Bulbs
Flower Basics
Flower Beds & Specialty Gardens
Flower Garden
Garden Furniture
Garden Gnomes
Garden Seeds
Garden Sheds
Garden Statues
Garden Tools & Supplies
Gardening Basics
Green & Organic
Groundcovers & Vines
Growing Annuals
Growing Basil
Growing Beans
Growing Berries
Growing Blueberries
Growing Cactus
Growing Corn
Growing Cotton
Growing Edibles
Growing Flowers
Growing Garlic
Growing Grapes
Growing Grass
Growing Herbs
Growing Jasmine
Growing Mint
Growing Mushrooms
Orchids
Growing Peanuts
Growing Perennials
Growing Plants
Growing Rosemary
Growing Roses
Growing Strawberries
Growing Sunflowers
Growing Thyme
Growing Tomatoes
Growing Tulips
Growing Vegetables
Herb Basics
Herb Garden
Indoor Growing
Landscaping Basics
Landscaping Patios
Landscaping Plants
Landscaping Shrubs
Landscaping Trees
Landscaping Walks & Pathways
Lawn Basics
Lawn Maintenance
Lawn Mowers
Lawn Ornaments
Lawn Planting
Lawn Tools
Outdoor Growing
Overall Landscape Planning
Pests, Weeds & Problems
Plant Basics
Rock Garden
Rose Garden
Shrubs
Soil
Specialty Gardens
Trees
Vegetable Garden
Yard Maintenance
How to Debug Plants for the Winter
How to Debug Plants for the Winter. In spring and summer, potted plants benefit from spending the warmer months outdoors. In the fall, most houseplants should be moved back inside before the temperatures drop much below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Houseplants that have enjoyed a summer outside often pick up insects that are likely to flourish when...
In spring and summer, potted plants benefit from spending the warmer months outdoors. In the fall, most houseplants should be moved back inside before the temperatures drop much below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Houseplants that have enjoyed a summer outside often pick up insects that are likely to flourish when brought into an indoor area. Before bringing plants inside for the winter, carefully debug each one to avoid allowing an infestation in your house that can spread to other plants.
Things You'll Need
Basin
Dish detergent
Spray bottle
Carefully check the outside of each pot. Scrape away any soil that is clumped to the outside where insects might collect.
Fill a basin or bucket with lukewarm water. Place the pots into the water bath. The water should just cover the top of the pot. When soaking multiple pots, adjust the level under smaller pots with bricks or flat stones. Leave the pots to soak for 15 minutes.
Rinse the foliage of each plant with a gentle cool water spray. Remove the plants and place them in an empty sink or on a board to dry.
Mix 3 tbsp. of dish soap with 1 gallon of cool water and put the mixture in a spray bottle.
Inspect the foliage for aphids and other small insects. Spray the stalks and foliage of each plant with the soap and water solution. Wipe away aphids and other small insects with a cloth or paper towel. Be sure to spray the top and bottom of each leaf.
Rinse the foliage with a garden hose or sink sprayer two to three hours after applying the diluted soap mixture.
Check the plants two to tree days after applying the first soapy solution. If you see any aphids or other insects, reapply the soapy solution and then rinse the plants again.
