garden_whisperer
1353347580
Posted 1476397993
Reply with quote #1
Its almost fall and winter time which means another wonderful time rooting cuttings. I myself try to do a couple hundred. I know some folks do more while some do less.
Woodville
1476319530
Posted 1476401163
Reply with quote #2
Hey I'm new to the forum, sand definitely works to keep the fungus gnat away. I've never tried with figs, but with other plants.
ADelmanto
1359774201
Posted 1476407441
Reply with quote #3
Gnats may be a regional problem. I'm not sure. It has just not been an issue for me. I start cuttings in coir and pot up with ProMix HP and pine bark fines 50/50. Last winter I installed grow lights and grew in a closet for 2 months before I could transfer them outside. I think it may be the potting soil that people use that already has the gnats in it. Stick with the Pro Mix HP and you may be fine.
https://www.facebook.com/From-The-Ground-Up-403313193085649/
DomGardens
1475212155
Posted 1476422189
Reply with quote #4
I brought my 2 foot Genovese basil plant in for the winter, my wife keeps asking where the gnats are coming from but she hasn't figured it out yet. "You Bet Your Garden" on WHYY and Mike McGrath recommended soilless potting mix to deal with the pests.
Dom
pverdes3
1470833006
Posted 1476428206
Reply with quote #5
I have read on another thread that a very diluted solution of hydrogen peroxide kills the eggs or somehow breaks their breeding cycle. The kind of peroxide you put into cuts to clean them out and disinfect. May be worth trying as its cheap.
Gabriel - Hungary - zone 6b/7a Wish list: Izbat an Naj, Ice Crystal, Tashkent
Woodville
1476319530
Posted 1476433495
Reply with quote #6
Quote:
Originally Posted by
DomGardens I brought my 2 foot Genovese basil plant in for the winter, my wife keeps asking where the gnats are coming from but she hasn't figured it out yet.
Last week I called
"You Bet Your Garden" on WHYY and Mike McGrath recommended soilless potting mix to deal with the pests.
Steve, how did you apply the sand?
Dom
VeryNew2Figs
1441488407
Posted 1476449359
Reply with quote #7
I'm thinking if you sterilize the potting soil or compost that would kill the baddies. It would kill the goodies too, but you can add your amendments when the plants start to grow.
Cheryl Brunswick, Kadota, Ischia Green, Desert King, Osborne Prolific (slow but steady), Malta Black, Violette de Bordeaux, Texas Everbearing, Beall, White Adriatic, Nolo Pink Eyed Lady.Rooting: ioletta Bayernfeing, Marseilles Black VS , Celeste.
rafaelissimmo
1335639347
Posted 1476462813
· Edited
Reply with quote #8
I've never seen a gnat in 4 years of rooting in perlite with coir or peat mix here in the northeast. Cloners are also gnat proof. Gnats tend to proliferate in spring in my greenhouse, but even there they don't pose much of a threat to established trees.
garden_whisperer
1353347580
Posted 1476463414
Reply with quote #9
Gnatrol is the best stuff I have found and tried just about everything. Haven't done a completely soilless medium. Wouldn't know where to start.
don_sanders
1429304713
Posted 1476469123
Reply with quote #10
Hydrogen peroxide has been the cheapest and most effective for me. Gnatrol was good. Mosquito dunks ineffective.
garden_whisperer
1353347580
Posted 1476469432
Reply with quote #11
I'm thinking the right rooting mix low on organic matter, fast drainage along with gnatrol would work great. But I also don't want to have to water 300 cuttings 3 times a day
cjccmc
1469609201
Posted 1476470520
Reply with quote #12
I had gnats in a premium seed starting mix I used to root cuttings last winter. I know they came in the bag. Since I only work small quantities I microwave my potting soil to about 180 F before using to root cuttings.
Conrad , SoCal zone 10
MastiffGuy
1466732935
Posted 1476470922
Reply with quote #13
I add an inch of perlite on top of my mix. It is my go to method. I'm also finding Hydrogen Peroxide is a kind of cutting cure all.
MyDogMike
1473259579
Posted 1476707012
Reply with quote #14
I'm using a mix of about 3/4 vermiculite to 1/4 perlite and it seems to be working. Not sure what my plan is IF I get some good rooting going on.
haslamhulme
1467664052
Posted 1476822535
Reply with quote #15
I've tried vermiculite,have to be careful with that stuff as it can hold a LOT of moisture,100% vermiculite seems to be good for rooting but not longevity,it's killed my cuttings after rooting and looking great because I had to start giving a dilute fertiliser and it just held on to too much moisture,maybe a mix with perlite would work to counteract the water retention issue?,may have to experiment some more when I get my hands on some expendable cuttings(unknowns)
