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truffleupagus


Registered: 02/19/06
Posts: 3,103
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Keeping the bugs away from my viridis
#7600053 - 11/05/07 08:03 PM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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I have this viridis plant that I started from a leaf cutting. There's actually four separate chutes that shot up from the cutting and I've been afraid to try to separate them so I've just left them in the same container so far. Problem is, there's constantly a handful of little gnats swarming around it. They seem to be particularly fond of the viridis and none of my other plants. I even see 'em walking around the surface of the soil too. Any suggestions?

Anyway, I have this stuff called Bugzyme which is apparently "All Natural" but I'm still hesitant to use it on an ethno that I'll eventually be brewing into a tea. It says that it's "100% safe for pets and people" but then it also says that it can cause diarrhea if ingested. We used it on our rhododendron bush outside but I'm wondering if there's something better that I could do for the viridis.
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truffleupagus


Registered: 02/19/06
Posts: 3,103
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Re: Keeping the bugs away from my viridis [Re: truffleupagus]
#7600170 - 11/05/07 08:27 PM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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Should I use it but maybe just spray the surface of the soil lightly and see if that helps?
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felixhigh
Scientist



Registered: 06/24/01
Posts: 7,557
Loc: Ly
Last seen: 1 month, 9 days
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Re: Keeping the bugs away from my viridis [Re: truffleupagus]
#7600446 - 11/05/07 09:28 PM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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You may try to hang orange peels on your plants, most Psychotria bugs give up on that.
FH
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truffleupagus


Registered: 02/19/06
Posts: 3,103
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Re: Keeping the bugs away from my viridis [Re: felixhigh]
#7600612 - 11/05/07 09:55 PM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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Yeah, thanks. I don't think mine's quite big enough to put orange peels on yet but I'll keep that in mind for later.
Anyways, I'm an idiot. Didn't even realize that the ingredients are listed on the Bugzyme. The active ingredient is just citric acid. Other than that it contains water, seaweed edible??, molasses, yeast and urea. So I guess it should be fine to use. Thanks again.
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karode13
Tāne Mahuta




Registered: 05/19/05
Posts: 15,290
Loc: LV-426
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Re: Keeping the bugs away from my viridis [Re: truffleupagus]
#7601331 - 11/06/07 03:18 AM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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Try to let the soil dry a bit in between watering. Gnats love moist soil and high humidity, especially in seedlings and cuttings.
The Bugzyme might deal to the adult flies but not the larvae, which live in the soil. A product that works well for control is a Neem oil drench, then again I only use as a last resort.
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Cheezit
Feel like aStranger

Registered: 10/19/07
Posts: 843
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Re: Keeping the bugs away from my viridis [Re: truffleupagus]
#7601637 - 11/06/07 08:31 AM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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You shouldn't worry about a couple gnats on the pot. As ^ said before just let the top inch of soil dry out nice between waterings. The viridis can handle it.
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Dr. uarewotueat
Peyote Farmer


Registered: 09/02/06
Posts: 16,545
Loc: Uk / Philippines
Last seen: 10 years, 6 months
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Re: Keeping the bugs away from my viridis [Re: Cheezit]
#7601788 - 11/06/07 09:32 AM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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a thin layer of DE on top of the soil will kill the gnat larvae if they become a problem, and PWN any emerging gnats... also try hanging one of those sticky fly paper things on a stick so it hangs just above the surface of the soil, that will catch any adult gnats that are around
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