Inside plants are never appreciated as much as when the wind blows and temperatures dip lower and lower. Indoor greenery helps clean the air as well as make the place feel a little more tropical.
Plants react to the hours of sunlight, not the inside temperatures, and often become dormant during the winter months. Green dormant plants still need access to water and nutrients but at lower rates than when they are actively growing. Be sure to check the moisture level before watering to avoid overwatering.
Plants that like bright indirect sunlight benefit from being moved closer to the windows during the winter months but will need to be moved again later when the sun’s intensity increases.
Plants, like people, do not do well when placed in drafts. A door opening and letting in freezing air even for a short period of time can cause plants to drop leaves.
The plants may be dormant but insects seem to thrive in the dry, warm air. When watering, take time to look at the plants carefully, checking for insects. The quicker insects are discovered and dealt with, the easier they are to eliminate.
Small bits of sticky white fuzz on a plant is a tell-tale sign that mealy bugs are present. A large infestation is very noticeable as it will appear to be dripping from the plant.
Male mealy bugs do not damage the plant but fly from female to female, their only function being to reproduce.
Mealy bugs often attach themselves to new growth but can be found throughout a plant, attached to leaves, veins or new stems. Once attached, the bugs usually stay in place, feeding off of the plant’s juices. As a result leaves will turn yellow then fall to the floor.
Females can give birth to nymphs or lay eggs in the white goo. Eggs hatch in about 10 days. Nymphs start feeding immediately and within a short time become adults.
Mealy bugs can be removed with a Q-tip and rubbing alcohol. Dip the tip in the solution every time to ensure that the insects are not being spread.
Aphids are a prolific insect that leave a sticky residue behind. When a colony becomes too big for the plant available, the next generation grows wings and flies away.
Aphids are easy to identify by their small, translucent pear-shaped body. Green aphids are common but the creatures can also be shades of white, yellow, red or brown.
In an active colony, eggs are laid along the veins of the leaves. If the conditions are not favourable, eggs are laid under bark or in old plant material where they can wait until conditions improve.
Tiny insects called spider mites frequent the bottom of leaves. They are small and can often be mistaken for leaf marks or specks of potting medium.
Like other insects, spider mites camouflage their eggs by laying them along the leaf’s vein to make them less noticeable. When a plant is badly infected with spider mites, small webs will be visible between the leaves and stems.
To prevent insects from spreading, isolate the infected plants. There are a number of insecticides on the market. Be sure to follow the directions when using any pesticide organic or otherwise.
A liquid soap solution can be effective as it coats the insect, making them unable to move. As it does not harm the eggs, the process must be repeated regularly to catch the insects as they hatch.
Linda Tomlinson is a horticulturalist who lives near Rocky Mountain House. She can be reached at your_garden@hotmail.com.