Lavender, Gnats and Neem Oil?

[rootforme]

what would be your preventative or beneficial additive strategy at the start of your grow?

1. Nematodes (for pests every 2-3 weeks)
2. mycorrhizal fungus
3. vermacompost (earthworms prevent soil compaction)

lollipop and plant clovers for cover crop. They add nitrogen and phosphorus back into the soil. Throw banana peels in the soil for potassium.

 

[ShawnSunshine]

I personally would avoid any oils which have strong smells with cannabis (during flowering at least). I don't really want my weed to smell like lavender, unless that's what the cultivar is supposed to taste like. Sesame oil works pretty well for pest prevention, and has no real odor, but not sure how it works on gnats. Your mosquito bits will help, but may not completely get rid of them. I've heard of people using spinosad drenches for gnats, but spinosad use is questionable in some circles, despite it being organically based.

I won't use any oils during flowering time...

Only during veggie

 

[ShawnSunshine]

1. Nematodes (for pests every 2-3 weeks)
2. mycorrhizal fungus
3. vermacompost (earthworms prevent soil compaction)

lollipop and plant clovers for cover crop. They add nitrogen and phosphorus back into the soil. Throw banana peels in the soil for potassium.

Lolipop what?
What's a plant cover?

Hmm I dunno about the banana peels just yet. That will attract more bugs.
Thought of that though, if it get red Wigglers, to feed them organic matter.


I'm adding my wood ash (potassium) into my mix soon.

Got the fungus

Don't have nematodes right now though.

Have beneficial bacteria though.

I see nematodes on Amazon, but expensive.

Natural ways to increase nematodes?

Have EWC in my soil

 

[PJ Diaz]

I won't use any oils during flowering time...

Only during veggie

I'm willing to spray if needed up to week 3 of flowering. If I'm not using predatory mites, I will usually spray at one week into flowering, but lately the predators have been doing their job quite well.

 

[ShawnSunshine]

I use DIY home remedies. I've switched over to sesame oil from neem since I use sesame oil for cooking and always have it on hand. 1/2 tsp in a quart of water with a drop or 2 of soap sprayed on the surface of the growing medium is what I use when I notice any gnats. After spraying that I don't notice them anymore.

Dang , well I have some toasted sesame oil.. Will that work?

I could always send the neem oil back, but might be good to have it too, just in case.

 

[ShawnSunshine]

I'm willing to spray if needed up to week 3 of flowering. If I'm not using predatory mites, I will usually spray at one week into flowering, but lately the predators have been doing their job quite well.

What's a predatorary mite?

That the same as nematodes?

 

[PJ Diaz]

Dang , well I have some toasted sesame oil.. Will that work?

I could always send the neem oil back, but might be good to have it too, just in case.

I spray neem on my rose bushes some times to prevent rust and PM. It does have a place in my garden, just not near my consumables.

 

[ShawnSunshine]

I spray neem on my rose bushes some times to prevent rust and PM. It does have a place in my garden, just not near my consumables.

 

[ShawnSunshine]

Ahh hmm ok.

Well I see people spraying neem oil on cannabis and swearing by it.. So hmmm.


I may not even like the smell, I've never tried neem oil.

Just been using lavender oil on my peace lily and primrose.

I could use lavender on my cannabis still, since it's purple haze , hehe

 

[PJ Diaz]

What's a predatorary mite?

That the same as nematodes?

No, nematodes are tiny worms basically, smaller than you can see with the human eye. The go into the anus of insects and eat them from the inside out.

Predatory mites are carnivorous mites which eat herbaceous mites.

You can buy both type of beneficial online. I use Nature's Good Guys. Personally I only buy nematodes once or twice a year, and apply them mostly outdoors.

I like these mites myself: https://www.naturesgoodguys.com/products/500-live-adult-predatory-mites-a-mix-of-predatory-mite-species-for-spider-mite-control

 

[PJ Diaz]

Ahh hmm ok.

Well I see people spraying neem oil on cannabis and swearing by it.. So hmmm.


I may not even like the smell, I've never tried neem oil.

Just been using lavender oil on my peace lily and primrose.

I could use lavender on my cannabis still, since it's purple haze , hehe

I used to spray neem on my cannabis too, like 10 years ago. Shortly thereafter my grow buddy (who had been growing longer than me) told me he could taste whether or not weed had been sprayed with neem. I didn't believe him, so I tested him. Sure enough he could tell. Once I started paying closer attention, I realized that I could tell too. Once I started researching the potential negative effects of neem, I stopped using it and have found better alternatives in the meantime. I use bacteria to prevent molds and mildews and oils, citric acid to kill pests, predators, or biologicals. I have zero need for neem in my cannabis garden.

 

[xtsho]

Ahh hmm ok.

Well I see people spraying neem oil on cannabis and swearing by it.. So hmmm.


I may not even like the smell, I've never tried neem oil.

Just been using lavender oil on my peace lily and primrose.

I could use lavender on my cannabis still, since it's purple haze , hehe

I only used neem in veg. Never in flower.

