Overwhelmed by pests, but pickle plant thrives
after a long day of crying, frustration and a mental breakdown due to fungal knat issues, I tried to take time to enjoy the good things that are happening in my oasis. My succulents are struggling right now, I’ve lost a couple, due to many different issues (I assume) that have mostly been caused by fungus knat larvae, and fungal infections. I’m upset, and at a loss of where to start. I have so many plants, and it’s very crucial to treat them all so the pests don’t migrate to other plants. I got overwhelmed almost immediately. I’m going to have to repot several plants, and toss a few that don’t have a chance. Life in general has caused me to not be on top of things so it caused more issues then if I would have caught it before it got bad. I’ve started treating them, but I’m not even close to being done. It’s upsetting because this is something I do to relieve stress.. and it went from 0 to 100 really quick. But I’ve made a commitment to these plants, and I intend on trying to save as many as I can. However there was some good things that I can be grateful for! My pickle plant is putting out babies (pic 3-4), & also the adult ones have new growth as well. (Pic 1/2) - also new growth on my star cactus! (5) 🌱✨ you guys wish me luck on this knat journey !! #SucculentSquad #SucculentLove #PicklePlant #StarCactus #fungusgnats #PestControl #PlantTherapy #NewGrowth
4” pot with drainage
Last watered 6 months ago
15
I totally feel you on this. Plants are awesome when you’re not dealing with issues. But, just annoyance when there are issues.
I had a few that protested the change in seasons and light once fall came around, which are finally coming around with some extra care. And I feel like I’m running behind on some pest issues I didn’t catch earlier. Some plants I felt confident didn’t have flat mites because previous ones I picked up were fine. And then just discovered root mealies on a few plants. I’m pulling out my hair confused, almost all my plants are in clear cups which I check weekly, and I discovered a very small amount of them, after I checked everything I seemed to trace it back to two plants I picked up in July…how long do these buggers hide out?! 😣
I totally hear you on your frustrations, I’m just trying to set some asides and into quarantine and process them when I can, and deal step by step slowly with the ones I don’t see issues with yet in groups.
I had a few that protested the change in seasons and light once fall came around, which are finally coming around with some extra care. And I feel like I’m running behind on some pest issues I didn’t catch earlier. Some plants I felt confident didn’t have flat mites because previous ones I picked up were fine. And then just discovered root mealies on a few plants. I’m pulling out my hair confused, almost all my plants are in clear cups which I check weekly, and I discovered a very small amount of them, after I checked everything I seemed to trace it back to two plants I picked up in July…how long do these buggers hide out?! 😣
I totally hear you on your frustrations, I’m just trying to set some asides and into quarantine and process them when I can, and deal step by step slowly with the ones I don’t see issues with yet in groups.
@Alinaa exactly it’s crazy because today when I was going through this, I literally thought about you and your post a month or so back in your frustration and your pest problem. I also agree about setting things aside and taking things one thing at a time. My problem is I’ll start one thing and then I’ll see a bunch of other issues and get sidetracked and then I’ll never get anything done or I’ll become overwhelmed and lose my motivation. After I took care of a couple things today, I decided to be done for the day and regroup and decide I was gonna make a list of what I was going to do and a plan of action and what plants I could keep and what plants I just was gonna have to let go for now. Hopefully tomorrow I can approach it with more confidence and more of a strategy. I think what it was was the fact that when I left for the weekend it wasn’t that bad, and when I came back, it was way worse than I thought it was going to be so it overwhelmed me because I didn’t know the situation I was walking into. 🤞🏻 we will get through this, & the best part is I will learn from my mistake and be equipped to handle it next time hopefully 🌱✨
Girl I totally understand this frustration. This is something I’m dealing with too. Several weeks ago I distributed many jars around my house with 1 cup of water, 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar, & a 1 tablespoon of dawn and they have been catching gnats like crazy. Another thing I’ve been doing is diluting my plant’s water with peroxide. I do this to all of them including my succulents and they’ve been fine with it. Your plants are beautiful! Just hang in there. We’ll get through this. Me and my plant babies over here are ROOTING for you 🪴❤️👍🏻😊
@TidyTigerpear my learning is a definitely going to be much stricter quarantining plants on when I get them and thoroughly washing and treating them before they go into the main collection from here on.
I think though when you have a large collection, there’s just going to be a level of pests that will be around, and it’s just learning to manage them and keep the levels from growing is really important. So don’t panic, focus on those you care about most first.
I definitely got discouraged after my mold mite issue on the slow release satchets mites in my cabinet, but I’m definitely going to keep using them but experiment with more loading from time to time with the bottles with fewer satchets! I’m so glad that original issue while massive was relatively easy to be rid of.
If you have lots of plant chores to do, I love listening to unplantparenthood (I think that’s her name) while doing chores, but she’s also refreshing because she talks about her pest issues as well.
I think though when you have a large collection, there’s just going to be a level of pests that will be around, and it’s just learning to manage them and keep the levels from growing is really important. So don’t panic, focus on those you care about most first.
I definitely got discouraged after my mold mite issue on the slow release satchets mites in my cabinet, but I’m definitely going to keep using them but experiment with more loading from time to time with the bottles with fewer satchets! I’m so glad that original issue while massive was relatively easy to be rid of.
If you have lots of plant chores to do, I love listening to unplantparenthood (I think that’s her name) while doing chores, but she’s also refreshing because she talks about her pest issues as well.
@Alinaa exactly ! The large collection part definitely is true.. and that’s also what I was planning was to make groups of the ones that are most important/least affected/ or plants that I can possibly rehab without it being a risk to others. The ones that are physically visibly affected, I plan on discarding because it’s to much potential of it spreading to another or counter acting my rescue plan. I just hope I’m able to save my babies, because they deserve to be happy and healthy, and that’s my role as a plant parent.! Thank you ! And I hope your pest problem gets better too !
Oh honey I’m so sorry. I feel this - our family has been hit by back to back illnesses on top of husband I both in new jobs. I fall more and more behind and I WANT to spend more time with my plants, but the have-tos in my life keep taking over. I was going to suggest a planty notebook too, to keep track of who needs what. (I am a crazy list maker.) You have a great mentality towards it and I know everything is going to work out better than ever. Continue to do what you can and give yourself grace. You deserve it! 🌱☀️❤️
@TidyTigerpear. Your pickled plant is wonderful. I have but 2 in the pot. Would be thrilled to see it develop like yours. I cry over plants too. Many years ago I needed to pair down the number of plants I had. I took the "extra" to a VA Hospital where vets were doing plant therapy.
I was crying so hard I had to stop the car. It felt like a Sophie's Choice decision. I was a mess. How could I have chosen plants I had for years to be sent away? The stuff nightmares are made of.
I was crying so hard I had to stop the car. It felt like a Sophie's Choice decision. I was a mess. How could I have chosen plants I had for years to be sent away? The stuff nightmares are made of.
@RealSimpleMama thank you ! I’m sorry to hear about your family and husband and hope they get better !! 🌱✨🤞🏻 and yes ! Last night I sat down and made a list, I go back home tomorrow and I have a plan & feel better about approaching it, I can’t wait to get to it tomorrow with a better mindset, and plan so I can get back to posting the good things going on! I’m glad I can restart that way I will have a better handle on things, and not be so worried !! I’m hoping I can maybe donate some of the plants that are still healthy, (I’m gonna have to downsize because I think the amount is a bit much for me at this point in time & life) but I’m glad that I can really get organized and help my plants get back to there best selves !! 😊🍀💕 thank you for the kind words everyone !! @FitBrowallia @SvelteKingfern @plantstate