Question
I have recently bought a diffenbachia (sp)about one month ago.  I noticed yesterday that I had some kind of insect in it.  It appears to be a centipede of some kind.  There seems to be quite a bit of them.  I also noticed some kind of small worm that was washed out of the soil when I watered it the day before.  I have bought new potting soil and I was going to completely re-pot the plant.  But I want to make sure that I am doing the right thing and, if I am, if I should remove all the original soil.  My other house plants that I bought at the same time do not appear to have the same problem.  

It is in a 10 gallon comtainer.  I am watering my plant once every two weeks, because I beleive I over watered it at first and some of the leaves fell off.  The pants seems to be doing well, it has sprouted new growth and the rest of the leaves are strong with no discoloration.  It is in an eastern window with filtered sunlight.  I am very new to caring for houseplants and I was alarmed by the bugs in the soil, plus I don't want them in my house.  

Can you tell me what to do?

Thank you

Answer
Shannon,

Repotting it is probably a good idea but I would encourage you to first pick up a bag of perlite and a bag of horticultural charcoal.  Mix 6 gallons of neew potting soil with 4 gallons of perlite and a bag of charcoal. Use that mix to repot the plant.  That is a very large pot you have it in. Did it come in that pot? Continue keeping it on the dry side and the bugs should not come back. Remove as much of the old soil as possible withoug totally tearing the roots apsrt. More questions, ask again. Good luck.

                                        Darlene

Shannon,

You said it was a 10 gallon pot. It sounds like you meant 10 inch pot.  Change my previous mixing instructions  from gallons to cups or liters. Just keep the proportions the same. Change the  quantity of charcoal to 1 cup instead of a package. Good luck.
                                     Darlene