How to avoid pests on plants

Cochineal

Plants, both those that are outdoors and indoors, can be attacked by different pests. Some are more harmful than others, but they all appear for the same reason: the health of its victims is weakened or is weakening.

For this reason, it is very important to know the different needs of each of the species that we are cultivating, since that will be the only really effective way to prevent them from ending up with mealybugs, aphids or other parasites. So let's see how to avoid pests on plants… Without the need for pesticides 🙂.

Know the needs of your plants

Opuntia

Once we have acquired a plant or several, we have to do a little research to know where to place them, how often to water them, when to fertilize them, etc. Since so many different plants are sold in nurseries, I am going to give you a guide that may be useful to get you started:

Tree and shrub needs

Aesculus hippocastanum

  • Location: in full sun, except for some species that grow best in semi-shade such as japanese maples, azaleas, camellias o gardenias.
  • Irrigation: every 2-3 days in summer, and every 4-5 days the rest of the year.
  • Substratum (if they are potted): It will depend on the species and the climate, but most can grow well in universal growing medium mixed with 30% perlite. If they are acidophilic plants living in a warm climate, it is highly recommended to plant them in sandy substrates, such as akadama.
  • Land (if they are on land): most do well in a neutral soil, except acidophiles who prefer a soil with a pH between 4 and 6 (heather soil).
  • Subscriber: in spring and summer they should be paid with organic fertilizers preferably, or minerals.
  • Transplant: late winter.
  • Pruning: In autumn or late winter, but you should know that not all species tolerate it and others are better not pruned since it would spoil their natural shape and appearance that they acquire as they grow, such as flamboyants.

Bonsai needs

Acer palmatum bonsai

  • Location: it will depend on the species, but generally they should be put in semi-shade.
  • Irrigation: frequent in summer, somewhat scarcer the rest of the year. It is necessary to prevent the substrate from drying out between waterings.
  • Substratum: a good mix is ​​70% akadama + 30% kiryuzuna.
  • Pruning: in autumn or late winter.
  • Wiring: in spring.
  • Transplant: late winter.
  • Subscriber: during spring and summer they must be paid with specific bonsai fertilizers.

Needs of cacti and succulents

Echeveria derenbergensis

  • Location: full sun.
  • Irrigation: every 3 days in summer, and every 4-5 days the rest of the year.
  • Substrate (if they are potted): you can use peat mixed with perlite in equal parts, but I recommend more that you use sandy substrates (akadama, pumice).
  • Soil (if they are on land): it must have good drainage.
  • Subscriber: during spring and summer they must be paid with mineral fertilizers, such as Nitrofoska. The dose is one small tablespoon every 15 days.
  • Transplant: in spring or summer.

Carnivore needs

Dionaea

  • Location: in full sun or in semi-shade depending on the species.
  • Irrigation: frequent in summer, somewhat scarcer the rest of the year. Use rainwater or osmosis water.
  • Substratum: will generally grow well in blond peat mixed with perlite in equal parts.
  • Transplant: in spring.

Palm tree needs

Phoenix dactylifera

  • Location: in full sun or in semi-shade depending on the species.
  • Irrigation: every 3 days in summer, and every 4 or 5 the rest of the year.
  • Substrate (if they are potted): the following mixture can be used: 60% black peat + 30% perlite + 10% coconut fiber.
  • Ground (if they are on land): It will depend on the species, but generally they prefer those soils with good drainage and that are fertile.
  • Subscriber: in spring and summer they must be paid with organic fertilizers, either liquid if they are in a pot or powder if they are on the ground.
  • Transplant: late winter or early spring.
  • Pruning: remove dry leaves in autumn.

Flowering plant needs (bulbous, perennial, perennial and annual)

Thought

  • Location: in full sun or in semi-shade, depending on the species.
  • Irrigation: frequent, every 2 days in summer and every 3-4 days the rest of the year.
  • Substrate (if they are potted): they are not demanding, they can grow in universal cultivation substrate.
  • Ground (if they are on land): in general they grow in all types of soils, but they prefer those that have good drainage.
  • Subscriber: in spring and summer they can be paid with fertilizers for flowering or universal plants.
  • Transplant: in spring.

Acquire pest repellent plants

Lavender plants

There are a number of plants that repel pests, such as the lavender essence , the nettle or thyme. Acquire them to avoid aphids, mealybugs and others. You have more information in this other article.

Following our advice, your plants will not have more pests, for sure 🙂.


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  1.   marría inés patron said

    Very good all the information as always.Thank you

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      I'm glad you liked it 🙂