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 satyr
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Registered: 11/13/07
Posts: 1,179
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 Salvia-unique pest problem
#8308050 - 04/20/08 02:58 PM (5 months, 18 days ago) |
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Okay, so I discovered a strange problem today with one of my salvias. Fungus gnats have been an ongoing problem, but i have kept them under control fairly well. The thing is, here is the way my plant is growing:
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The central stem between the two main branches is of course hollow, and I have discovered that the gnats are actually living inside of the stem! The question is, how do I get them out? Would it be safe to spray an insecticide into the stem?
Once I get them out I was considering covering the hole with wax to prevent future infestation.
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truffleupagus
nutsyfagan why-o-geeza-deech
 
Registered: 02/19/06
Posts: 2,104
Loc: 2 inches to the left
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Re: Salvia-unique pest problem [Re: satyr]
#8308914 - 04/20/08 09:14 PM (5 months, 18 days ago) |
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I'm assuming the main stem is already cut since you can see gnats inside it. I think it would be advisable to try saturating the soil with something to get rid of the bugs first. But if that doesn't work then I don't see how getting a little bit inside the main stem would hurt. And yeah, putting something over that hole would probably be a good idea.
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ectolysergic
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Registered: 02/23/08
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sounds like they've infested your growing medium. i would unpot, clean, transfer to a new clearn pot and this time put a layer of peat moss or coconut fiber on top to prevent larva. the fibers will be coarse enough to prevent them from hatching larvae again.
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satyr
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Registered: 11/13/07
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Last seen: 12 hours, 58 minutes
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Re: Salvia-unique pest problem [Re: ectolysergic]
#8309685 - 04/21/08 05:18 AM (5 months, 18 days ago) |
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I just noticed that my little diagram didnt work.
Anyway, I tried peatmoss to no avail; If I can find coconut coir I will try that. Some have suggested diatomaceous earth, but Im afraid the powder will simply wash through the soil at next watering and harm the roots.
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 Taharka
The Root of theProblem
Registered: 09/29/05
Posts: 649
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Re: Salvia-unique pest problem [Re: satyr]
#8309689 - 04/21/08 05:24 AM (5 months, 18 days ago) |
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Diatomaceous earth will not harm the roots. Also, like previous posters suggested, put down something to keep them from laying eggs in the soil. I kept my Pereskiopsis for grafting in tubs of water and they got gnats really bad. So I sealed the top of every pot whose graft took with a layer of sand and then a layer of gravel. Three years later, those grafts and Pereskiopsis are doing fine and there are no more gnats.
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