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Unit 6 · Lesson 8

Knowing when to let go

2 min read

Sometimes the kindest choice for your collection is to give up on one plant. It is not a failure; experienced growers do it too.

Colorado State University Extension notes that seriously infested plants are often best discarded, because controlling the pests would take lengthy, extraordinary effort. Illinois Extension similarly suggests removing plants with severe infestations to stop the spread. For root rot, the University of Maryland advises throwing away severely infected plants that cannot be saved.

Before you let go, see whether any part is still healthy. A clean, firm stem tip can often be rooted as a cutting and give you a fresh start, as long as it shows no pests or rot.

When you discard, bag the plant and its mix and wash the pot well before reusing it; clean pots help prevent root rot returning. Then look closely at nearby plants for the next few weeks.

Key points

  • Severely infested or rotted plants are often best discarded.
  • Take a clean, healthy cutting first if you can.
  • Bag the plant and mix, and clean the pot before reuse.

Try this

Look at your collection and ask of any struggling plant: is there a healthy piece I could root if I had to start again?

Check yourself

A plant has mealybugs throughout, returning after weeks of treatment. What is a sensible choice?

Read more in the reference

Sources

  1. Managing Houseplant Pests — Colorado State University Extension
  2. Houseplant pests and how to manage them — Illinois Extension
  3. Root Rots of Indoor Plants — University of Maryland Extension

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