What are the methods for pest control on indoor potted flowers in winter?
Don't assume that plants are free of pests just because it is cold in winter. If garden flowers are moved indoors, a large number of harmful insect eggs will be lurking on the plants, and once they are moved into a room with a suitable temperature, pest problems will occur. So how should indoor potted flowers be treated for pests in winter?
Cockscomb
When plants are outdoors and pests are found on them, dimethoate or dichlorvos can be sprayed to kill them. But after they are moved indoors, spraying these kinds of pesticides again produces an unpleasant smell and is highly toxic, which creates certain difficulties for indoor pesticide spraying to kill insects in winter. A simple and effective method is introduced below; this method can greatly reduce indoor pesticide pollution, and its insect-killing effect is very good.
The specific method is as follows: dilute a mixture of dimethoate and dichlorvos 30 to 50 times, and pour it into half-dry potting soil, with thorough watering as the goal. Because indoor potted plants have concentrated roots in the pot, the absorption effect is very good. By pouring the pesticide into the pot, the liquid is absorbed by the roots and then quickly transported to the leaves through the vessels in the stems, causing all the pests on the leaves to die within 1-2 days. This method can not only effectively kill pests on the leaves, but also kill pests in the soil.
Methods for pest control on indoor potted flowers in winter
When growing flowers at home, potted flowers are generally kept on an outdoor balcony or planted in a courtyard. But when winter comes, the potted flowers need to be moved indoors, and those planted in the ground are also potted and moved indoors. At this time, pest eggs are often lurking on the plants. Because the indoor environment is relatively warm and ventilation is poor, pests such as aphids, red spider mites and whiteflies frequently occur. When these pests are found outdoors, dimethoate or dichlorvos can be sprayed to kill them. But after they are moved indoors, spraying these kinds of pesticides again produces an unpleasant smell and is highly toxic, which creates certain difficulties for indoor pesticide spraying to kill insects in winter. A simple and effective method is introduced below; this method can greatly reduce indoor pesticide pollution, and its insect-killing effect is very good.
The specific method is as follows: dilute a mixture of dimethoate and dichlorvos 30 to 50 times, and pour it into half-dry potting soil, with thorough watering as the goal. Because indoor potted plants have concentrated roots in the pot, the absorption effect is very good. By pouring the pesticide into the pot, the liquid is absorbed by the roots and then quickly transported to the leaves through the vessels in the stems, causing all the pests on the leaves to die within 1-2 days. This method can not only effectively kill pests on the leaves, but also kill pests in the soil.
Through the detailed introduction in this article, we hope everyone can gain something from it! Thank you all for your support and attention to Duorou Huapu!
How can potted flowers in northern China safely overwinter indoors?
Cyclamen
China Landscape Web, January 5 news: Many potted flowers cultivated in northern China originated in tropical or temperate zones and prefer warmth, so by late autumn or early winter they need to be moved indoors one after another. After being brought indoors, the placement should take into account the habits of each kind of flower.
Usually, flowers that bloom in winter and spring (Christmas cactus, cyclamen, cineraria, poinsettia, camellia, etc.) and autumn-sown herbaceous flowers (carnation, snapdragon, etc.), as well as flowers that prefer light and warmth (Milan orchid, jasmine, white magnolia, hibiscus, etc.), should be placed on a windowsill or in a sunny spot near a windowsill; some flowers that prefer semi-shade in summer but light in winter (such as clivia, fuchsia, etc.) also need to be placed in a sunny spot; flowers that prefer warmth and partial light (such as asparagus fern, wax begonia, azalea, etc.) can be placed farther from the windowsill; evergreen flowering shrubs that prefer sunlight but can tolerate low temperatures, or flowers in a dormant state (such as osmanthus, citrus types), can be placed in a cool place with scattered light (above 0°C); other flowers that can tolerate low temperatures and have already shed their leaves, or that are not strict about light (such as potted lotus, water lily, hosta, etc.), can be placed in a dark, cold place without light; small pomegranate, Chinese rose, fig, etc. need to be placed outdoors at -5°C for a period of freezing to promote dormancy, and then moved into a cold room (around 0°C) for storage, without needing light. Indoors, attention should be paid to ventilation. Not only should there be ventilation when the flowers are first brought in, but throughout the entire winter, windows should also be opened for ventilation around noon on clear days. This can both reduce the occurrence of pests and diseases and help the flowers grow robustly.
After the beginning of winter, the temperature continues to drop, the metabolism of flowers slows, or they enter a dormant state, and they need very little water and fertilizer. Therefore, except for flowers that bloom in autumn, winter or early spring, such as cineraria and camellia, as well as some autumn-sown herbaceous flowers, which can continue to be watered and fertilized according to actual needs, fertilizer and water should be strictly controlled for ordinary potted flowers.
For flowers in a dormant or semi-dormant state, fertilization should be stopped.
If the potting soil is not too dry, do not water it. In particular, for potted flowers that tolerate shade or are placed in a relatively cold and shady indoor spot, avoid root rot and leaf drop caused by excessive watering.
Woody potted flowers such as plum blossom, kumquat and azalea should also have fertilizer and water strictly controlled in winter, so as to avoid excessive growth of young branches, which would affect later flower bud differentiation and weaken cold resistance. Cacti and succulents should especially stop fertilizer and be watered less.
Water used for watering flowers in winter must be exposed to the sun so that the water temperature is close to room temperature before use. Watering should be done around noon. If watered in the evening, the night is cold and the roots of the flowers are prone to freezing damage. In winter, indoor air is dry. For some shade-loving and moisture-loving evergreen flowers, such as asparagus fern, Milan orchid, camellia and white magnolia, water close to room temperature should often be used to spray and wash the leaf surfaces, removing dust and keeping them clean, so as to facilitate photosynthesis. However, spraying water must not increase the moisture in the pot, in order to prevent root rot. In winter, indoor potted flowers are prone to pests such as aphids, whiteflies and scale insects. Attention should be paid to timely prevention and control.
(The above images are from the internet)