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prepping new soil for bugs question

cyberaktif

cyberaktif

New member
Hello everyone,
I think i'm bringing in thrips from bagged soil I get from the local growers co-op. What does people do with their soil in prepping for bugs? Should I do a soil drench a few weeks before transplanting? Tired of these pesty little guys. I use a soil-less medium, sunshine mix LC1. It has Sphagnum peat moss, perlite, limestone.
 
I add 3 things to the soil for bugs-they are solids


Neem cake for 5 gal= 60g/2oz (also has an N value of 4-5)

Bti-bits for 5gal= 15g/1 tablespoon (Misquito bits)

Diatomaceous Earth @ 60-75g topdusted
 
how often do you apply the DE? Can this be used during flower? Also...does this get mixed in with your soil or just a top dressing?
 
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It's a top dress and I would think you can use it during flower. It's just small sharp, jagged crystals the bugs don't like to crawl on plus a dehydration effect too.
 
cyberaktif, When I first make the soil mixture- it sets for awhile, undistrubed and I topdress with DE.
Once its wet etc - it no longer deters bugs but has Si in it- which is good for the growing plant.
Once the grow is underway, it can be applied for insect control in all stages of growth/bloom! as RosettaStoned, mentions.
I prefer to use gnatnix as topdress once in flower.
 
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I usually use an inch of sand as a top dressing on my pots.Keeps lots o stuff away. Cinnamon also works well on the soil and as a spray if there on plants.
 
I will look into all these items. I had a bottle of "captain jack's deadbug" spray which has spinosad in it. That worked really well. I then bought some "monterey insect gaarden spray" and sprayed my plants. I should have read the destructions because my plants were as brown as brown could be. Come to find out it was full strength and didn't know i had to dilute. Brought them ladies right back to good health and flowered them.
 
cyberaktif, yes- pour water/nutes over gnatnix, as it allows for proper drying of the top portion of soil and allowing more oxygen to the roots. - to deter bugs.
Mulch keeps the soil too moist which in turn-attracts more pests.
 
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