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Selecting Healthy Plants |
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- Insects and Disease – Inspect the plant and the
undersides of its leaves carefully for signs of pests and disease.
Major insect pests include red spider mites, mealybugs,
gnats, aphids and scale. Indicators include secretions on
plants and leaves, and discolored or chewed leaves. A good
test is to tap the plant container to see if any insects take flight.
- Flowers, Buds and Stem Tips – These are prone to
aphids, which are easily identified, as their light-green color
makes them visible against flowers and buds.
- Soil – A good sign of neglect would be dry,
weedy soil or any moss or fungus growing on the surface. Strong
soil odor is an indicator of disease or rot.
- Stems – These should be strong and rich in color.
Look for breaks, discoloration or seepage in the stem area as
signs of problems.
Further tips for purchasing healthy plants:
- Purchase your outdoor plants early so that you get the best selection
and don't have to settle for older, unattended plants.
- Ensure that you get the plant tag with the botanical name on
it in case you have to obtain further information or wish to note
color and growing conditions.
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- Selecting plants in full flower may not be advisable for houseplants
or perennials since you may have to wait another year before they
bloom again. A compact plant in bud is stronger and will not
likely develop transplant shock.
- When bringing a new houseplant into the home, it might be
prudent to isolate it from your other plants for approximately a
five-week period. Spray the leaves with a fine mist and
drench the plant with a solution of soapy water to drive out the
bugs.
- Transplant your outdoor plants on a cloudy day to prevent sun
scorching and stress.
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While the idea of purchasing new bedding plants in full bloom is enticing, choosing ones with fewer open flowers
will enable the plants to recover more quickly from transplant shock.
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Taking a few minutes to carefully weigh your decision before welcoming
a newcomer to your indoor or outdoor garden can result in a higher
rate of success and save you the costs associated with replacement.
Ron Rossini
Master Gardener
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