近距离内射合集

Q: I was given a houseplant by a co-worker that came from her mom鈥檚 home. She knows I鈥檓 a plant person and wanted to give Mom鈥檚 plants a good home. I didn鈥檛 put much attention to it, but now I鈥檓 noticing fuzzy white cotton stuff where some of the leaves meet stems. What is going on, and have I brought trouble into my home? 鈥� G.P., Albuquerque

A: I think you need to put the new plant in quarantine ASAP!

Or perhaps place it outside where it would receive light but no glaring hot sun until you鈥檝e decided if the plant can be rescued.

When I hear or see fuzzy white cotton as a condition on a houseplant, I instantly think of mealybugs. I want you to know that mealybugs are a tough critter to eliminate and highly transferable to other plants. If it is mealybugs, then you have your work cut out for you.

First, I鈥檇 recommend transplanting the plant, knocking off as much of the old soil as possible and starting with fresh soil. While the plant is out of the pot, give the pot a thorough washing with hot soapy water to get it as show-room clean as possible. No old dirt or salt accumulations should be allowed to stay behind. Clean, clean, clean!

Now the plant.

You鈥檒l want a bunch of cotton-tipped applicators and rubbing alcohol. Dip an applicator into a small dish of the alcohol, get it wet, and then wipe up/off a cluster of the cotton mass. Use lots of them so that you are removing all of the masses without spreading it even further on the plant. Collect and pitch the applicators, maybe in a zip-close bag, and then place them in the trash.

You鈥檒l want to really concentrate on the inspection aspect of the cotton masses, aiming to remove any and all that you find. Once you鈥檝e gotten as many of the masses as humanly possible, you鈥檒l tend to the plant like a houseplant.

I would recommend that you keep this plant in quarantine for a while longer, making sure there are no young mealybugs still infecting the plant. If you keep the plant, check it weekly for any new masses and nip them in the bud as you find them.

Also, whenever you are tending to the plant, be sure to wash up and if you鈥檝e used any tools or even the water can, you wash them so you aren鈥檛 inadvertently spreading mealybugs.

I want you to start monitoring all of your plants to make sure the mealybugs haven鈥檛 spread and treat them quickly if you notice any pests among your plants.

It kind of depends on how much effort and care you are willing to offer this new plant. Ask yourself if it is worth the work and vigilance you鈥檒l need to offer. Do you really want to take the risk of your plants getting rid of this dread pest?

It鈥檒l be a tough choice, I know. This plant was somebody鈥檚 treasure, but to invite trouble into your collection is a tough call. With consistency and sincere vigilance, you can win the mealybug war, but it鈥檚 going to be an uphill climb for sure.

Good luck!

Dear readers: Now that we鈥檙e having a monsoon period here in the Metro (sort of), and I want to remind you about mosquitoes. It鈥檚 time to take a walk around your grounds and look for places that could be places for them to breed.

Any container that can hold water for any length of time can become a mosquito haven. An upturned garbage can lid, a wheelbarrow, children鈥檚 toys in the sandbox, an abandoned drink can from a recent celebration or the extra dog water bowl. Anything that can hold a smidgen of water can become a great place for mosquitoes to breed.

So tour the property, tip over and empty any dishes or bowls or toys that aren鈥檛 being used constantly. Stand the wheelbarrow on end so the trough stays dry, collect any leftover containers that could and do hold water for the time being! Your goal is to eliminate as many places for those horrid bugs to breed!

Stay safe and Happy Diggin鈥� In!

Tracey Fitzgibbon is a certified nurseryman. Send garden-related questions to Diggin鈥� In, 近距离内射合集, 7777 Jefferson NE, Albuquerque, N.M. 87109, or to features@abqjournal.com.