What do you do with a new plant?

Good Morning
Yesterday while reading my Av magazine there was an article on bringing new plants in to the home. The authur stated that she disbudded all of her new plants, washed them in soapy warm water, repotted with some marathon and sprayed with neem oil.
What does everyone else do? What does disbudding do to help the plant?

Gail if you read this.. I sprayed the remaining plants I have left with Avid and everthing else (all of my orchids) also sprayed my orchids with orthene, has anyone used orthene on A/V? This was quite a job, and have to do it every 3 days for 3 sessions, according to Anne at primary products(rose and pesticide products). I also had to do all of my roses (75). I guess I may have brought the cyclamen mites inside from my outside plants. Very important to wash your hands after working outside. I understand the little buggers can be under your finger nails or on your clothing.

1 more question, do any of you sterilize your potting mix for the A/v?

Thanks for any help,
Jill

hi Jill,

I have heard that you disbud them because it can be a hiding place for bugs.:o)

Jill,
I no longer grow 100's of plants like I used to,but all I ever did was keep the new plants isolated from the rest for at least a week or two,just to make sure none of them had bunched,twisted centers or anything else pointing to cyclamen mites.As far as disbudding goes,if it's a healthy looking plant with a few buds there is no need,but if it's a tiny plant with a lot of buds and you are repotting it,it needs all of it's energy at first to establish a good root system.If the plants don't appear to have any problems after a week or two,it is not necessary to douse them with Malathion (SP?),although I used to do that from time to time as a preventative measure.I ,personaly,would be very careful about washing a brand new plant at least until it has a chance to accustom it's self to a new environment.
Lynn