Hello-
About 6-8 weeks ago I brought this potted dipladenia indoors after having it outdoors here in Michigan all summer.
I've placed it with several other plants in a sunroom where it gets lots of light from skylights and large wall windows.
I added a couple supplemental fluorescent lamps for it as well to compensate for days with little sunshine. I keep the thermostat at 62-64 degrees F most days.
Its done quite well since coming inside, hasn't dropped any leaves & even grown a few more. I've been unsure how much to water it. I understand it should be watered less in the off season however it's getting lots of light & is probably pretty pot bound. It never feels very wet, even just after watering. I've been watering it thoroughly about once a week as opposed to about once per day when it was outside.
All was good until I noticed a few mealy bugs appearing a couple days ago. I removed the plant, sprayed it thoroughly for the pests & isolated it, at least temporarily, to a bedroom with a west facing window with the fluorescent lamps until I'm sure mealy bugs are gone.
My questions - Is there something I can do to reduce the likelihood of another mealy bug attack? Is this plant just more susceptible to pests when brought into indoor environment? Is there something with my watering routine that has contributed to the problem? I want to be sure I don't put other plants at risk by moving it back to the sunroom too soon.
I've included 2 photos here : 1) before I brought it indoors 6-8 was ago and 2) yesterday after treating for mealy bugs & isolating it in a bedroom.
Thanks very much reading & for any advice you may have.😊
