I was thinking today (more generally) about how we deal with new plants and the new pests they may be introducing to our local environment. So I thought I would share on this thread.
There is a certain dogma about quarantine, as if we would have a whole area with great light which could be reserved for new plants. Not to say that's not a great idea, if it's possible for you, but I have chosen an alternative which works given the lack of space here. I just put the new plants in the most visible place instead, of the various options available. Which for me is a shelf at about chest level right by the door on our rooftop balcony... right as I pass through I can let my eyes wander and see what's up with the newbies, with minimal effort or even intention.
So I guess I am replacing quarantine with a form of enhanced surveillance, or vigilance if you will. And it seems to work.
I will physically separate a plant with a florid bug problem, just on the obvious reasoning that the shorter the distance the bugs have to travel, the more likely they are to do it. But new plants go on that shelf next to everybody else (after a close inspection), and then I get to see how they respond to coming out of a box and being in new soil (as is most often the case), the sort of shriveling and unshriveling that are the aftermath of bare-root transport, the latter closely tied to the first deep watering, if the roots are in good shape.
The best treatment for most pests and diseases is prevention, a large part of which is just being aware of small changes before they spiral out of control.
