Organic Pesticides: Do I have to ??

[busterbilly]

Hey everybody, been lurking here for awhile and getting a great education, so thanks to all who share their knowledge. My question is should I use organic pesticides no matter what ?? My girl is in her 3rd week of flower, very healthy looking, and am not finding any signs of infestation. She hasn't really gotten to smelly, or sticky yet, but I know that is coming. I have her surrounded by huge tomato plants (6ft). Will the Tomatoes attract bugs to my plants as well. Been organic every bit of the way, which I understand can lead to a more "Resistant" plant. What do you guys think ??
No pictures I'm at work and not able to post any. Thanks in advance !!

 

[indcolts77]

My tomatoes have attracted a small white fly infestation. I have a clone right next to it and they seem to prefer the tomato plants. I used $10 dyna gro neem oil and some soap i had lying around to spray the clone so im assuming that's why.

At your stage of flowering you don't HAVE to go organic but why wouldn't you? The chemical stuff is more expensive (for me anyways, FF dont bug me was $16 vs $10 neem) and no worrying about whether or not your smoking poison....i dont think its that serious though, not enough research on marijuana consumption yet to really know

What are you trying to use?

 

[gioua]

my .000002 if you can spend the time to control the pests do so... (understand the use of the stuff.) Look for the signs of pests (bite marks dark spots on leaves Budworm poop or eggs ) I just got my 1st budworm by looking at the plants and saw a portion of the plant had been kinda squeezed together so I thought it was a garden web spider (no biggie) but then inside the leaf wrapping was the worm..

 

[Laney]

I have gone some year without using anything. However, I am not taking any chances this year. Organics are safe and inexpensive. I am rotating through a number of organics with just one application per week and no problems keeping them at bay. I had been using mostly Safer's soap and Neem (I used one shot of permethrin to eradicate leaf rollers while I was waiting for the BT to arrive' I will skip the permethrin next year unless there is an emergency) but now I am rotating Azamax, Spinosad and BT during flower. Some people spray every few days, but I find once for every 6 or 7 days is enough where I am. I will stop a couple of weeks before I plan to harvest.

 

[Laney]

my .000002 if you can spend the time to control the pests do so... (understand the use of the stuff.) Look for the signs of pests (bite marks dark spots on leaves Budworm poop or eggs ) I just got my 1st budworm by looking at the plants and saw a portion of the plant had been kinda squeezed together so I thought it was a garden web spider (no biggie) but then inside the leaf wrapping was the worm..

That is a leaf roller. The budworms are not as obvious and once you see signs, you are already infested (deep in the buds) a few rounds of BT or spinosad will prevent that heartache. Haven't had budworms in the past, but I am not going to take chances!

 

[gioua]

That is a leaf roller. The budworms are not as obvious and once you see signs, you are already infested (deep in the buds) a few rounds of BT or spinosad will prevent that heartache. Haven't had budworms in the past, but I am not going to take chances!

nah she was a budworm.. screamed like one too..

 

[Laney]

Budworms and leaf rollers are two different kinds of insects. The leaf rollers are not as bad because you can see them and pick them off (as I was doing before I started spraying). The budworms hide in and feed off your bud. The only signs are poop trails (ugh!) and eggs. However, it seems that the pistils will turn red when the bud is infested. BT is only effective for budworms while the bud is still in the early stages so I am spraying now and will probably stop end of Sept. I have never had budworms. After reading the budworm thread, I realize how lucky I have been. A crop can look beautiful and be terribly ruined at the same time.

 

[busterbilly]

I guess I should clarify: I am not pondering organic vs. chemical pesticides, I am definitely trying not to use anything, but it seems like the suggestion from you all is to start a little prevention of Neem or BT. I've gotten this far, why screw it up now, besides as a rookie first timer I'm sure there is plenty left to screw up !! HA. Does anybody know if either of these will affect the taste of the bud even if I stop weeks before harvest ??

 

[Laney]

I've already stopped the Neem and Safer's soap because of the smell. I can't think it doesn't impact taste. It certainly makes visiting my ladies less enjoyable. I'll save what I have left for next year late veg.

For the last part of the grow, after much research, I am alternating weekly with Azamax, Spinosad (Monterey), and BT (Safer's). Any two of these will do. Just one application of one of these each week. I don't like to use much of anything and I always strive to contain myself, lol.

 

[indcolts77]

Im still using neem and coco wet but im barely starting to flower. I use once a week and plan on stopping w 4 weeks left in flower. neem oil breaks down rapidly (just like BT) so should not effect taste at all unless used right before harvest... im thinking 4 weeks should be more then enough time for the neem to break down. I dont mind the smell so much either. Reminds me of peanut oil lol and i can still smell the dankness. I only use 1.5 tsp though per quart of water and 1/2 tsp of coco wet

And to the OP, yes its definitely advisable to be proactive about this as you can already tell...im a mj newbie too but this is what everyone tells me...i also have dealt with pests in my veggie garden for a few years now and ive learned my lesson