Pests of indoor plants. Photo and name, how to fight

• Diagnosis of thrips damage
• Prevention
• Thrips control

Thrips are tiny insects, black in color, reaching 1 mm in length. Thrips on indoor plants are quite common, they spread quite quickly, can easily jump from one plant to another, cause harm to many plants, but most often they affect fuchsia, begonia, and codiaum. More than 5,700 species of this insect are known; more than 700 species live on the European continent. The body of thrips is elongated; they feed on plant juices. Thrips cause great damage to cultivated plants. Thrips try to lead a hidden lifestyle; it can be difficult to detect the first outbreaks of this insect. Thrips move from one leaf to another, leaving behind a white or silvery coating. Thrips cause great harm not to leaves, but to flowers. Flower thrips severely affects the flowers of the plant; they become covered with a white coating, spots, become severely deformed, and eventually simply fall off. Thrips can greatly weaken a plant, its growth rate will begin to decrease, and it is possible that shoots will stop appearing. Thrips also carry various diseases that are dangerous to the plant, such as anthracnose.

Whitefly

Pests of indoor plants (photos and names of insects are presented in the article for basic reference) in the form of whiteflies have a body length of up to 2 mm. A distinctive feature is the body, which has a yellowish color and white wings.

You can detect the parasite as follows:

• on foliage from the underside;
• along a sweetish trail, in place of which a sooty fungus appears.

The insect feeds on plant sap, which leads to loss of its attractiveness. It can be found on pelargonium, begonia and hibiscus. You can fight the pest by washing the foliage with a solution of laundry or liquid soap, sticky traps or ash. Plants can be sprayed with insecticides such as “Prestige”, “Commander”, “Aktara”.

Diseases of indoor flowers

Diseases of indoor plants are associated with improper care.

White coating on the ground in pots

Why do the leaves of indoor flowers turn yellow - what to do?

A white coating on the soil in potted indoor plants can be caused by watering with hard water. To soften the water, you can boil or freeze it and then water the flowers.

When the white coating is soft to the touch, it is mold. To get rid of it, you need to reduce watering and remove the layer of soil covered with mold. The soil must be treated with antifungal agents. To treat fungus, you can use drugs such as Topsin M, Sarfun 500 SC.

The appearance of a white coating resembling cotton wool on plants is associated with mealybugs. Parasites can reach a length of 1 cm. The insect settles on the inside of the leaf and feeds on the sap of the plant. When indoor flowers have a white coating like cotton wool, what to treat, you need to ask first, otherwise the plant may die in a matter of days. To save an infected crop, you can use the means admiral, commander, and tanrek.

Why does soil in pots become moldy?

There are several reasons why the soil in a pot becomes moldy. Mold can be associated with excessive watering and frequent spraying. To prevent it from appearing, you need to water the plant when the top layer of soil dries 2 cm. You also need to make drainage in the pot.

Note! The soil may begin to turn white due to a large amount of fertilizer.

Sooty fungus on indoor plants

Sooty fungus, or black fungus, is an infectious disease. A plaque forms on the plant, which clogs the stomata on the leaves, as a result of which photosynthesis is disrupted, the flower lags behind in development and weakens.

Sooty fungus disrupts photosynthesis

To prevent the development of infection, you need to promptly spray the plants against parasites that form sweet secretions. These are insects such as aphids, thrips, and scale insects.

The infected plant should be wiped with soapy water and then rinsed with warm water. After this, to cure the flower, you need to treat it with phytosporin.

You need to get rid of pests of indoor flowers as quickly as possible, otherwise the affected plant may die before your eyes. In addition, insects, having destroyed one flower, quickly switch to another. Therefore, in order to preserve your home collection, it is worth carefully inspecting each specimen and taking timely measures to combat unexpected guests.

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Fungus gnats

The fungus gnat is presented in the form of a black midge that sucks juice from the roots of plants. They can appear on any indoor plants. To detect the pest, it is enough to remove the top layer of soil.

You can fight insects by drying the soil mixture in a pot. Such drugs as “Mukhoed”, “Aktara” and “Inta-vir” will help to remove the larvae. Additionally, you can use Raptor spray.

Pests that destroy the root system

Particularly difficult in the complex of protective measures are pests in the soil of indoor plants, the presence of which is detected only by indirect signs, and to destroy it, it is necessary to primarily water the soil with insecticides.

