gnats are coming back, SoCal

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greenfig

Registered:1359790036
Posts: 3,182

Posted 1414710156	Reply with quote #1

While watering the plants today outside, I noticed the gnats flying around. I have not seen them for the entire summer and early fall in those numbers. This is in Los Angeles, zone 10a. It is getting cooler and maybe that’s what they like since it is getting windier as well and they can hide from it. I hope my newly rooted figs can make it before a massive attack. __________________ wish list: Violeta, Calderona. USDA z 10a, SoCal

Grasa

Registered:1347083219
Posts: 1,819

Posted 1414710396	Reply with quote #2

I hate them! __________________ Grasa Seattle, WA

tylerj

Registered:1347291507
Posts: 646

Posted 1414710882	Reply with quote #3

Igor, These will work for up to 1 gallon pots.... nylon kneehighs twist tied around the cutting. 100% gnat proof..... I haven't lost a cutting to gnats since last year when I started using them. Tyler __________________ London, Ontario zone 6a Wish List: Martinenca Rimada, Genovese Nero AF, Galicia Negra, Brooklyn White

greenfig

Registered:1359790036
Posts: 3,182

Posted 1414711247	Reply with quote #4

Tyler, Could you take a photo closer so I can see what you do around the stem, please? I might do that, hate to see them dying. __________________ wish list: Violeta, Calderona. USDA z 10a, SoCal

greenfig

Registered:1359790036
Posts: 3,182

Posted 1414711475 · Edited	Reply with quote #5

Geez… I checked Amazon for those nylon knee-highs and discovered that they come in different sizes, colors, sheerness, ultra-sherness, etc… What a zoo :) Tyler what size is best for 1 gal pots? Other features? How do you water the plants wrapped in them? __________________ wish list: Violeta, Calderona. USDA z 10a, SoCal

nycfig

Registered:1380768118
Posts: 884

Posted 1414713212	Reply with quote #6

Bought mine in Target. Cheap ones. I think they came 4 to a pack. Don't remember if they were Queen size or XL. They work great! Trying to find larger ones for 2 gal. pots. __________________ Danny NYC Z7a It's all about the figs! Facebook: NYCfigs Buying Fig Trees and Cuttings From the Internet

greenfig

Registered:1359790036
Posts: 3,182

Posted 1414713711	Reply with quote #7

Danny, Thanks for the photo. Are those the knee-highs or Ankle High socks? __________________ wish list: Violeta, Calderona. USDA z 10a, SoCal

tylerj

Registered:1347291507
Posts: 646

Posted 1414713924	Reply with quote #8

I bought a box of 10 pair... queen size at walmart for less than 10 bucks I think?? Igor I just wrap the opening of the stocking around the cutting then secure it with a twist tie or wire. I water buy dipping the bottom couple inches of the pot in a pail of water for a few seconds... which I think is better for it anyways. If you try to water from the top it will just run off. __________________ London, Ontario zone 6a Wish List: Martinenca Rimada, Genovese Nero AF, Galicia Negra, Brooklyn White

nycfig

Registered:1380768118
Posts: 884

Posted 1414715002	Reply with quote #9

Igor - You're welcome. Tyler turned me on to the idea. They're knee-highs. __________________ Danny NYC Z7a It's all about the figs! Facebook: NYCfigs Buying Fig Trees and Cuttings From the Internet

cyberfarmer

Registered:1293483474
Posts: 544

Posted 1414715716	Reply with quote #10

I've been using the little FootSox from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=foot+sox They are small and they only cover the top opening of my cups (not the holes in the bottom). I have not had any gnats in my humidity bin until a couple days ago. My son was trying to root some tomato cuttings and he stuck his two cups full of potting soil (sans sox) in the bin. They attracted gnats within 24 hours. I removed them and the gnats disappeared with them. They did not infect the other cups that were covered. My drain holes are on the bottoms of the cups, so maybe they can't get in there anyway. __________________ Paul the Fig Tree Destroyer in Fallbrook, CA (Zone 10A )

tylerj

Registered:1347291507
Posts: 646

Posted 1414716062 · Edited	Reply with quote #11

Paul, Before I used the nylons I tried 1" of sand on the top of pots. That seemed to work for the top somewhat (though I could still watch the gnats running around on the sand which I didn't like) but they did find their way under the pots into the openings. The pots usually have little plastic stand offs just enough for them to fit under. So I'd keep an eye out. Especially after you take it out of the humidity bin. edit... oh you said cups which obviously would sit flat on the bottom. I think the nylons are a good idea once you pot them up though. Tyler __________________ London, Ontario zone 6a Wish List: Martinenca Rimada, Genovese Nero AF, Galicia Negra, Brooklyn White

cyberfarmer

Registered:1293483474
Posts: 544

Posted 1414716770	Reply with quote #12

Yes, in this case, they are flat bottomed sitting on flat surface. Once I go to soil, I am usually outdoors (where I have never had a gnat problem). However, since I have some cuttings in cups now and I'm starting another batch of cuttings tonight, I think I'm going to be raising figs indoor this winter. __________________ Paul the Fig Tree Destroyer in Fallbrook, CA (Zone 10A )

greenfig

Registered:1359790036
Posts: 3,182

Posted 1414717034	Reply with quote #13

Paul, What I saw was outdoor, not inside the house. __________________ wish list: Violeta, Calderona. USDA z 10a, SoCal

cyberfarmer

Registered:1293483474
Posts: 544

Posted 1414728410	Reply with quote #14

Quote: Originally Posted by greenfig Paul, What I saw was outdoor, not inside the house. I hope I don't get a chance to see that. I assumed that being indoors, the gnats bred out of control due to lack of predators that might otherwise be present outdoors. Maybe I can train the squirrels, rabbits, gophers, moles, voles and birds to catch the gnats. __________________ Paul the Fig Tree Destroyer in Fallbrook, CA (Zone 10A )

garden_whisperer

Registered:1353347580
Posts: 1,613

Posted 1414732807	Reply with quote #15

Gnatrol works good. I did the panty Jose thing a couple of years ago and it worked good but some winters I have close to 1000 plants. Not all figs. __________________ Dave Zone 6b Illinois "Be the change you wish to see in the world"

greenfig

Registered:1359790036
Posts: 3,182

Posted 1414740225	Reply with quote #16

Quote: Originally Posted by garden_whisperer Gnatrol works good. I did the panty Jose thing a couple of years ago and it worked good but some winters I have close to 1000 plants. Not all figs. Dave, How often do you apply Gnatrol? __________________ wish list: Violeta, Calderona. USDA z 10a, SoCal

garden_whisperer

Registered:1353347580
Posts: 1,613

Posted 1414741655	Reply with quote #17

Once I see gnats I water with gnatrol once a week. Not if the soil is to wet But I treated 2 days ago for the first time this year. No more gnats __________________ Dave Zone 6b Illinois "Be the change you wish to see in the world"

jdsfrance

Registered:1376988473
Posts: 2,591

Posted 1414747973	Reply with quote #18

Hi greenfig, Are the pots grouped and shading each other ? Gnats don"t like sun. If you can get enough space around each pot so that the sun can hit all the pots that should take care of the gnats. Of course if your trees are softy ... that could kill the plants ... Do you have standing water under the pots ? Try to avoid that . __________________ ------------------------ Climate from -25°C to + 35°C Only cold hardy figtrees can make it here

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