Taking Action to Rescue or Prevent Diseases and Pests
The best method of rescuing a plant in trouble is to start with the action least evident to people around the plant. If further help is necessary, you can try something more aggressive. For example, if your plant has aphids, you should reduce the water and clean the plant to destroy these insects before releasing ladybugs in someone’s office area.
1. Cultural
- Adjust the plant’s light, growing media or water so it is better suited to what the plant prefers.
- Destroy infected waste; use good sanitation methods.
- Prune or thin the plant
- Fertilize
- Manage watering
2. Mechanical
- Hand destruction
Trapping
3. Physical (environmental)
- Adjust heat, cold, humidity
- Regulate light
4. Biological
- Protect and encourage natural enemies if the account is on an IPM program that includes biological controls.
- Introduce or increase specific parasites and predators (Scanmask, etc.)
5. Organic Deterrents
Every control tactic makes you a part of the complex plant/pest relationship. Find out if there are consequences of a specific action beyond the control of the pest in question.
Mechanical Damage
Mechanical damage occurs when leaves or stems of plants are injured by mishandling of the plant material. It often occurs when plants are placed near walkways, stairs and elevators, when plants are transported to and from the greenhouse, and when they are stepped on or bumped into by building tenants.
Good pruning techniques or proper plant placement may resolve broken branches. Choosing suitable plant varieties and situating the plant appropriately for the space may reduce collisions by people walking by.
Hygiene
Many plant problems can be prevented by practicing good hygiene.
- Wash your hands frequently to prevent transporting pest eggs, fungi and mold among plants. Wash your hands after smoking to prevent the spread of tobacco mosaic virus.
- Sterilize tools with rubbing alcohol after cleaning or pruning plants, especially those with aphids, mealy bug, scale or plant disease. If only part of the plant is affected, wipe the pruner blades after each cut.
Timing
Timing is everything! Is the pest sheltered or in a life stage that would cause the control measure to fail? Prevention is often the best course of action.
Pest controls are most effective during certain life stages of the pest. For example, water sprayed on spider mites is very effective when the mites are active but completely ineffective on unhatched eggs. That is why you must perform follow-up applications. When using a control method, be sure to repeat the application at the recommended interval for as many times as required to eliminate the pest or disease.
After employing the control measure, monitor its effectiveness and restart the pest management loop. Keep good records of what the pest was, when it was detected and how you controlled it. Watch for consequences of non-target organisms.
Water
Plain tap water can be used to clean plants and containers, to treat infestations of spider mites and other pests, to hydrate plants, and to clean tools. Water should be at room temperature.
Hand Cleaning
Keeping plants dusted and clean will enhance the beauty of the foliage and create a healthy environment for the plant. Dust and dirt can clog pores in the leaves thereby weakening the plant.
- Always used clean sponges, gloves and cloths when wiping plant leaves. These can be washed in very hot water with detergent and bleach to sanitize and remove pests before reuse.
- Always support the plant leaf when wiping.
- Clean plants often.
- Spray with leaf shine or water and wipe with a cloth for thorough cleaning.
- Avoid using Brand-X as a plant cleaner.