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Author Topic:   Tips for fall clean up
BugginOut6106
Knowflake

Posts: 110
From: PA, USA
Registered: Nov 2002

posted September 15, 2004 09:18 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for BugginOut6106     Edit/Delete Message
For those of u who have their plants vacationing on porches, stoops, patios, sidewalks, maybe even tree limbs, take note that if u take time out now to prepare them you'll furthur enjoyment.

I bet all summer now your plants have been basking in circulated air, breathing co2 in all their glory, full throttle. They are gorgeous, as happy as can be. Now suddenly they will be held hostage inside again!

If your thinking about bringing them in, before the frosts will hit take some time out to acclimatize them. U can do this by simply baby stepping them thru the threshold. From where they are now scoot them up a couple feet. Let them hang out for a day or so.

Check-out the pot it's in. Is it cracked? Is the bottom missing ( those unreclyclable salad bar containers are en excellent altenative!) Is it dirty, crawling with critters or other debris? U can spend a day doing this.

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Randall
Webmaster

Posts: 18878
From: Columbus, GA USA
Registered: Nov 2000

posted September 16, 2004 02:03 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Randall     Edit/Delete Message

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"Never mentally imagine for another that which you would not want to experience for yourself, since the mental image you send out inevitably comes back to you." Rebecca Clark

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juniperb
Knowflake

Posts: 5346
From: www.Heaven.Home
Registered: Mar 2002

posted September 16, 2004 09:43 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for juniperb     Edit/Delete Message
Bugginout
Excellent advice. I would also recommend a through bath before bringing inside. The crawling critters probably have eggs stashed somewhere on/in the plant. After a nice warm shower, spray with the organic product Safers Soap and let sit for a couple days. Healthy, happy, bug free plants to bask in their winter home

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If having a soul means being able to feel love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals are better off than a lot of humans. ~James Herriot

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Philbird
Knowflake

Posts: 798
From: Douglas, AZ. USA
Registered: Jun 2004

posted September 16, 2004 11:27 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Philbird     Edit/Delete Message
Dear Buggingout,
I'm a big M*A*S*H* fan, your name remindes me of an episode. Are you military?

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LibraSparkle
Moderator

Posts: 2192
From: Vancouver USA
Registered: May 2004

posted September 16, 2004 12:06 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for LibraSparkle     Edit/Delete Message
I've started bringing my plants in, and yes... gave 'em all a nice warm shower. They so love that.

I decided to try something new. Since I have this aweful HUGE florecant (SP?) light in my kitchen, and also an East facing window in the room... I thought, why not bring the potted flowers in that are still blooming. I have Marigolds, and this little vine-ish type plant with itty bitty purple flowers growing beautifully in my kitchen window!

I don't know how long it will last... but YAY!

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BugginOut6106
Knowflake

Posts: 110
From: PA, USA
Registered: Nov 2002

posted September 19, 2004 12:21 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for BugginOut6106     Edit/Delete Message
Philbird: No I'm not in any way military. I'm a bigger S*T*A*S*H* fan than a mash one.

Seriuosly it really is important not to yank your plants in too soon. They need ample time to ajust to fading light conditions.

Shampoo can work wonders for house plants, also high pressure hose ends can knock off any unwanted visitors. Really examine the plants' leaves, It'll be worth the time.

Fall is also an excellent time to repot your plants. Most garden centers( mom & pop) places offer peat based mediums. Please reconsider this dwindling source as a soil. Look into coir, it's made from coconut hulls. Kenaf is also starting to hit the market now, It's a plant that's being cultivated to replace paper.

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BugginOut6106
Knowflake

Posts: 110
From: PA, USA
Registered: Nov 2002

posted September 22, 2004 12:42 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for BugginOut6106     Edit/Delete Message
Keep in mind feeding conditions for plants now inside with less chance of draining feely. Cut back the use of water soluable fertilizers. Remove any slow releasing feeds from the soils' surface. It can lead to salt build up. You want to optimize the uptakeing process of the root ball. Build ups interfere with this.

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Randall
Webmaster

Posts: 18878
From: Columbus, GA USA
Registered: Nov 2000

posted September 23, 2004 09:05 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Randall     Edit/Delete Message

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"Never mentally imagine for another that which you would not want to experience for yourself, since the mental image you send out inevitably comes back to you." Rebecca Clark

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