Roots affected by root-knot nematodes

1. Fungus gnats - sciarids

Adult flying insects do not cause harm, but the larvae living in the soil, feeding on organic debris, are able to eat the roots.

If you notice a lag in growth, it is advisable to carefully remove the plant from the pot and examine the roots. When white, fairly small worms are found, it becomes clear that the roots have been eaten by enchytraea, lovers of excessively moist soil. The earthen lump is placed in a container of water to soak, after which the roots are thoroughly but carefully washed from the soil. The plant is transplanted into newly prepared soil. In some cases, watering with an insecticide is acceptable.

Caterpillars

Caterpillars are small worms with a body length of up to 2 cm. The larvae are variegated or monochromatic in color. They feed on the fleshy part of the green mass; some representatives wrap the leaf in a silk thread. The appearance of caterpillars is fraught with damage to the plant’s immunity. It weakens and can be susceptible to various diseases.

Pests can be found on cyclamen, balsam or geranium. You can protect the plant from the caterpillar by treating the foliage with a soap solution and then washing it with hot water.

Watering with a strong solution of potassium permanganate

Spilling a pink solution of potassium permanganate is one of the easiest ways to disinfect the soil. Dissolve it in a proportion of three grams per ten liters of water. Spray the soil with this solution. Pots and seedling boxes are also treated with potassium permanganate.

Potassium permanganate solution

A quick and simple method, manganese after processing becomes a fertilizer, but this method is ineffective and is not able to completely sterilize the soil.

Weevil

Pests of indoor plants (photo and name will help gardeners correctly identify a dangerous insect on a flower), presented in the form of weevils, have a body length from 1 mm to 3 cm. The body shape is oblong and slightly flattened.

The color can vary from black to yellow, and in some cases spots can be found on the surface of the body. A characteristic feature is the elongated front part of the head, due to which the insect got its name.

The weevil does not go through plants, so it can be found almost anywhere where crops are present.

After laying eggs, the larvae eat the buds, which causes a lack of flowering. Adults chew on foliage and petals, leaving indentations. If an insect penetrates the roots, the crop dies. The pest must be controlled by spraying the plant with preparations such as Bona Forte, Fitoverm and Actellik.

Fighting methods

Many novice gardeners are wondering how to deal with pests of indoor plants. The answer to this is important, since insects multiply rapidly, time must not be wasted.

There are different ways to help get rid of pests:

• mechanical;
• biological;
• chemical;
• folk

If pests of indoor plants are correctly identified, and measures to combat them will be effective.

Mechanical

You need to start with the measures that are safest for humans, especially since they often help a lot. Before starting work, you should disinfect and sharpen your tools. All damaged leaves and shoots are cut off, and the cut areas should be sprinkled with activated carbon.

Bugs and visible larvae are selected manually: scale insects, slugs, caterpillars. Leaves with pests such as aphids can be wiped with a cotton pad. A contrast shower and spraying with water helps get rid of pests living on the green parts of the plant.

It is also possible to immerse the above-ground parts of the affected plant in warm water with a small amount of detergent. In this case, it is advisable to place the pot in a plastic bag and tie it at the top so that the soil does not lock.

Biological

Biological control measures consist of controlling diseases and pests with insecticidal and phytoncidal plant preparations. Most often used:

• "Fitoverm";
• "Agrovertin";
• "Iskra-Bio".

Herbal preparations should be made the main assistants in the fight against pests and diseases of indoor plants. On the one hand, they are environmentally friendly, and on the other hand, they bring real benefits.

Treatment with herbal preparations is carried out in the first half of the day, preferably in the absence of other inhabitants of the apartment. In the evening, before going to bed, the room in which the treatment was carried out is thoroughly ventilated. Individual plants are isolated with plastic film.

Special sprayers are used to spray affected plants. For pollination or dusting, powdered preparations are poured into small gauze bags, which are then shaken over the plant.

