How to revive my poisoned plants?

Question

I have a few small houseplants, sage, oregano, thyme, etc that I've just started taking care of. The idiot that i am, however, thought it would be a good idea to take an old spritzer bottle of 409 and use that as a water spritzer on the plants.

I don't think I cleaned the bottle out enough.

Now my plants are wilted. I've started giving them clean water that seems to have stopped the wilting but they're not getting healthier either.

Any ideas on how to get them back up on their feet (or roots, as the case may be)? Should I trim the dead leaves (for the oregano I don't see any leaves that aren't in a bad state), put any plant food in there? I mainly want to make sure I've removed whatever poison I put in there.

Answer 1

you got some bad advice up there. You must flush your plants, if the 409 is in the soil it may make it necessary to change dirt, but probably you can just pour a few gallons of DISTILLED water through them, and over them enough to wash off the soap. Dont feed them for a week and then only feed them half strength for another 2 weeks, thier roots are burnt and clogged with soap, and if you dont wash them off and flush the plants they will die.
You shouldnt cut off any of the leaves unless they are obviously dying, just rinse them off. In many cases you can cut off just the end of a wilting leaf and it will cease its dying process.

Good luck silly :)

Answer 2

Sorry!
But, it will be cheaper and easier to toss the old and start fresh. Really cheaper and easier!
Not gonna go for that? Hate to give up Eh?
O.K., well first take the plants and knock them out of the pots.
Wash the plant root and all under clean and slightly warm water.
Next hold each plant in your hand and cut of about 1/2 of the top growth and a tiny bit of the root growth.
Now replant in clean potting soil and in clean pots.
With a slightly cleaner mist bottle,. keep the local humidity a little bit higher for a week or so.
AND PRAY A LITTLE! or just buy new plants and start over a little smarter than the last time!

Answer 3

Oh dear god. Its ok to trim back the dead leaves(on the ones that aren't completely dead LOL). Follow the instructions to "flush" the soil with water. DO NOT FERTILIZE PLANTS THAT ARE STRESSED OR IN SHOCK. Give them a good spritzing with a clean water bottle to rinse off the 409. Bless your heart, I know you were just trying to do a good deed. LOL

Answer 4

you probably need to feed them a little. some water soluble fertilizer (like peters or miracle grow) mixed at HALF the recommended rate should be used twice a week until the are revived. water only until the soil is mosit and don't overwater.

good luck.

I'm not sure that 409 is specifically toxic to humans. contact poison control for details and advice on eating plants that were sprayed with it.

Answer 5

Pick up the whole plant and pot, take it to the sink, turn on the water, and turn the whole plant/pot sideways 90 degrees under the tap and rinse off the tops of the plants.