I was transplanting a few plants in my tent today and noticed two of my plants looking a bit sickly. Took a better look and one seems to have some white-ish spots on the leaves. I plucked a leaf and put it under my scope. Looks like tiny white circle/stars on the leaves. They’re not moving, so I don’t think they’re bugs. I DID notice some super tiny fly looking things crawling in the plant’s soil, Probably fungus gnats, so I’m planning to use DE on them to see if that helps. I also read somebody was using Hydrogen Peroxide in their water to get rid of the pests as well. I’m planning to try both unless you fine folks here can identify the spots. Some more info…
Plants are ILGM Girls Scout Cookie Extreme photos (Plants are about 2+ months into veg)
Using Fox Farms Ocean Forest mixed with extra worm castings
18-6 lighting
5 X 5 Tent
Temps at 78-80 degrees, RH at 73-75%
I’m on well water straight from the ground, PH’d to 6.5
HLG 550 V3 light about 2 feet from tops
Liquid Organic Nutes from Agro-Thrive
AT the moment, it’s only the two plants I mentioned. I have 5 GSCE, 3 of which I transplanted into 5gallon fabric pots. The two sick ones are the same seeds, but about a month younger. They were sprouted in used soil I refurbished with fresh before putting into the pots. That may be what my problem is.
Just hoping someone here has seen what’s going on and can offer a solution to make them happy again.
Update… I guess this IS a bug. I plucked another leaf and looked under my scope. Spotted some tiny spider looking bugs. Are these the Spider Mites I’ve heard mentioned by others? If so, I think I read you spray the leaves with water/hydrogen peroxide mix to wipe them out?
I had an inkling Spider Mites were the issue once I spotted them. SO far, they seem to only be on two plants. I’d love to hear about the spray ideas your mentioned. I’m going to sprinkle some DE on the soil for the gnats I spotted. Thinking about a spray botte with water and a teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide to spray the mites. I read someplace (probably here) that the mite explode on contact with it. Definitely interested in any other solutions you’d care to share. I sure appreciate it!
Yes. They have comeback each indoor grow for me although I sanitize everything thoroughly between each grow and also treat the house plants periodically.
IPM, treat for them regardless. If you have houseplants as I do, inspect them too. You can see how tiny, your could easily drag them back in on your arms, shirt etc.
Exactly! Every house plant gets treated with mosquito bits and sprayed with mite killer of some sort. Hate the buggers. I used to have orchids and lost most to mealy bugs.
Thank you everyone. I mixed up a bottle of water and hydrogen peroxide with a few drops of dish soap and sprayed all my plants. Going to put down some DE also after they dry. Will hit the store tomorrow in search of the Captain Jacks. Got a Lowe’s nearby. Looks like they carry it. I’m going to go on the warpath next few days and wipe these guys out. Thanks once again for the advice!
While there grab Mosquito Dunks, you’ll want them shortly when the Fungus Gnats come to visit and they always stay too long, like cousin Mike and his weird GF.
I was using the sticky traps for the gnats, Seemed to do a fine job until now. I think I may have brought this on myself when I re-used some soil I had when I moved the two effected plants into bigger pots. Lesson learned.
I would recommend (in my opinion) to cut the the affected leaves, bag them, and trash them. I just did that on my four plants and they look so naked! I used up my first bottle of ready to use CJDB quickly so you may want to invest in the concentrate and dilute it. Also when you spray get the undersides, soil surface, bags, walls etc. Wear gloves.
Gnats require 2 attacks, stickys great for adults…BTI(dunks/bits) for larvae.
And yep reusing soil with larvae in it, doesn’t help, last few bags of HF I’ve gotten from nursery had the basturds in it. So.