Chemical

Chemicals are used in extreme cases. They are considered the most effective, but require strict adherence to safety measures:

• It is necessary to remove all food products from the premises in advance. In warm weather, it is better to treat the affected plant with pesticides in the fresh air, in winter - with the window open.
• During chemical treatment, you should wear a gown and a protective gauze bandage or respirator.
• During chemical treatment, you should not smoke or eat.
• At the end of the chemical operation, you need to thoroughly wash your hands, face and the place where the plant was standing at the time of spraying or dusting with warm water and soap.
• To avoid leaf burn, treated plants should not be placed in the sun until they are completely dry.
• Treated plants should be cared for in the same way as healthy ones.
• All toxic solutions must be prepared in advance.
• Chemicals should be stored in containers with tight-fitting lids, out of the reach of children.

Popular and effective remedies for pests of indoor plants:

• "Karbofos";
• "Chlorophos";
• "Syphos";
• "Trichlorometaphos";
• "Pyrethrum";
• "Decis";
• "Fury."

Folk

If indoor plant pests appear, treatment can be carried out with time-tested folk remedies. For this purpose, decoctions and infusions are prepared from the following plants:

• yarrow;
• chamomile;
• dandelion;
• marigolds;
• nettle;
• garlic;
• Luke;
• peels of oranges, tangerines, lemons.

These environmentally friendly and harmless plants can effectively destroy harmful insects. Steamed citrus peels can be buried in the soil. Insects don't like their smell.

An infusion of tobacco, stove ash, a solution of potassium permanganate, furatsilin or soda works well. To prevent the liquid from immediately draining from the plants, laundry soap is added to it.

Root mites

The root mite is small in size, has up to 3 legs, an oval light transparent body and sharp antennae. Destroys the onion from the inside; if you try to put pressure on it, it will fall apart and turn into dust. Root mites eat bulbous plants such as hyacinths, tulips, orchids and gladioli.

If an insect attacks a plant, it must be treated with insecticides, and diseased flowers must be isolated from healthy ones. The diseased crop must be removed from the soil layer, the roots and bulbs washed and soaked in an insecticidal solution. For prevention, pots in which infected plants grew should be washed and boiled for 20 minutes.

Prevention

Thrips are very delicate insects; they cannot withstand low temperatures and high humidity. Thrips are rarely found in winter and autumn, but in the spring and summer you need to be careful and periodically inspect the plants to avoid infestation. The plant needs to be sprayed, at least occasionally, but it is better that the air humidity in the room is quite high. Plants need to be provided with a flow of fresh air, but avoid drafts; drafts have a negative effect on many plants. If you find an affected plant, it should be isolated, and all other plants should be properly sprayed and wiped with a damp cloth. With the onset of spring, some plants can be given a shower.

Mining flies

Mining flies are presented in the form of small insects with transparent gray wings and a body length of up to 3 mm. They lay translucent, whitish or yellowish eggs on the underside of foliage. Generation duration ranges from 20 to 35 days.

Harm to the plant is caused when its tissue is pierced by drinking the juice. The pest can be found on chrysanthemums and violets. If masonry is detected, the affected leaf will need to be removed and the plant treated with one of the following preparations: “Karbofos”, “Aktellik”, “Aktara”, “Tanrek”, “Apache”.

woodlouse

Indoor plants can be attacked by an insect pest called Woodlice, which has an oval-shaped body with a small bulge at the top (the photo will help you recognize the insect on the crop). The parasite belongs to the family Crustaceans and Isopods.

Eats plant roots, fresh rotted organic matter, underground shoots and soft tissues of crops located near the surface of the substrate. Loves dark and warm conditions. The insect emerges from its hiding places at night. Since it leads a hidden lifestyle and is small in size, it can cause significant damage to the flower.

The pest can be recognized by lesions in the form of holes or pits in the soft parts of the flower. Appears on cacti, ferns and orchids.

For prevention, you should constantly remove any remaining vegetation in the container. To prevent wood lice from getting on the crop, containers must be placed on a pallet.

The fight against woodlice is based on the use of a drug called Pyrethrum, since insecticides have practically no effect on the insect. Another means of control is traps. One of them can be created from a potato, cleaning it from the inside and placing it next to the plant in a pot. Over time, all the insects will accumulate inside the trap and can be removed.

Prevention measures

It is not possible to completely protect your indoor plants; it is very important to carry out preventive measures.

