Diatomaceous earth on top of coco coir

[hermananian]

Fungus gnats, basic let your medium dry out before watering. I dont have an issue with fungus gnats but it seems some people have.

 

cheers Herman

Edited February 18, 2014 by hermananian

[hermananian]

If you are living in such a humid environment, I would be focusing on adding more perlite to the mix making it drain better, and really watch your watering schedules. You can put whatever the fuck you want on top of the medium mate, it may slow gnats down, but if the media below is perfect for them (moist, rotting organic matter) then they will find a way in there imo. Work on getting rid of conditions they love imo, rather than just dumping stuff on top of your media.

 

As for silica, well I don't use hydro outside can't really comment, but indoors when I am mixing my nute solution silica brings it up a bit, but the nitrozyme I use drops the ph into the sweet zone for me, no changing ph

Thanks for the advice frank, though I am already running a 70/30 mix which outdoors drys fast. On hot days. I have to water every day if its above 30 and windy. I only get problems with humidity when it cools down late in the grow, its the night time that causes problems and early morning fog. I have never used nitrozyme so I may try some. Have you tried using the de earth ? I dont have a fungus gnat problem probably because, growing outside things dry right out, which they don't like. My reason for trying de is the convenience of not having to add silica everytime I water. 

 

Cheers Herman

[Frank Reynolds]

Imo mate, I'd be ditching the hydro outdoors, then you dont have to worry about things as much, particularly adding silica, as most slow release ferts I use have it added!

[obliterated]

Ive seen a lot of people that treat coco like soil for some reason... *shakes head* and let it dry out which dehydrates the top layer thus killing the gnat larvae.
Easy way to take out the gnat population, not so good for the coco buffering.

I used to use freshly crushed Cinnamon and sprinkle over the top and water through, cinnamon being an anti fungal and killing the food that the gnat larvae eat thus starving the larvae and killing the cycle. Once again, at the cost of beneficial bacteria in your medium.

Now i have perfect success using a few drops of pure tea tree oil in an atomised mister/perfume bottle.
I only have to use a very small amount as it is a natural antifungal like cinnamon but little to no damage to bennies, but more importantly a natural pesticide.
The flying gnats wont go near the top layer as it repels them and the larvae die before they make the surface.

Cheap and easy, do it once in the begining of transplant and thats it

Peace.
 

[spiralise]

Thought i would share my little secret to prevent the larvae from infesting the coco.

 

When I transfer my clone blocks into larger pots. I get a few packs of the super sized chux super wipes. I layer it a few layers thick all over the top of the pot. I tuck the edges down with whatever is it hand and wrap it around the base of the clone with a small rubber band with enough stretch so as not to starngle the cambrium during growth.

 

 This provides a physical barrier where the gnats can not lay eggs in the medium... and if they manage to sneak a few in - the larvae cannot make it up and out. The best thing about it is that it is still breathable and dries out even quicker than the coco so it in no way damages the rootzone and still allows transpiration of oxygen.

 

It really works well, I can't reccomend it enough.

 

( edit ) it also seems to spread the water better across the top of the medium compared to when a ring or horshoe feeder drips directly on top of the coco

Edited May 31, 2014 by spiralise

[Frank Reynolds]

I'm just gonna add this here again, my best advice is letting the plants go another day or two before watering Let that top layer of medium dry out!

[spiralise]

Does that make the medium hydrophobic Frank ? And how often do you have to do it to stop a following reinfestation ? Sounds easier than using chux.

[Frank Reynolds]

Coco doesn't become hydrophobic when dry.

 

Following a reinfestation, You may need a longer dry period. But if you get on top of your watering regimes before big infestations you won't have a problem!!