A question from a fellow grower:
I want to know the cheapest way to keep pest off my plants while growing
outside. I’ve put salt around them due to slugs and snails but I notice
some times like gnat like bugs flying around it can you help me with
this issue
Salt’s not good for your soil.
Fabric softener sheets are pretty cheap effective insect repellents. A box of 100 generic store brand dryer sheets is like $1. I keep a couple hung up just outside my balcony door just to cut down on the bugs flying into my apartment whenever I open the door. It works. I don’t know if it’ll help with slugs but maybe.
Does that work for outside growing as well? I don’t put the salt in my llants, I walked outside one night and a slug was in my plant. I have put all my plants on my back porch and put a circle of salt around it. Any ways to keep my plants from dying would help.
I don’t see why it wouldn’t. If you have some just place a few around your plants where they won’t blow away or get wet and see how it goes.
I just did a search and the internet is mixed on whether this actually works but in my experience it does.
I will try that but anything on other insects that may prey on my plants?
On another thread, I think it was Lakewood, recommended using DE (diatomaceous earth) to get rid of those little pests. I just bought a bag of it at Lowe’s for $7. It’s a white powder. Something was eating my baby leaves so I just powdered the entire area with it. Hope it works!
Yes! We love food grade DE as an insect repellent and control. Totally non-toxic, don’t breath the fine dust though, and it is totally safe to have watered into your soil, it won’t hurt the roots or plant at all and even will kill some types of bugs in the soil.
This is supposed to be a purp plant I’ve noticed a purple stem does that make it this type of plant. Also 1 of my leaves has a brown spot should I be concerned
Also this is another plant that’s growing with my others it seems to be smaller then the other and when will more buds come
Purple stems are often a sign of a magnesium deficiency, this can be caused by over-watering, pH issues, or a just plain magnesium nutrient deficiency. This can be caused by ingredients in the media, like coco coir, coco coir needs extra magnesium supplemented because it can trap and lock away some magnesium in the feed or soil.
In a purple strain, I might not worry too much as long as the rest of the plant looks healthy, but the spot worries me, this too can be caused bu a pH issue or other nutrient deficiency.
U can use egg shells around perimeter of plants too plus it’s good for calcium
Diatomaceous Earth, Food Grade CODEX. awesome stuff. NBot to be confused with swimming pool DE.
Food Grade CODEX DE is safe to ingest for Humans and Animals, have a ton of minerals, and kill and pest with a soft endo-skeleton, by scratching the pest, causing it to dehydrate, and die. Peace
Was wondering if you had any experience with Sal bugs in bottom of container holes ( growing outside )
Bugs look like armadillos. Sorry I am not familiar w Nat flies. I suspect they pose little threat. Not positive though.
can you post a pict of your sal bugs ???
Thanks for sharing this suggestion to keep pest off.
A month later most of my baby plant died from snail and slug, son of b@&$@#%!! I believe the most effective way is hanging pots of tray in the air. So them B@&$#%^*!! Don’t get to them.
Does de work on spider mites?
Copper wire around the base of your plant will keep slugs away. I just wrap it around the top of my pots and never have had them again. A saucer dish with beer will also attract and then they drown in it.