• Do not over-moisten the soil;
• Do not leave food, stubs, or plant debris in pots that may begin to rot;
• It is not advisable to experiment with watering with fatty water with sugar or other ingredients that can become a breeding ground for pests;
• Steam purchased or collected soil in the oven;
• Spill the soil once every six months with a disinfectant solution of manganese;
• Once a week, thoroughly wash the trays and window sill with laundry soap without leaving even a residue. After washing, wipe the top with a pest repellent;
• Infected plants should be quarantined, the soil should be changed, and the roots should be washed with running water and a disinfectant.

Mealybug

The body of the mealybug is covered with a powdery coating that resembles fur. Grayish or cream-colored parasites are easy to spot against the green background of the plant. They gather in small groups and secrete honeydew.

The liquid attracts fungus, which becomes an additional threat to the plant. The louse digs into the soft tissues of the flower and sucks the juice out of it. The pest appears on orchids, fuchsias, palm trees, hibiscus, and cacti.

If detected, foci of infection must be immediately treated in one of the following ways:

• treatment with soap solution, which is made from 1 tsp. grated laundry soap diluted in 1 liter of water;
• you will need to completely change the soil, rinse the root system of the flower with hot water, the temperature of which reaches 50 °C;
• wiping the affected areas with an alcohol-based solution;
• manual collection of insects followed by washing the green mass of the plant under a shower head.

Plants can be treated with chemicals such as Karbofos, Aktara, Confidor.

How to identify parasites?

A florist can diagnose a flower disease only by external signs. The leaves give basic information about the condition of the plant. They may change color, dry out or fall off. Another alarming symptom will be the appearance of a rotten smell.

We will talk about what signs you should pay attention to when examining home flora in this section.

The appearance of a white coating

A white coating indicates that the plant has been attacked by insects or microorganisms. If a gardener discovers whitish marks on the leaves, it is necessary to quickly take measures to save the flower.

The culprits for the appearance of plaque may be:

• powdery mildew - rapidly spreads throughout the flower and covers it with mycelium. Dew selects those plants that are over-watered. Fluctuations in room temperature can also be a pretext for the appearance of spores. The disease is contagious and dangerous to nearby plants. During treatment, the infected flower must be isolated;
• Mealybugs - insects settle on the underside of the leaf and suck moisture from the plant. Due to the fact that the leaves get stuck in the honeydew, the plant begins to wither and soon dies;
• mold - the appearance of mold spots confirms that the flower is damaged by fungal mycelium. Mold is not considered a disease, but can deplete flora. It appears from excessive watering of the plant. In order to cope with this fluffy coating, it is necessary to reconsider the spraying scheme;
• gray rot - at the initial stages, rot is localized on the stems and leaf petioles. Over time, it takes over the entire plant. It will not be possible to cure a flower from gray rot, since all medicines are powerless. The only way to combat the disease is to destroy infected specimens.

Reference. The appearance of all ailments that cause white plaque can be prevented with proper care. If the grower begins to monitor temperature conditions and watering, his plants will remain healthy.

What do yellow spots signal?

Yellow spots are a general symptom that does not relate to a specific disease. Yellowing of leaves is caused by both fungal diseases and errors in care.

Among the prerequisites for the formation of yellow spots are:

• temperature violation. If the temperature is incorrect, the leaves turn yellow, red or white. The color change is accompanied by the formation of a crust due to sunburn. To save the flower, you need to move it to the shadow side. It is advisable to remove damaged leaves;
• inconsistent watering. Yellow-brown spots are a sign of a thirsty plant. Lack of moisture causes the edges of the leaves to dry out. The spots then spread throughout the flower. If the affected areas are soft, then there is excess moisture;
• incorrect feeding scheme. Plants that are overfed with inappropriate fertilizers suffer from chlorosis. The disease prevents the leaves from producing chlorophyll, which affects their appearance. Chlorosis is easy to recognize - green areas remain only in places where veins are present;
• unsuitable conditions. Tender plants do not respond well to water if it gets on their leaves. This one event can cause yellowing. Another common cause is old potting soil.

Deformation of flower leaves

Deformation or “curl” of leaves is characterized by the growth of individual sections of the leaf and the formation of swellings. The swellings become green, yellow, pink or white.

The presence of such changes may indicate:

• vital activity of ticks;
• viral activity;
• development of fungal infection;
• exposure to chemicals;
• burn.

Deformation of the leaves is not dangerous to the life of the flower. An unfavorable prognosis awaits the plant if it suffers from a virus or a chemical burn.

