23 OCTOBER 2019 THECURRENTHUB.COM
w Before transitioning indoors, inspect your houseplants for signs of pests. Use a magnifying glass and look at both top and bottom of foliage; in the whorls where leaves meet the stem and also on the soil surface. w Check for aphids, mealybugs, whiteflies, soil gnats, mites, and other houseplant pests. These bad actors aren’t normally a problem outside, but populations can quickly escalate if brought inside to a warm, protected indoor environment. w Fill a large tub with warm water and add a mild liquid soap (no detergent/degreaser) or organic insecticidal soap. To kill bugs, soak the whole plant (pot and all) in the tub for about 15 minutes. w Rinse thoroughly (I like to use the gentle showerhead nozzle on the hose) and drain outside. w Acclimate plants by moving into dense shade while they are still outdoors. This will help them adjust to the new lower light conditions inside the house. w Prep indoor areas by cleaning the windows, lifting the screens, and adding full spectrum grow lights (available in various sizes and can be used in standard light fixtures). w Invest in trays and saucers to catch drips and a How are you doing with your houseplants? Let me precision-tip watering can to deliver water on target. (The watering can is also useful for giving know by posting photos on facebook.com/ CurrentPlus or email me at geri@gardengeri.com. the Christmas tree a drink.))