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Re: I've got bugs...

>Hi everybody,
>
>I'm fairly new to the list and gardening, and need some advise.
>Technically, I don't have bugs but some of my plants do.  I've looked in
>gardening books and haven't really been able to figure out what these
>things are and how to get rid of them.  My first problem is with my Spider
>Plant (Chlorophytum, I had to look that up!).  It has these barely visible
>bugs that are a silvery, white color.  They are all over the soil but not
>on the plant itself.  They don't have wings as far as I can tell, and the
>body is kind of oval shaped.  Actually, they look like miniature fleas.
>My best guess is that these things are nematodes.  But I really don't
>know.  I have a sentimental attachment to this plant, so I don't want to
>throw it away.  I know I need to repot it.  My question is can I just wash
>all the dirt away from the roots and be done with the bugs?
>
>Okay next question, I rescued (or prolonged the death) of some Christmas
>cati.  They have these black knat bugs.  They are on the leaves and in the
>soil.  Actually, I've seen them on some of my other plants.  But I haven't
>seen any holes or evidence that they are eating my plants.  It's just
>embarrassing when people come over and see these bugs.  So will any
>household insecticide work or is this more serious?
>
>Well, those are my "problem plants" but I do have some that are actually
>doing okay.  My oldest plant is a Corn plant, named Petrick, that is about
>8 years old.  (By the way, what is the verdict on naming plants and
>talking to them?) It has been within the last 6 months that I really
>became interested in plants.  I went from about 5 plants to over 30 in
>that amount of time.  Maybe that's normal, but I'm starting to wonder if I
>have an addiction!  I'd really appreciate any advice that's out there.
>I'm scared I'll have an epidemic on my hands pretty soon!  Thanks!
>
>
>Sara
>in MS (zone 8?)

Dear Sara,
I don't name my plants, but I definitely have favorites. I talk to them and
also play music for them. (They don't seem to like TV all that much.)
About your little black bugs: have you tried insecticidal soap? It won't
hurt anything even if it doesn't alleviate your problems. As for your other
bugs, they sound more serious, and I don't know what they sound like to me.
Hopefully someone else will have a  more useful answer.   Happy Planting
Cindy
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