Chemical burns occur due to improper application of fertilizers. They are characteristic of garden plants, but are also found in indoor plants. Dealing with a burn is not easy because it affects both the plant and the soil. It is impossible to transplant weakened flora into new soil without consequences.

Reference. If the deformation is at the initial stage, then it needs to be combated by improving the soil. The grower must loosen the soil and add new soil. It is advisable to use drugs that stimulate plant growth.

Nematode

Pests of indoor plants (the photo and name will allow you to identify the insect that appeared on your home crop) can be presented in the form of microscopic nematode worms that parasitize the tissues of flowers from the inside. The reason for their spread is soil mixture contaminated with eggs. Nematodes can be root or leaf nematodes.

In the presence of a root pest, tumor swellings develop on the roots. Because of this, the root system stops working. The foliage begins to lose turgor. In advanced cases, small shiny black-brown balls may be present on the roots, if the soil is removed from them. These galls can withstand toxic chemicals and heat treatments.

If a crop is affected by a leaf parasite, the green mass stops growing. Dry streaks in the form of spots form on the plate. From below, between the veins, shiny spots of red or brown color develop.

Later, the foliage begins to turn yellow, thin and deform. As a result, it dries out or rots. Brown scars form on the flower buds. Plants such as cactus, begonia, ficus, dracaena or lily may be susceptible to insect attack.

Pest control method:

1. If infected with a root nematode, re-root the flower with a cutting or leaf.
2. Remove or burn the mother crop with the soil layer.
3. Sterilize the pot in which the plant grew.

Nemafos and Dekaris are suitable chemicals. The culture can also be disinfected using hot water, the temperature of which can be from 45 to 90 ℃. Heat treatment lasts from 5 to 30 minutes.

Armored mites

Armored mites have a dark brown or black body with a shiny tint. Its dimensions reach approximately 0.9 mm. Brown or orange-brown eggs can be immediately noticed on the flower.

Pests can crawl throughout the crop, but eggs are laid only in decaying organic matter, namely, on dead yellowed foliage that has not been removed, in rotten roots and fallen leaves. They require moist soil and a moist environment to thrive. As a result, the plant stops developing, dries out and ultimately dies.

Dangerous insects often attack orchids. To eliminate the problem, you can use insecticidal compounds in the form of “Sunlight”, “Nisoran”, “Vermitek”, “Apollo” or “Fitoverma”. However, insects can adapt to chemicals. In this regard, the plant can be re-treated with drugs from a different chemical group.

What do pests look like?

Pests of indoor plants can cause harm and lead to the death of green spaces if they are not dealt with. Let's look at the most common insects.

Aphid

Aphids can be seen despite their small size. They come in black and green. Insect colonies multiply rapidly: the female lays at least 150 larvae, which after 7 days themselves enter the reproduction stage.

Females of the third generation have the ability to fly. They move onto any indoor plants and lay larvae. Diseases are transferred to flowers on their paws, for example, different types of flower mosaics. Getting rid of aphids is not as easy as it seems.

Shchitovka

Scale insects on indoor plants are a dangerous pest; they love to settle on cuttings, leaves, and stems. It is not difficult to detect: it is flat, oval, with the lower part of its body tightly adjacent to the substrate.

These pests are different. Real scale insects hide under their shells, just like turtles. False scale insects do not have this possibility, since this part of the body is inseparable.

The favorite colors of these pests are:

• lemons;
• oranges;
• tangerines;
• asparagus;
• oleanders;
• ivies;
• palm trees

Scale insects settle on the lower part of the leaf. Colonies develop quickly. Slowly moving dots appear on the leaves, somewhat reminiscent of plaques. The leaves around their habitat turn yellow. Insects suck out the juice of tender plants and shoots, depleting the plant. If you do not start a timely fight, indoor flowers die.

Spider mite

The most common pest of indoor flowers. Characteristic signs of damage: if the leaf is exposed to light, pinpoint punctures, whitish or yellowish, are visible. Gradually they merge into spots. The leaves turn pale and acquire a grayish tint. Then the leaves dry out and completely lose color. This is a typical pattern, but in some cases the leaves turn red or bronze. In some plants, the leaves do not change shape even when the spots are large, in other cases they are severely deformed and curled.

