well i would say fungus gnats, but they don't do damage to the plants. more than likely it's the extra moisture that is keeping the nasties around. make sure to let your pot complelty dry out before watering.

also, the pot under the plant is not a good idea. first off, it attacts bugs (as you've figured out). secondly, cannabis likes wet/dry cycles. you can suffocate the roots if you are constantly giving them water. the roots need oxygen.

you can try to put a paper plate or piece of paper over your soil so bugs can't get to it. sand works and so does perlite too.

there's no need for the diatomaceous earth. thrips lay the larvae on the leafs and then they drop to the soil to pupate, by the way. it's the thrip larvae that do the most damage to your plant. they look like little grains of rice.

do you see any type of larvae or anything?


-shake
headshake Reviewed by headshake on . Brown spots and holes in lower leaves. Hi all! I am a first time grower and I have one now month old Papaya under CFL`s. During last few days Ive noticed how the lower leaves have developed brown spots which later become holes ( not always ) , but pretty often. The top leaves look fine. Heres a pic I took yesterday. Now this leave is a lot worse. The edges are quite brown and dry. I`ve seen some flying insects flylike chilling in the branches , but I dont think they can do this. I think its ether PH or over fert problem. I have Rating: 5