Hi all!
I’m looking for confirmation of the pests on my outdoor Sour Diesel plant, and best practices to eliminate them organically. I’m located in CA, Zone 9b.
I have some bugs, which I believe are Aphids, and some type of little grub on the underside of the leaves (pics below). The plant is around 3-4 weeks into flower. I’ve also found some small grubs hiding here and there on the underside of leaves a well (pics below). I really want to try and be as proactive as I can with these things. I’ve used a diluted solution of water and Peppermint Dr. Bronners and I don’t feel it’s doing a whole lot to help. These what I believe to be Aphids, haven’t taken over the plant by any means, but I definitely want to nip that in the bud as soon as possible, no pun intended. One last thing, I do plan on washing my flower after harvest.
So my questions are:
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Can we confirm that these are Aphids?
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If Aphids, can someone recommend an organic solution? I have no problem going to my local nursery and purchasing a whole bunch of Lady Bugs to release on the plant.
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What type of grub like bug is in the photos, and how do I treat them? For what it’s worth, they’re relatively easy to spot, but don’t want them getting into the flower.
Anything else anyone cares to add for the sake of conversation is great. Hope eveyone’s gardens are thriving!
Thanks!
Look like Ahids to me I had them earlier this yr. Looks like they have been there for a bit.
I agree, I just wanted to see how others would weigh in.
Anybody seen the larvae looking critters? I’ve only found them on the underside of leaves, and haven’t noticed any really going after the flowers so far.
I has white flies eggs thst looked similar. @Caligurl would probably know.
Either way, I’d be soaking them in Deadbug!
Definitely aphids on those leaves!
Edit: The grubs look kind of like june beetle grubs… not many that are dark like that… japanese beetle grubs are more 2-tones. Either way, they are up to no good!
Yeah, no doubt that they’re up to no good. I’m going to get a bunch of Ladybugs tomorrow and hope they can help me out a bit.
Well, ladybug larvae eat more than the actual bug itself does. I use a very safe product called PureCrop1. You can use it up to the day of harvest.
Looks like Lepidoptera aka bagworm
Thanks for all the replies! I had a busy weekend so just getting back to this now.
Ilearned that the larvae are on this particular plant are Hoverfly larvae. Guess what Hoverfly larvae LOVE to eat? Aphids! And, based on my research, these larvae don’t eat plant material.
Over the weekend I went and bought a container of Ladybugs and turned them loose on the plant last night. The ones that stuck around have eaten a noticeable number of aphids which is great news. I’ll keep buying Ladybugs as long as I have aphids on this particular plant as I really want to avoid any type of spray one month into flower.
I’ll update again soon!
You can use organic approved sprays without affecting the buds/taste like, Purecrop1, Dr Zymes, or Beauveria Bassiana
Thanks for the recs @Budbrother @Caligurl ! I read up on the products listed and I think I’ll try the PC1. I’ll report back once I get it applied and se how it works to get rid of these aphids!
Update: Between several hundred Ladybugs two weeks ago, and several applications of PC1m, the Sour Diesel barely has any Aphids on it anymore. I also have some Ladybug Larvae now as well!
Thanks for the rec on the PureCrop1 @Caligurl and @Budbrother!
Wonderful news. I am looking forward to your updates and harvest. Got any pic?
Here are the Three Sisters
Sour Diesel
Dream Queen
OG Kush x Purest Indica
Looks good
Canabalizing useless leaves. To me it looks like you’re showin end wk1 to start of wk2 if I were counting.