 

[ShawnSunshine]

I used to spray neem on my cannabis too, like 10 years ago. Shortly thereafter my grow buddy (who had been growing longer than me) told me he could taste whether or not weed had been sprayed with neem. I didn't believe him, so I tested him. Sure enough he could tell. Once I started paying closer attention, I realized that I could tell too. Once I started researching the potential negative effects of neem, I stopped using it and have found better alternatives in the meantime. I use bacteria to prevent molds and mildews and oils, citric acid to kill pests, predators, or biologicals. I have zero need for neem in my cannabis garden.

How effective is sesame oil?
Is toasted oil ok?


The stuff I'm getting is 1% neem oil.

I'll just use it for my OTHER flowers

 

[ShawnSunshine]

No, nematodes are tiny worms basically, smaller than you can see with the human eye. The go into the anus of insects and eat them from the inside out.

Predatory mites are carnivorous mites which eat herbaceous mites.

You can buy both type of beneficial online. I use Nature's Good Guys. Personally I only buy nematodes once or twice a year, and apply them mostly outdoors.

I like these mites myself: https://www.naturesgoodguys.com/products/500-live-adult-predatory-mites-a-mix-of-predatory-mite-species-for-spider-mite-control

I dunno about adding mites and nematodes.

I'm already going to be adding the bacteria that eats the gnat larvae.


Do I absolutely need nematodes or mites?

 

[ShawnSunshine]

I used to spray neem on my cannabis too, like 10 years ago. Shortly thereafter my grow buddy (who had been growing longer than me) told me he could taste whether or not weed had been sprayed with neem. I didn't believe him, so I tested him. Sure enough he could tell. Once I started paying closer attention, I realized that I could tell too. Once I started researching the potential negative effects of neem, I stopped using it and have found better alternatives in the meantime. I use bacteria to prevent molds and mildews and oils, citric acid to kill pests, predators, or biologicals. I have zero need for neem in my cannabis garden.

What bacteria is good for mold and mildew?

I have a whole bunch of beneficial bacteria in my soil 2 bags , lots plus fungus

 

[PJ Diaz]

How effective is sesame oil?
Is toasted oil ok?


The stuff I'm getting is 1% neem oil.

I'll just use it for my OTHER flowers

Not sure on the toasted stuff. Oils basically suffocate the insects by coating them with oil. Citric acid is cheap and effective and will just straight up kill the pests.

I dunno about adding mites and nematodes.

I'm already going to be adding the bacteria that eats the gnat larvae.


Do I absolutely need nematodes or mites?

No you don't need them necessarily, they are just one part of an IMP scheme. You can practice different IPM techniques to keep pests at bay. Beneficial insects are nice because it means that you don't have to spray your plants with pesticides.

What bacteria is good for mold and mildew?

I have a whole bunch of beneficial bacteria in my soil 2 bags , lots plus fungus

Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain D747, which is the active ingredient in Southern Ag GFF: https://southernag.com/residential-products/garden-friendly-fungcde-12x1-pt/

 

[xtsho]

How effective is sesame oil?
Is toasted oil ok?


The stuff I'm getting is 1% neem oil.

I'll just use it for my OTHER flowers

Sesame oil is effective for a variety of plant ailments from pathogens like PM to insects like mites. It needs to be used sparingly and used at the right time if sprayed on leaves as it will cause phototoxicity easier than some oils but less than some. But you wouldn't be spraying it on the leaves for gnats.

I'd also check the label of the sesame oil you have to make sure it's pure. Much of what's in the stores is mostly soybean oil. But soybean oil will do basically the same thing.


Also 1% neem oil sounds like a name brand commercial ready spray product. The best way to purchase neem is to get 100% cold pressed neem oil and mix it yourself.

 

[PadawanWarrior]

No, nematodes are tiny worms basically, smaller than you can see with the human eye. The go into the anus of insects and eat them from the inside out.

Predatory mites are carnivorous mites which eat herbaceous mites.

You can buy both type of beneficial online. I use Nature's Good Guys. Personally I only buy nematodes once or twice a year, and apply them mostly outdoors.

I like these mites myself: https://www.naturesgoodguys.com/products/500-live-adult-predatory-mites-a-mix-of-predatory-mite-species-for-spider-mite-control

Where do you get these things? They don't just go up butts, lol. And you can see them sometimes swimming in the water.

I'm a fan of them and predators though.

 

[Kerowacked]

All this over a fungus gnat? Just water properly, don’t use spray bottles, water deeply and walk away til she wilts. If the primrose really has fungus gnats and not fruit flies, put an inch on sand on the soil, breaks the cycle, they can’t go through sand, wet or dry. Sticky traps and bti work, neem is nasty to smoke, being systemic i have only used it in early veg and i swear you can still taste it later.

 

[ShawnSunshine]

All this over a fungus gnat? Just water properly, don’t use spray bottles, water deeply and walk away til she wilts. If the primrose really has fungus gnats and not fruit flies, put an inch on sand on the soil, breaks the cycle, they can’t go through sand, wet or dry. Sticky traps and bti work, neem is nasty to smoke, being systemic i have only used it in early veg and i swear you can still taste it later.

Probably sending neem back, in exchange for some other thing.

Can't stop it now, already arriving tomorrow.

But then again I could use the neem on my non edible plants.