Does flushing get rid of good, helpful bacteria?

[maximan22]

Hi all you awesome people!

I have a problem with gnats, almost an infestation and they all get stuck in the buds, so I got some Nemotodes (bacteria that eat gnat larvae before they hatch).

One of my plants needs flushing, but I am worried this will flush the bacteria also. Will it? Or should I just water the plant without nutes for a while and hope for the best?

The reason I need to flush is another of my plants was going light-green/yellow at the top, and flushing fixed that one. Now a different one is showing the exact same problem of light-green/yellow at the top.

Gnats are a problem for everyone here, it must be the climate. Normally they don't matter much but when they clog up the buds.. gross!! I need to keep the damn gnats at bay, but I want to flush.

Please help me to decide!

Thanks,

Max

 

[greasemonkeymann]

Hi all you awesome people!

I have a problem with gnats, almost an infestation and they all get stuck in the buds, so I got some Nemotodes (bacteria that eat gnat larvae before they hatch).

One of my plants needs flushing, but I am worried this will flush the bacteria also. Will it? Or should I just water the plant without nutes for a while and hope for the best?

The reason I need to flush is another of my plants was going light-green/yellow at the top, and flushing fixed that one. Now a different one is showing the exact same problem of light-green/yellow at the top.

Gnats are a problem for everyone here, it must be the climate. Normally they don't matter much but when they clog up the buds.. gross!! I need to keep the damn gnats at bay, but I want to flush.

Please help me to decide!

Thanks,

Max

judging by the nature of this question i'm guessing you are in an organic grow?
and flushing like what you describe shouldn't be needed, so i'd start by redesigning your soil or trying different growing techniques.
but yes, flushing or large amounts of water does effect the microbes, but not to where you'd ever notice, not to mention if they are close to being done the need for microbes is much less anyhow.
gnats can be fixed by putting an inch layer of horticulture sand on top of your media.
you probably are feeding too often.
when you say "bacteria" are you referring to the nematodes??
they aren't really bacteria, they are small worms that eat stuff as they grow

 

[Dr.Nick Riviera]

I would look closer at those gnats, I'm thinking you have aphids.

 

[dayl8dllarshort]

here is how I have cured problems along this line:

1) grow out your buggy cannabis and harvest it.
2) shut the room down.
3) remove everything from the room.
4) go to the grow store and buy one of those horribly nasty aphid/bug bombs.
5) set off the bug bomb
6) 24 hours later, open it up and air it out for 24 hours.
7) bleach all surfaces that can be bleached.
start with fresh pots and fresh soil.
9) dont bring clones home, start from seed.
10) keep heat down
11) reduce humidity and be sure not to leave any water lying around.

Just how I take care of it.. i find bugs to be intolerable.

 

[maximan22]

Thanks for your answers guys (and gals)!

I can confirm that nematodes do not wash out when plants are flushed. I flushed for 20 mins each plant, and still the gnats have been absolutely eradicated. From hundreds to literally none at all.

cheers,

Max

 

[Lordhooha]

Hi all you awesome people!

I have a problem with gnats, almost an infestation and they all get stuck in the buds, so I got some Nemotodes (bacteria that eat gnat larvae before they hatch).

One of my plants needs flushing, but I am worried this will flush the bacteria also. Will it? Or should I just water the plant without nutes for a while and hope for the best?

The reason I need to flush is another of my plants was going light-green/yellow at the top, and flushing fixed that one. Now a different one is showing the exact same problem of light-green/yellow at the top.

Gnats are a problem for everyone here, it must be the climate. Normally they don't matter much but when they clog up the buds.. gross!! I need to keep the damn gnats at bay, but I want to flush.

Please help me to decide!

Thanks,

Max

Your flushing because your plants are turning light green and yellow? They sound hungry an you just flushed the last of the nutrients out.