Adult parasites are reddish-brown or greenish in color and difficult to recognize on leaves and stems; females are prolific: hundreds of new eggs appear every three days. Without regular inspection, thousands of mites will quickly drink the juices, and the indoor flower will wither.

Thrips

Small flying insects with an elongated body, the color is a combination of black or dark brown on the top with reddish and yellow in the lower part. The pests are small – no more than 1.5 mm in length; they lay eggs on greenery and do not live in the soil.

It is not difficult to recognize the appearance of thrips: the leaves become grayish-brown below, silvery on top, and there are colonies of tiny pests on the lower part of the leaves.

Parasites drink the juice and deprive the indoor flower of nutritional components. Gradually, the leaves turn yellow, dry out, the buds become covered with small spots and become deformed.

The danger of the pest is not only the lack of nutrition for the affected parts of the plant. Parasites secrete liquid excrement, creating a favorable environment for the development of a serious disease - sooty fungus; with the active reproduction of harmful insects, indoor plants weaken and lose their decorative properties.

Whitefly

Whiteflies are, by and large, greenhouse insects. If you purchased flowers in these places, do not be lazy to examine them carefully. Even one female whitefly on indoor plants will produce huge offspring in a short time. Then the question will arise of how to fight. The pest's favorite flowers are fuchsias, ferns, and geraniums. The two-millimeter insect feeds on plant sap, and as a result it weakens and withers.

Mealybug

The tiny insect is difficult to see without a magnifying glass: its dimensions are no more than 6 mm, its white waxy coating, reminiscent of powder, protects pests from many insecticides.

The destruction of mealybugs requires care, regular treatment of affected flowers; insects settle in the axils of the leaves, entwining the leaves with a thin white cobweb. Optimal conditions for the development of scale insects are high humidity plus a temperature of +25 C, the parasites accumulate in groups, and the leaves seem to be covered with dirty white “cotton wool.”

Most parasites live on stems and leaves and suck out the nutritious juice. Some species parasitize the roots, depriving plants of nutrients. It is no coincidence that amateur gardeners consider the mealybug a dangerous pest: infected plants often die.

Fungus gnats

It often happens that flower growers notice small flies flying around their flowers, but do not attach any importance to it. And in vain, because the fly lays larvae in moist, fertile soil. The larvae are microscopic, so their appearance is not immediately noticeable. The danger of insects is that the smallest creatures feed on the root system of plants. As a result, the flower dies.

Black bugs (panzer mites)

They have a dark brown or black body, often with a shine, and measure about 0.7-0.9 mm. The eggs are tan or brown and also visible to the naked eye. They run away from the light source and immediately hide under leaves, onion scales, or in the soil.

They crawl all over the plant, but eggs are laid on decaying organic matter - fallen leaves, twigs in the ground, a tangle of rotten roots, on already dead yellowing leaves of plants that have not been cut (but only if they are in contact with the surface of the soil).

They develop only in a humid environment, damp soil.

White Podura

This insect can jump and lives directly in pots. It is distinguished by an elongated body, on which sparse hairs are visible. There are antennae on the head. Most often they appear in soils rich in humus.

The basis of nutrition is plant residues, but it does not disdain the living root system. It is clear that the eaten roots can no longer cope with their function, the plant slows down its growth and may die.

Spider mites

Spider mites are very small dangerous insects, measuring no more than 1 mm in size. Due to this, it is quite difficult to see them. When infected, small piercing dots and a silvery web appear on the leaf blade, which entangles flowers with leaves and shoots.

However, after the insect was discovered, the mite had already spread well throughout the plant. At the same time, he is able to move to other cultures with the help of scraps of web. Over time, the plant becomes completely covered with cobwebs. The insect begins to suck the juices out of it, causing the flower to dry out and wither.

Also, the crop may additionally develop a fungal infection.

Spider mites are mainly found on ficus trees, small roses, lemons and other citrus plants. It is quite difficult to eliminate the parasite, because the small colony remaining in the substrate can multiply again over time. In this regard, at the first symptoms of infection, insects must be destroyed immediately.

Methods to combat spider mites:

• “Actofit”, “Aktellik” or “Fitoverm” are suitable as chemical preparations. They are used according to the instructions indicated on the packaging.
• You can mix the detergent in a clean liquid and whip it into a thick foam. It is advisable to cover the substrate in the container with plastic, generously irrigating the above-ground part of the crop with whipped foam. The solution should be kept for 30 minutes, then rinsed off.
• Foliage that has been severely affected by the parasite must be removed.
• Treat the plant with infusion of basil, pyrethrum, hogweed or Persian chamomile. A composition based on water and tea tree oil is also suitable.

