Quote Originally Posted by rebelbhoy
Hey Weezard

My camera is a bit poor but i could try get some pics up.
I have deffo got some small black flies around my soil.
I can see them. I have found 2 yellow/white ones too.
After inspection yesterday that`s when i spotted a red ant like bug on the main stock just above the soil.

The black ones sound like fungus gnats;
A No-pest-strip will wipe the adults out, and if you cover the soil surface they can't continue to lay eggs and the existing larvae can't hatch new flies.
Tulip growers cover the soil with an inch or so of clean sand.

That can be messy during transplants.
I use reflectix insulation on mine, but paper plates will work jus' fine.
[attachment=o236593]

[attachment=o236594]
you could use several sheets of newspaper in a pinch

Going in to the 3rd week of flower in a bit of a panic now.
I will try get some pics up as soon as i can.


Just had a little look and i am finding more very small yellow/white looking flies on the underside of the leaf ( mostly lower leaf )
WTF?
I had a grow going for about a year last time and never seen one bug.
Now i seem infested.
Tell me about it!
This has been a buggy year for the Island.

Reach in to the stalk and give the plant a little shake.
If them white guys take wing, they are prolly Whitefly.
Get some "yellow sticky traps" for the adults and a pyrethrium/rotenone drench for the soil.

If they stay put, get a glass and look closer.
They might be aphid husks.
If the critter on the stalk was an ant, it's a good bet that you have aphids. (ant cattle)
Ants bring them to feed on your plants then milk them for their honeydew poo.
Right little ranchers, dem guys.

A ring of "tanglefoot" just above the root will stymie the "paniolo" ants.
There are also flying aphids that don't need ants, (feral cattle).
It's a wonder we ever harvest a single bud.

I suggest that you obtain a 10X or up magnifying glass.
You will need a good lens to spot the borg and it will help to determine optimum harvest time as well.
Belongs on every serious growers list of tools.
You can find the eyeclops 100X microscope camera for under $40 USD and it takes pictures like this;
[attachment=o236617]

No panic necessary. Just show no mercy.

Aloha,
Wee 'zard