Tulasi Sevak's

During the weekdays I work in Philadelphia, so I ask two good friends of mine to check up on Tulasi devi twice during the week.  Nishan and Nimai take time off in their busy lives to tend to Tulasi devi.  They water her if needed, spray her down, refill her humidifier, open the window for some fresh air, and chant japa in front of her.  "Whoever takes shelter of you has his wishes fulfilled, bestowing your mercy on him, you make him a resident of Vrindavan..."

Myself and Nishan in Barsana, 2011

Nishan sent me this picture from today: October 23rd, 2012

I sprayed her down with Safer's insecticide on Saturday and she seems like shes recovering from the attack of red spider mites.  The directions call to spray her again in another 10 days.  

Recovering from Red Spider Mites

Shes thinning out for the winter, as all Tulasi's do.  It's nothing to get alarmed about.  Its normal for her to drop dry, yellow leaves.  If she is dropping green ones, then there's a problem...

Her leaves are still slightly curled but getting better, much better than a week ago, which was probably due to the spider mites sucking her life from the underside of her leaves. 

I haven't watered her since October 15th, which was last Monday   Her pot is quite big and the soil may seem dry on top, but this is not a gauge for a need for water.  Her leaves will get sort of droopy and soft if she needs water.  It's better to underwater her than over water her.  Her leaves are slightly firm right now and I think she will need a watering when Nimai comes on Thursday.  

It's normal for Tulasi to thin out in the colder season.