Vermiculite & Perlite, (no soil..) :)

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Originally Posted by Dutch Pimp

I get gnats because their eggs are in the potting soil I buy.

me and the dog kill them individually...:stoned:...or at the same time...:thumbsup:...It gives us something to do.

...that dog hates anything that flies...:glugglug:

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(Bold and blue by me)
Amen to that Dutch. I can't remember the last time I got any potting soil, anywhere, that was clean. Can I borrow your dog? My dog only likes to eat bugs that have some "meat" on them (big bumblebees or cicadas). Oh the joys of living in the south...:dance:

Pixie likes cicadas. She can't catch a bumblebee. Her favorite kind of flying bug; is those big, slow, can't fly right, bugs..:thumbsup:

I think the real reason Crabby uses v/p mix is because it makes the containers sooo much lighter. You know a lot of older people have back problems.

Nice dog dutch, sounds usefull too.

One day I may post some pics of the animals I keep. Goat, donkey, 2 mini horses, a pony, assorted horses (my grand kids) and my house dog. He's a fat (neutered) white shepard about to turn 10 and is nothing more then a plush toy that moves, sometimes.

I meant to ask you people with gnat problems from the get go...ever try sterilizing your grow soil? If it don't come outta the bag sterile (like pro-mix) maybe consider baking it or steaming it before amending and using it.:twocents:

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Originally Posted by oldmac

I meant to ask you people with gnat problems from the get go...ever try sterilizing your grow soil? If it don't come outta the bag sterile (like pro-mix) maybe consider baking it or steaming it before amending and using it.:twocents:

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I figured the gnats were less of a problem, than the smell of cowshit baking in the oven...:D

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Originally Posted by oldmac

I think the real reason Crabby uses v/p mix is because it makes the containers sooo much lighter. You know a lot of older people have back problems.

Hmmm, and here I thought you were a gentleman, sirrah. :wtf:

Nice dog dutch, sounds usefull too.

One day I may post some pics of the animals I keep. Goat, donkey, 2 mini horses, a pony, assorted horses (my grand kids) and my house dog. He's a fat (neutered) white shepard about to turn 10 and is nothing more then a plush toy that moves, sometimes.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by oldmac

I meant to ask you people with gnat problems from the get go...ever try sterilizing your grow soil? If it don't come outta the bag sterile (like pro-mix) maybe consider baking it or steaming it before amending and using it.:twocents:

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In MY kitchen, in MY oven, in MY house? NFW! But if you're offering, what time should I be there? :S2:

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Originally Posted by tristan1986

Just wondering if anyone has heard of growing in just a perlite / vermiculite mix and no soil what so ever!

I have a mate doing this with success although i would like to hear what you guys think about this? or whether any of you guys have done this before..

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It is possible to get excellent results with this mix using the hempy bucket hydro method and 3-part hydro nutrients. I use a tall, narrow container to help keep the plant stable.

I also found an awesome remedy. Manachevitz(spelling). Its concord grape wine, they love the sugars and such and the alcohol kills them. Put a dish of it near the plant that has them, and they go into it and die, works nice, smells..... not so nice.

For thrips and fungus gnats, I've had great luck with diatomaceous earth, it's a fine powder made from microscopic sea shells, so it's organic.

They can't get immune since the killing action is mechanical. As the larva move through the soil to try and become adults, the shells tear them apart.

Sprinkle it on top of the soil. You can get it at some nurseries, or better, swimming pool supply shops sell it to kill amoebas in water. You can get bigger bags cheaper at swimming pool supply places usually.

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Originally Posted by Mustelid

For thrips and fungus gnats, I've had great luck with diatomaceous earth, it's a fine powder made from microscopic sea shells, so it's organic.

They can't get immune since the killing action is mechanical. As the larva move through the soil to try and become adults, the shells tear them apart.

Sprinkle it on top of the soil. You can get it at some nurseries, or better, swimming pool supply shops sell it to kill amoebas in water. You can get bigger bags cheaper at swimming pool supply places usually.

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DO NOT USE DIATOMACEOUS EARTH FOR SWIMMING POOLS!!!! It's very toxic!! Simply breathing the dust can cause irreversible lung damage.

ONLY USE FOOD GRADE Diatomaceous Earth. From their website:

â??Both swimming pool grade and natural diatomaceous earth come from the same fossil sources but they are processed differently. The natural grades are mined, dried, ground, sled and bagged. The pool grade is chemically treated and partially melted and consequently contains crystalline silica which can be a respiratory hazard. Thus, IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT ONLY NATURAL DIATOMACEOUS EARTH BE USED FOR INSECT CONTROL. This non-crystalline silica is not a hazard as the human body apparently can dissolve it. â??

Diatomaceous Earth follow this link for even more useful info about DE.

I use food grade DE in my growing medium and also sprinkle it in and around my grow room (or anywhere else I need pest control). It works especially well at eradicating indoor ants. I just locate their point of entry and sprinkle a little magic flour (DE) and just like that POOF! they are gone. highly recommend it. We also mix a tsp or so in our smoothies every morning. It kills internal parasites and provides trace minerals as well. 1,001 uses!! lol

good for the smoke and the smoker :S5: just make sure you get FOOD GRADE, got it? :thumbsup:

~savage