Preparing the soil for replanting indoor plants

Plants in their natural conditions and open ground do not always need fertilizers and fertilizing. They have a large amount of land at their disposal, which is restored naturally.

At home, they only have a pot of soil at their disposal. Such a small volume must be supplied with all the necessary substances. The soil must be moisture- and breathable, heat-conducting.

Before preparing the soil for planting or replanting a plant, be sure to read about what kind of soil is suitable for it.

The plant can love acidic or slightly acidic soil (for example, azalea, hydrangea, cyclamen). Orchids love soil with a high degree of breathability; the soil must contain leaf litter, or pieces of bark and moss.

For each plant you can now buy special soil in stores.

Universal soil

There are unpretentious plants that can be suitable for ordinary universal soil bought in a store. Such soil, as a rule, consists of peat with the addition of useful macro and microelements.

You can prepare the soil yourself. Usually this is peat, turf, leaf, coniferous soil or humus. The prepared soil is mixed with sand, pine needles and other components. The harvesting process is quite long, for example, leaf soil turns into compost within two years. If you have your own plot of land, preparing the soil on your own will not be difficult.

Fools

Poduras are also called springtails and springtails. Small, mobile and jumping insects are characterized by a white elongated body up to 2 mm long. They are mainly placed on the surface of the substrate. Some varieties of the parasite have a jumping fork under the abdomen. This is why the insects are sometimes called forktails.

They appear in the soil layer when indoor flowers are over-irrigated. They are often located on the surface or near the base of the container, closer to the drainage holes. Microorganisms and rotten plant debris act as food.

Parasites do not cause any particular harm to the crop, but after their appearance it is necessary to reduce the amount of irrigation, otherwise the substrate will sour and the roots will rot. If there are many insects on a flower, underground shoots and young roots are deformed. For this reason, the root system begins to function poorly.

During irrigation, they can float on the surface of the water and jump in different directions. Often, small earthen piles and excrement of a certain shape may remain on the surface of the substrate.

Violets, cyperus, dracaena, ficus, adenium, dieffenbachia, gardenia, and azalea may be at risk. To eliminate parasites, it is necessary to reduce the amount of watering or transplant the crop into a new soil mixture with a drainage layer. Any insecticide can be used as chemical preparations.

Aphid

Aphids are quite rarely found on indoor plants. They are translucent, small individuals, reaching no more than 2 mm in length. They are the basis of the colony. A small part includes winged aphids, which invade new sites for colonization.

It is quite easy to spot a colony. Insects mainly focus on foliage or shoots, piercing their shell and sucking out the juice. The pierced areas will look like dark spots.

During their life cycle, parasites produce honeydew. It is a sweet liquid that can stick together buds and clog stomata. Ants like this dew, so they include it in their food.

When aphids appear, they must be destroyed immediately, otherwise additional ants may appear. In this case, parasite larvae may be located under the substrate. Pests generally prefer crops with very tender leaves. Ornamental deciduous varieties with small foliage are often attacked.

There are such methods of combating dangerous insects:

Black bugs on flowers - who are they and why are they dangerous?

The fungus gnat is a sciarid (flower midge, soil gnat, detritus gnat), dipterous insects up to 7 mm in length, an elongated dark body and almost black wings, with long antennae and legs. Some females lack wings.

For indoor flowers, the most dangerous are the larvae of fungus gnats, which in the soil feed on the remains of decaying tissues and eat up the roots of plants.

Scale insects are arthropods, hemipteran insects, with strong differences between males and females. Young females have a soft, waxy shield of almost white color; males are very small, almost invisible, and die after fertilization. In adult females, the scutellum becomes more rigid and dark brown in color, hardening on the leaves of plants.

The scale insect causes significant harm by sucking out the sap of the plant; sticky marks and yellowing appear at the site of the sucker. It is especially dangerous for citrus crops, where it damages the ovary.

Thrips (blue-legged) are small, up to 1.5 mm, black insects with an elongated body and wings.

They are dangerous for all plants, as they suck out the juice, after which the leaves of the flower fall off. Thanks to their wings and long, fast legs, they move among all flowers and lay many larvae.

