Beneficial Bacteria

[Joey Genovese]

Ok so I've had some major problems growing indoors regarding fungus gnats and Pythium. I made the big mistake of having a compost bin outside that was moist and riddled with these bastards! Anyway I lost an entire crop due to them! After endless research I found that fungus gnats and more importantly Pythium do not like the friendly bacteria Bacillus Thuringiensis Israelensis. However this is not available (to my knowledge) in Australia. Bacillus Thuringiesis var. Kurstaki is available in Bunnings. I am experimenting with this product on the compost heap (I'll keep you all posted). Now that I have eliminated the fungus gnats from the grow room I want to add a preventative to ensure that the plants always remain healthy, I have tried an expensive product from the hydro shop called Great White, I had no luck with this regarding Pythium. My question is has anyone tried this product I found in Bunnings, please see photo attached. I am currently trying it, and so far so good, I'll keep you all posted on this also.

[Stix87]

Hey I use that in coco but I did not get rid of or even control the fungus gnats if you want to kill there larve which lays a few cm under the surface in the medium you need to use trio bac from symbiot use as drench and control spray smells like spicy curry powder. Also use yellow sticky traps as much as you can to catch the adults. Ps I think go go juice brings out a nice flavour and better aroma in the buds good luck

[Frank Reynolds]

by the sounds of your problems it sounds like you keep the medium far too wet first of all.

 

As stix said though, trichoderma sp. will be your best bet, its very aggressive and feeds off of 'bad' fungi. Most myco mixes for hydro will ahve this in it, although it isnt a mycchorizaeh fungi but thats another story.

 

 

Anyway i'd be checking ya watering schedule first and foremost.

[Joey Genovese]

Thanks guys, your right I used to grow in straight perlite. These problems started when I was growing in perlite/coco. Now I have gone back to straight perlite as well as using the beneficial bacteria. They other option was to use hydrogen peroxide but I didn't want to go done that path. Thanks for your advice, greatly appreciated.

[itchybromusic]

Hey Joey

http://goodbugshop.com.au/zencart/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=46

 

beneficial nematodes do a good job on gnats , however i have no idea how or if

they will work in perlite , i would also suggest a top dress with neem meal but again 

your in perlite 

But i think the best bet would be EM-1 which you can buy off the shelf here http://www.livingapartment.com.au/Products/Organic-Fertiliser-and-Growing-Medium/Probiotic-Living-Beneficial-Micro-Organisms-500ml

you could also make this your self at home very cheaply 

 

EM can work well considering they are anaerobic beneficials , so if you over water & create an anaerobic condition you are also adding beneficials that will thrive in that condition & take control 

 

def agree with your thinking the bigger the consortium of beneficials the & healthier plant , i would also look into essential oils as part of an IPM , Rosemary, Eucalyptus, Lemongrass, Thyme, Clover & Ginger

keep in mind they are oils no spraying with lights on or only spraying in the evening once the suns down, 

 

I'm sorry Joey but i've never grown in perlite or coco just soil good luck mate

[Joey Genovese]

Hey Joey

http://goodbugshop.com.au/zencart/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=46

 

beneficial nematodes do a good job on gnats , however i have no idea how or if

they will work in perlite , i would also suggest a top dress with neem meal but again

your in perlite

But i think the best bet would be EM-1 which you can buy off the shelf here http://www.livingapartment.com.au/Products/Organic-Fertiliser-and-Growing-Medium/Probiotic-Living-Beneficial-Micro-Organisms-500ml

you could also make this your self at home very cheaply

 

EM can work well considering they are anaerobic beneficials , so if you over water & create an anaerobic condition you are also adding beneficials that will thrive in that condition & take control

 

def agree with your thinking the bigger the consortium of beneficials the & healthier plant , i would also look into essential oils as part of an IPM , Rosemary, Eucalyptus, Lemongrass, Thyme, Clover & Ginger

keep in mind they are oils no spraying with lights on or only spraying in the evening once the suns down,

 

I'm sorry Joey but i've never grown in perlite or coco just soil good luck mate

Awesome information, will def do some research on EM-1. Thanks mate, greatly appreciated!

[Gumby1]

Put a layer of perlite or sand on top of your pots.. As the try to crawl through it.. They rip them selves apart.

 

simple, easy and natural.. Won't eliminate them all.. But it helps.

 

best of luck.

[_Puff_Tough_]

Add diatomaceous earth to your medium before planting anything. few inches of perlite on top of the pots and pest strips around the base of the plants and near any light sources. After 3 weeks of having planted anything into the fresh medium check the first inch or so of the medium for any larvae, also check the pest strips for any adults. If necessary - Neem applied at double rate on every 6th day. Dry medium out every 9th day or 10th day or so, depending on heat for 2 days total..... watch for any major wilting during this process; this is the key to sufficiently drying out the medium. Afterwards give them 1.3x of your current nutrient solution application rate the feed after the drying of the medium. And the following feed you should apply some BT. Baccillus thuriengensis, larvae abruptly die and the population becomes extinct after a month of the steps detailed above. Never overwater!

 

Preventative of organic chilli/capsaicin spray on the perliteScarid 10 can be sprayed onto the pots before you fill it with your grow medium. Neem has surfactant properties, a drop of dishwashing liquid doesnt hurt though.

 

If you follow what i have suggested to a t you will NOT have gnat issues. I never do. Its a noob problem. Takes a little to get accustomised with. Research the larval cycle of fungas gnats.

 

end of story. Now give me some rep points if you find this useful, i'd like to be around a firm zero rep points.

 

lates

Edited September 5, 2015 by _Puff_Tough_

[crow]

... Now give me some rep points if you find this useful, i'd like to be around a firm zero rep points.

 

lates

Ahhh! now I understand the flurry of posts

rep given.  you've got a way to go yet though

[_Puff_Tough_]

Yeah, i'm aiming for zero. I'd be happy with zero.