black dots on leaves and bugs w/pics weed ok?

This is 8 weeks into flower on first grow and have major environment control issues in regards to temp and humidity. Been trying to control these but have had leaves curling dying and poor bud growth. This is 8 weeks into flower I pulled off a chunk and took pictures and noticed it's covered in black dots. Flicked it onto a white plate and these bugs came off. Are these buds ruined? Being so far into flower what should I realistically do? Any help appreciated
 

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Cannabinoid Froyd

Well-Known Member
Looks like thrips damage on the flower bit the bug looks like a fly. Can't see it too well.

Have you found any kind any skin casings on the under side of the leafs?
 

Cannabinoid Froyd

Well-Known Member
Up to you on what to do. If you feel like you can break out your "War-Fingers" and squish every one you see you may be able to extend the grow but it looks like they may have already damaged too much. How does the rest of the plant compare?

I had a similar problem with spider mites a while ago. Broke out the "War-Fingers", because spraying with chemicals isn't an option at this stage, and just kept on top of it everyday. Spending an hour each day wiping out the population. Never got rid of them completely but was able to keep then from ruining my flower. However, this was on a single plant grow. If it had been a closet full, I would have chopped it all down and called it a loss. Almost impossible to keep up on an infestation once it is in full swing, especially this stage into flower.

I looked closer at your bug and definitely is a Thrips problem. Get your hands on some food grade Diatomaceous Earth and spread that all over the soil medium. This will help kill any new hatchling. Be careful as it is easily airborne and is unhealthy to inhale the dust.
 
Damn. I have some breathing problems and don't think I should mess with the dia Earth. What about just harvesting early and clipping my buds off and drying?
 
I just checked my calendar and it's actually been 9.5 weeks since I flipped my lights to 12/12. It's a sativa supposed to be ready in 9-10 weeks. I was actually taking these pictures to try to look at my trichromes when I saw the black specs.
 

Tangerine_

Well-Known Member
Damn. I have some breathing problems and don't think I should mess with the dia Earth. What about just harvesting early and clipping my buds off and drying?
With that amount of damage you're going to want to wash those buds. They're not not just covered in chew marks and thrips but feces as well.
 
This is so frustrating as this is my first grow. I don't mind washing them but realistically is this something that people really do? Like would you smoke these buds if I washed them?
 

Cannabinoid Froyd

Well-Known Member
This is so frustrating as this is my first grow. I don't mind washing them but realistically is this something that people really do? Like would you smoke these buds if I washed them?
Eesh...

Idk man. Personally I wouldn't but that is my preference. It is possible that the flowers trichs protected the flower from damage but idk. I can't see the flower under a loupe/lens to really see how deep the infestation is. Use your judgment. I know that is a frustrating answer but I don't want to tell you what to do.
 
Thanks for the tips. Going to look at other budsites on other plants to see if there all this bad. Wash by submerging in clean water? I'm not gonna smoke these but going to try to salvage some for edibles I suppose. Do ladybugs eat these things? I popped a bag of ladybugs right around when I flipped my lights so I'm really unsure how this happened and so extreme.
 

Cannabinoid Froyd

Well-Known Member
I have NEVER washed bud before but I have never had that bad of an infestation either. I would assume the wash would happen with distilled water. Unsure about the ladybugs. I know they will eat aphids, mites. As far as how the thrips got there...too many variables to even suggest the point of infection.
 

Herb & Suds

Well-Known Member
I have NEVER washed bud before but I have never had that bad of an infestation either. I would assume the wash would happen with distilled water. Unsure about the ladybugs. I know they will eat aphids, mites. As far as how the thrips got there...too many variables to even suggest the point of infection.

Pest , PM same diff
 

Cannabinoid Froyd

Well-Known Member
Wor
Great now I feel bad about the condition of my bud and my fans lol. Seriously gonna try this though.
Worth the shot. I use a similar method for lettuce, basil and homegrown tobacco to wash bugs away and it works. Never thought to use it on flower.

Thanks for the video Herbs & Suds!
 
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