Question
We are new to gardening and house plants.  We purchased a Red Sister plant and it is dying and there are several worms in the soil.  If we do the 50/50 water and alchol on the leaves, stem and when we replace the soil do we need to cut any leaves off or any parts of the stem?  Just want to make sure we get it all so we can have a healthy plant. The worms are very skinny and also some that are fatter.

Thank you.

Answer
Teresa,

It is not necessary to cut any leaves off or any parts of the stem. It is not necessary to replace the soil either. Just set it in the sink without the drain tray and run straight alcohol through it. Then leave it sit and drain for at least 8 hours. NEVER leave it sit with water in the drain tray EVER. Don't water it until it has been dry for a week.  Reduce the amount of water you give it by half and do not water it again until it has been dry for 3 days. The worms are the larva of fungus gnats that are there because you have overwatered it and there are rotting roots that they are drawn to because they smell them. To them rotting roots smell like steak. Just like overripe bananas smell wonderful to fruit flies. You have to make sure the plant dries out between waterings so the roots have time to heal. The alcohol will kill the worms. You may need a 2nd application 22 weeks later. Good luck!

Darlene