school me on fungus gnats

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tnsigger

Registered:1443410200
Posts: 17

Posted 1447397330	Reply with quote #1

I have 2 fig trees I bought this year from an on line nursery and they came in 4" pots so I re-potted them in 2 gallon size pots with compost and potting soil and they have been outside in those pots in partial sun and shade for a month or more an now I've brought them in my shop for winter so what's all this info on gnats. Do they bother potted trees or just cuttings making new trees. My ordered trees came about 3' tall and I haven't noticed any gnats ect but I could have easily missed them I guess. So I need info on these critters I guess. All info is appreciated as I'm a newbie to growing figs. Also the 2 trees I have in my shop appear to be starting to go into dormancy for winter and look OK to me I will keep a check on them for water and I know they don't require much water in dormancy in winter so. School me guys and gals on fungus gnats and how to avoid them.

Smungung

Registered:1441129607
Posts: 440

Posted 1447415338	Reply with quote #2

they are really small really annoying little black insects that come out of the soil and they just fly around for a couple of day then lay eggs in the sa oil fly around and repeat. That's all I know about them I'm sure there's many more articles on google about it. __________________ Matthew Mei Age:15 Zone 6A Secaucus, New Jersey Aquarist any questions pertaining to fish shoot me a message always willing to help! :) Gardener Fisherman

nycfig

Registered:1380768118
Posts: 886

Posted 1447417209	Reply with quote #3

Will your shop be cool for the winter? Gnats really won't be a problem if they're not in your living area. They probably won't appear if you're keeping your soil on the dry side during dormancy. Fungus gnats seem to appear when your potting medium is on the moist side. The larvae chew on fine roots of plants so they may pose a problem to the young ones. They're more of an annoyance than anything else. The best way to try and avoid them is to keep your potting mix on the dry side. The'll still appear but will be easier to control. Get yourself some 'sticky yellow traps'. They're inexpensive and will give you a gauge of the level of infestation, if any. If you do get an infestation, there's a ton of info available on this forum to help. __________________ Danny NYC Z7a It's all about the figs! Facebook: NYCfigs Buying Fig Trees and Cuttings From the Internet

jdsfrance

Registered:1376988473
Posts: 2,591

Posted 1447439587	Reply with quote #4

Hi tnsigger, As all insects, when the temps cool down, you don't see them anymore. If your shop is cold (temps under 10°c /50°F) , you're safe. The tree are dormant. Are you planning to keep them dormant, or to wake them up ? If you get your trees growing (temps above 20°c/ 68°F) , then you'll be hunting gnats, I guess ... __________________ ------------------------ Climate from -25°C to + 35°C Only cold hardy figtrees can make it here

musillid

Registered:1327758167
Posts: 1,507

Posted 1447506498	Reply with quote #5

I control indoor populations with a pot of sundews nearby. I now have some fat, healthy sundews. __________________ Dale non compost mentis in Zone 6a

dkirtexas

Registered:1341345900
Posts: 1,330

Posted 1447507058	Reply with quote #6

A well discussed topic, the forum database is full of prior threads, the search function is a great tool. Happy reading. __________________ Thx, glad to be here Danny K "EL CAZADOR DE HIGO" Waskom Tx Zone 7B/8 Wish list: anything anyone wants me to have. LSU RED. Any LSU fig.

snaglpus

Registered:1244258188
Posts: 4,072

Posted 1447508259	Reply with quote #7

I agree with Danny. There are expert instructions from a lot of old guys and gals on that subject . Just click search, choose subject only and BAM, You have your answer. Search is a powerful tool. Plus this forum has been swamped with lots of newbies to figs. Good luck. __________________ Dennis Charlotte, North Carolina/Zone 8a

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