A few days to a week or so ago, I noticed these strange white fuzzy patches on our hanging pathos in my office room window. To be honest, I didn’t pay much attention to them at first. Perhaps it was a subconscious effort to avoid dealing with the fact that something might be wrong with my beloved plant. Over the next few days, despite being swamped with work and other responsibilities, I couldn’t help but cast worried glances at my pathos, which was slowly but painfully withering away. I clung to the hope that it would miraculously recover on its own.

However, my perspective changed during a recent visit to my friend Max’s place to celebrate his birthday. As we chatted about plants (an always delightful topic), I mentioned the sorry state of my pathos while admiring his thriving one. Max, noting my watering frequency and my plant’s general “decay,” suggested it might be root rot. While I had considered root rot as a possibility, I hadn’t done any research to confirm it. Max’s input made me realize that I had a real problem on my hands, one that needed solving.

I knew the general solutions for dealing with root rot, but I also understood that it would involve a significant amount of work. After all, it meant diving into a world of plant care videos, online advice, and, of course, more work. Nevertheless, I couldn’t give up on my plant so easily. As I write this now, I’m reminded of the bond I share with my plants and how I couldn’t let this one suffer.

The task ahead seemed daunting. Cleaning numerous leaves, big and small, nestled within the nooks and crannies of a pathos was no small feat. I anticipated that it would be time-consuming and would require patience to meticulously examine each leaf and branch. Nevertheless, I pressed forward. After watching a few YouTube videos, reading Reddit posts, and perusing blog articles, one solution seemed to have a unanimous consensus: showering the plant with a mixture of 80% rubbing alcohol and 20% water using a spray bottle. Ordinary 70% isopropyl alcohol from a drugstore would suffice.

The videos I watched explained that the fuzzy patches were actually tiny bugs. When you spray them with alcohol, they die instantly, turning from white to black right before your eyes. It was oddly satisfying to spray the pathos’ leaves and branches from every angle and witness these little pests shrivel up (though I’m not sure if “shriveling up” is scientifically accurate). It felt like redemption for the plant, which couldn’t defend itself against this infestation. So, what causes a mealybug infestation, you ask?

“Mealybugs are attracted to plants with high nitrogen levels and soft growth; they may appear if you overwater and over-fertilize your plants. Properly watering and feeding plants not only lower the risk of mealybugs but are also crucial for preventing plant diseases.” – (source: thespruce.com)

My recent purchase of The Miracle Grow Indoor Plant Liquid Food had filled me with excitement. The prospect of faster and better growth had seduced me. However, I had overlooked the fact that overfeeding and overwatering could harm plants and lead to infestations like the one I was now dealing with. With determination, I sprayed each leaf individually, making sure to cover both the top and bottom, while also clearing away any dead leaves and branches that were unsurprisingly infected.

I found the shower to be the perfect setting for this task. It allowed me to hang the plant from the showerhead, making it easier to reach every nook and cranny. When it came time to rinse, the handheld showerhead provided just the right balance of pressure and agility. The alcohol spray could be inhaled (I assumed), and it certainly had a strong smell, so wearing a mask or using a shirt to cover my face proved useful and effective.

As I write these thoughts down, my pathos stands on the path to recovery. I just hope that none of my other plants start reacting negatively to the growth hormones and nutrients I’ve been providing. I haven’t fed the plants in about a week or two, and I don’t plan to for the next few weeks.

In the end, the experience served as a valuable lesson in plant care. It taught me that the joy of watching my plants thrive should be balanced with a mindful approach to their needs. Sometimes, even in the face of adversity, we can find redemption for the things we care about the most.