I want to buy plants that are safe for butterflies, pollinators and other beneficial insects. What if any pesticides/fungicides applied at the
What, if any, pesticides/fungicides applied at the nursery are ok? How long do they persist in the plant? I have read an article by the Xerces Society stating that neonicotinoids are a cause for concern. How can I tell if they were used and are there other pesticides used by nurseries that are also a problem?
Answer
Ellen, if you buy plants from the nursery, the best way to be sure they are safe is to wash the plant leaves before planting and remove most if not all of the soil the plant was in originally. Then repot if it isn't planting time. If a systemic was used (difficult to determine) also remove the first flush of flowers. Some people also remove all first buds.