Every person who grows indoor plants can encounter other pests:

• aphid;
• enchytraea - white annelids;
• whitefly;
• spider, flat-bodied, cyclomene or root mites;
• mealy or root bug;
• nematodes;
• idiots.

Where do black bugs come from on potted flowers?

Black bugs can appear on indoor flowers at any time of the year and multiply quickly, because a warm room contributes to this.

Where do they come from:

• brought in from an open window with air and wind;
• along with flowers purchased in stores;
• when purchasing soil for plants;
• from a personal plot, soil taken from it;
• with bouquets of flowers purchased in flower shops or brought from the fields.
• with shoes and clothes, especially if you went on picnics.

Trips

Pests of indoor plants (photo and name will help gardeners quickly eliminate the insect) thrips have a small oblong body, which can have a shade from yellowish to black. Body length no more than 3 mm. The insects are omnivorous but often appear on roses, geraniums, violets and hibiscus. Young shoots with foliage are vulnerable.

When infected, small punctures and yellow dots appear on the bush. Small excrement may also be found in the form of black spots.

Ways to eliminate the pest:

• Dilute anti-tick shampoo containing permethrin in a small volume of liquid. The composition should be well beaten into a dense foam and applied to the foliage and stems, leaving for 40 minutes. Then the product must be washed off.
• Among the insecticides, “Vermitek”, “Inta-vir”, “Fitoverm”, “Aktara” are suitable.
• Flowers with buds need to be removed because more parasites are found here.

Shchitovka

The scale insect looks like a brown growth 4 mm in size, which is located on the stem, in large quantities on the fruits and the back of the leaves.

The photo shows the most common pest of indoor plants - scale insects.

Insects stick to the crop, sucking out all the nutritious juices from it. As a result, the plant begins to turn yellow and slowly dry out. The situation can get worse if fungus appears in the cracks left by the parasite's jaws. Pests are mainly located on begonia, lemon, ivy, asparagus, fern, orchid, ficus and zamioculcas.

There are several methods of struggle:

• treatment with a strong soap solution;
• the use of chemicals in the form of “Aktellik”, “Aktara” or “Inta-vir”;
• washing the plant with a hot shower;
• remove insects by hand and brush all shoots with a soft brush.

Means for normalizing soil acidity

Soil acidity determinant or PH indicator - shows the amount of hydrogen ions in the soil. Soil acidity affects the uptake of water by roots and the absorption of nutrients. The neutral acidity indicator is PH -7. The lower the indicator, the more acidic the soil is.

Most often, indoor plants love neutral or slightly acidic soil, but there are many types of flowers that love more acidic soil (azalea, hydrangea, lupine).

Acid-base indicator

To determine the acidity of the soil, you can use litmus paper and a solution of soil in water; if the paper turns red, the soil is acidic; if it turns green, it is alkaline.

In highly acidic soil, plants lack nutrients, the work of all beneficial bacteria stops, and the plant quickly dies. Too alkaline soil is also not very good.

Ways to increase acidity:

• adding citric acid (0.5 tablespoon per 2.5 liters of water)
• adding malic acid (10 g per 1 liter of water)
• adding oxalic acid (1g per 2 liters of water)
• application of fertilizers (superphosphate, peat, sulfur sulfates)

Ways to reduce acidity:

You can reduce the acidity of the soil by adding chalk and special preparations and fertilizers containing calcium and magnesium (cement dust, slaked lime, ground limestone, fluff). They improve soil quality and normalize acidity. But all this does not happen immediately; lime works in the soil for several years.

Enhytrea

Enchytraea are oligochaete annelids, no more than 3 mm in length. The body is whitish, translucent, through which the digestive organs can be seen. They are mainly located on violets. When affected, the foliage turns yellow, withers and falls off. The plant stops growing and developing. Ultimately it dies.

Measures to combat the parasite:

• do not use a substrate that contains a lot of tea leaves, leftover leaves or decomposing organic matter;
• it is necessary to adjust the amount of irrigation;
• the soil mixture can be shed with Regent solution.

When pests appear, the photos and names of which were presented in the article, indoor plants begin to lag behind in development, become less attractive, and eventually die. Therefore, gardeners need to identify insects in a timely manner and eliminate them immediately.