Saw a whole greenhouse get wiped out by a single pest last spring

I was at the volunteer day for the city's botanical garden. They had a new shipment of about 200 native ferns in the propagation house. Someone didn't check the new plants, and they brought in scale insects. Within two weeks, the infestation spread to every single plant in that greenhouse. The head gardener told me, 'We lost the whole crop, and it set the native restoration project back by a full season.' Now I quarantine any new plant I bring home for at least a month, no exceptions. Has anyone else had to deal with a pest outbreak that got out of hand that fast?

2 comments

2 Comments

troy_reed29d ago

Wasn't my place, but a buddy lost his whole pepper seedling setup to aphids that came in on a "gifted" herb from a neighbor. I mean, it spread like crazy in days, just wiped him out. Makes you super paranoid about bringing anything new inside.

olivia_morgan829d ago

That quarantine period idea is smart, but honestly the real risk is SOIL. Those little buggers hide in the dirt, not just on leaves. A cheap magnifying glass and checking the underside of every single leaf for a week straight is the only safe bet.