Those leaves look like they're suffering from iron chlorosis. The soil could be iron deficient, but iron chlorosis is often caused by alkalinity. I think it's far more likely that your potting soil is getting less acidic, not more acidic. Why do you think it's becoming more acidic? Have you had tests that show it, or is it because the leaves are turning yellow with green veins. If the former, I'll bet you're using a home test kit and I suspect it's not very accurate. If the latter, you've misdiagnosed alkaline conditions as acidic conditions. Get a small amount of fertilizer that says something like "for acid loving plants" or "rhododendron fertilizer" or "azalea fertilizer" (if it has some iron in it, that's even better). you probably want to get something that is water soluble/fast acting. If you're still thinking it's due to acidity, test it with one plant and see if it makes a difference. I really think you need to lower the pH of the soil, not raise it. One other thing to note is that you should make sure you're not over watering. Too much water can also cause chlorosis.

Hi MKitten and ALL! I had the opportunity the other day to go through my bin(s), actually I have two small fish container bins instead of the one I mentioned above. I also have a 3'x 8'x 4'high outdoor compost bin that was the original source of the worms I presently have. I've been vermicomposting indoors for the past 12 months. Anyway, the other day was the first time I actually dumped the smaller bins out in 8 or 9 months to check on the possibility if I had the pot or white worm problem you mentioned. All of the worms I have seem to be "red". I did notice what appeared to be dirt was compacted clumps of soil. I had to use a putty knife to clean out the bottom 2" or 3" and the sidewalls. I noticed the soil wasn't, or didn't appear to be mud. I was able to break the clumps down easily with the palm of my hand or fingers and there were a number of babies within the clumps. I did find a number of larger adult reds that apparently has kept the bins producing. (Can I ask what is the life expectancy of these worms?) And, was this black soil actually compacted castings over the year of composting? I added dry leaves, coffee grounds, shredded newspaper, small pieces of cardboard and an over-ripened banana and one week later the soil is fluffy and not nearly as "wet" (which was another problem I was experiencing.) The worms seem to be more active and coming to the top of the container as they previously had before. From other posts I've read it seems these worms don't like to be disturbed during their foraging. The 2 containers I have are 15"X 11"x 4.5" high. At what point of time do you think I should stop feeding and start the process all over using this size of container? Thanks for your help and concern! Jim

In my zone (7b) will I have to bring them inside during the winter ? I had several planted in large whiskey barrel planters that came back good as new ==>>> they are not houseplants.. and will fail.. if you meant indoors ... they have a requisite cold dormancy ... besides.. if the others made it outdoors over winter.. why would new ones need anything different ... they survive down to z 3 or 4 ...why you think your z7 is somehow too cold for them .. is bordering on trying to love them to death ... after they go dormant ... tip the pot in its side.. and go hibernate ... and even better if you can place the pots.. where they will stay out of winter sun.. so they dont come out of dormancy in some weird mid winter warm spell .. the only other real concern.. is too much water in your potting media ... when the plant is dormant.. that is why you tip them over .. but you might also think about how to reduce water in the barrels.... ken

You're preaching to the choir. :-) Do you find you use 1 tsp in 1 gallon water equivalent? Indoors, I confess to using an atomizer--4 oz, in which I use about 4 drops of soap. All things considered--yes, yes, I'm an untutored boor and fly by the seat of my pants--it's a fairly weak solution but seems to do the trick on most things. I haven't had issues on anything I've personally tried it on (and I grow some whacky, whacky stuff, including succulents, ferns, palms, and ivies both indoors and out) in amounts up to 1 tsp in 1 gallon (a 0.13% solution of a sodium surfactant, not a soap). I tend not to use soaps (even though I'm a soap maker) because the soap I make is sodium-based and, hence, a solid. I haven't bought a soap since...er...what decade is this? COVID-19 should fear me; I knocked together a high-stearate soap with a pH of nearly 10.5 and super-suds that I doubt it can survive for one second, much less the entire chorus of Spears' "Hit Me Baby, One More Time." ... Don't judge me. :-) Similarly, I'm unafraid to pull out the Bayer when the trick isn't, as they say, well-turned. That's got to be an option, but I will say I'm not real happy using it indoors just because I tend to be extremely conservative with exposure to such things (I already spend time with cadmium, cobalt, and titanium on my hands). I'd recommend that OP spray it outside if the temps are appropriate, or in the garage if that's above freezing, and bring the plant in once the spray settles--and rinse the plant before letting it hang around and evaporate. Yes, yes, it's not supposed to do that. A lot of things aren't supposed to happen, but do. It's why I even clean my cuticles with an old toothbrush before eating. Let's not even discuss neem. There's been...a major issue when I pointed out it's an abortifacient and can cause spontaneous loss of pregnancy early on, or in cases where the pregnancy is not going well. Houzz moderators had to intervene. One guess who. It's not a major issue later in pregnancy, and won't be at all an issue for most people (the dose being low)...but it's unwise to take chances, particularly in the case of difficult pregnancies, or early in any given pregnancy. File it under, "Better Safe Than Sorry," along with exposing yourself to anything made from elderberries, catching rubella, and playing tackle football when trying to become pregnant. Some cats also show adverse reactions to neem, up to and including death. This is, fortunately, quite rare. But it's wise to keep neem away from both toddlers and cats.