Pests!

Oh people, I have been plagued!!!! I suppose this has never been a problem because it seems to this day I've never bought plants from out of doors until this year. Years of only little seedlings worked up to big ol plants and now I'm definitely regretting this stupidity of purchasing from Lowe's because now I have!!!

DUNDUNDUN

Spider mites!

I absolutely loath them! They are slaying my mint plant, and have now affected all but two of my 6 basil plants. After examining the web for some kind of answer I came across something that claims to be a for sure thing. They said that if I mix dish soap, not anti bact. soap, with water and spray each of the plants and then rinse them with cold water we should be good. I really hope so because they are demolishing my plants and I'm getting VERY mad about it. I can't use anything that people can't ingest, because I use them as seasonings, so the soap seems best, but anyone with any other suggestions on the matter, PLEASE let me know.

Welcome to the Family!!!

That's right, the Aloe Vera has come home to live with me! We have named him Doug. And he's a perfectly lovely little plant with five tentacles and a brand new little bud. Though it is considered winter and the herb manual says that during he winter all I'm suppose to do is once a week squirt the spines with water. It ha some character to it this plant, with a growth on the biggest of them from being placed in extreme sunlight. Or at least that's what was being said about it. I'm not too certain that Illinois gets extreme sunlight, but he'll enjoy it here I hope. I cleaned off the little spines when I got it home and measured the longest one to monitor it's progress. 10 inches from base to end of the longest tip. Very cool. Lets hope I don't kill it right off the bat.