Potted plants are sometimes attacked by pests. Sometimes, when we notice the symptoms of their feeding, it is too late to restore the flowers to their former condition. Therefore, it is worth performing a simple test regularly to detect the presence of pests in advance. All you need is a certain vegetable from our kitchen.
Sometimes, despite proper and careful care, our potted plants are attacked by pests. What’s worse, not all of them are visible on leaves or shoots some of them are very difficult to see because they feed in the soil, damaging the root system.
These types of pests include, among others springtails and ground squirrels, which are mainly found in the ground. Although they cannot be seen with the naked eye, we can sometimes guess their presence by looking at certain symptoms.
It should be disturbing for us wilting and yellowing as well as all kinds of stains and discolorations. Another symptom may be inhibition of development or frequent diseases of the specimen.
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If we want to make sure whether our plant has been attacked by pests, we can perform a simple test. It is worth carrying out it once a month, thanks to which we will be able to prevent further damage caused by pests, because this test will signal the problem much faster than the disturbing symptoms. This is because the first signs on leaves and shoots are usually visible only when the pests have settled in for good.
Therefore, it is worth reaching for a certain vegetable from your fridge to be sure that your plant is not in any danger. Enough is enough we will take a cucumber and cut off a slice of it. Then we put it in the pot and leave it for 24 hours. After this time, remove the patch and examine it carefully. If it is gnawed or dark spots are visible, it is a sign that our plant has been attacked by pests.
After using appropriate preparations that will help us get rid of pests, it is also worth preparing a conditioner that will help restore our plant’s good condition. In this case, it is worth using kitchen waste, such as coffee grounds. They will perfectly nourish the weakened plant, providing it with a solid dose of magnesium, phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium.
Just enough dry the coffee grounds thoroughly and then mix them with the top layer of the substrate in our pot. Another way is to prepare a special solution from water and coffee grounds. Mix both ingredients together and set aside for 2-3 days.
Then strain them and dilute them in a 1:1 ratio. We use this solution to water plants once a week. However, remember that coffee grounds acidify the soil, so do not use them for plants that do not feel well in such soil.
