea to supersede the top layer of dirt . Scrape off about an column inch of soil from the surface of the pot and replace it with smart , alimentary - copious potting mix .
This help get free of any blighter that may be hiding in the dirt and gives your works a fresh start before the winter season .
Pro Tip: Choose the Right Soil Mix
When replace the grunge , verify to use a well - drain potting mix that ’s appropriate for your specific industrial plant . dissimilar plants have different needs , so a cactus will ask different soil than a fern . Keep your plant ’s preferences in mind for the in effect results .
Step 4: Treat the Soil for Pests
While you ’ve already rinse the leaves and tally for bugs , the soil is another surface area that can house unwanted pest .
dirt - dwelling bug like fungus gnat can easily gimp a ride into your home , so it ’s important to treat the stain before bringing your plants at bottom .
There are a few ways you’re able to treat the soil to get rid of pests :
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Diatomaceous Earth : spatter food - grade diatomaceous earth on the open of the soil . This is a natural , non - toxic way to stamp out any bugs experience in the soil . It work by desiccate the louse and is safe to use around your plants .
Neem rock oil : Mix a minuscule neem crude oil with water and spray it straight onto the stain . Neem oil is a natural pesticide that disrupts the liveliness cycle of many common pests without harm your plants .
Hydrogen Peroxide : Mix one part hydrogen hydrogen peroxide with four parts urine and use it to irrigate your flora . This answer help kill any germ or larvae that might be conceal in the soil without harming the plant life origin .
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Whichever method you opt , ensure to treat the soil thoroughly . This extra step will help ensure that you ’re not by chance bringing any microbe into your home .
Pro Tip: Repeat the Treatment
If you remark any persistent pest after the initial treatment , do n’t hesitate to repeat the process a few days later on . Sometimes it takes a dyad of round to fully annihilate any continue bugs .
Step 5: Acclimate Your Plants to Indoor Life
Now that your plants are clean , pesterer - spare , and ready to go , it ’s time to wreak them indoors — but do n’t just shove them into a dark corner ! Plants need clock time to adjust to the lower light-colored and indoor environment , so you ’ll want to acclimate them bit by bit .
Start by bring your plant life at heart for a few hours each day , and then gradually increase the time they spend indoors over the class of a workweek . This pass on them a opportunity to adapt to the indoor condition , such as low humidity and less sunlight .
Once they ’re in full indoors , find a spot that provides enough igniter . Most plants flourish near a gay windowpane , but if your home does n’t get a lot of natural light source , believe using a grow luminance to assist your plants get the light they postulate during the darker months .
Keep an eye on the temperature as well . While you ’re plausibly keeping your home prissy and intimate , some plant are sensitive to rough drawing or direct oestrus from vents , so verify your plants are in a unchanging environment .
Pro Tip: Maintain Humidity Levels
Indoor strain tends to be drier , especially during the wintertime calendar month . If your plants start looking a bite dry or sagging , consider misting them regularly or placing a humidifier nearby .
you may also localise your plants on a tray filled with pebble and water to facilitate supercharge the humidity around them .
By following these five steps , you ’ll be hold your plants the best possible start to their indoor winter hitch .
Debugging and cleaning your plant might take a piece of supernumerary effort , but hope me — it ’s worth it . Your plants will stick healthier , and you ’ll avoid the trouble of dealing with undesirable pestilence in your home plate .
Plus , there ’s nothing quite like receive a spot of greenery to brighten up your space during those frigid wintertime months !
So go ahead , roll up your sleeves , and give your plant the care they need . They ’ll repay you with fresh , vivacious maturation all winter long .
