Ants, bugs, insecticide, dieing plants! I need help!!

one_hit_wonder

Active Member

Jul 8, 2007

• #1

Holy sweet Jesus what do I do now... My plants are three inches high and they are being eaten and are dieing!!

Okay, heres more on the situation: there are ants everywhere where im growing. I don't know if they will eat my plants, but I'm new and not about to take chances.

Plus there are these little white bugs I see every now and then hopping around from pot to pot. You can even see the things breathing, or what appears to be breathing, if thats helps any.

I used some flower insecticide which is made of different detergents and the next day I come back and two of the plants are dead, lieing there... dead, or at least they definately look dead. That didn't make me feel too good inside.

There appears to be enough water, the soil is always damp and there is moss which i plan to remove. But maybe a lack of water was the cause of the death of two plants?

Okay, ill be back with more information and pictures...

Please post some suggestions before my plants die!

 

GoodFriend

Lumberjack

Jul 8, 2007

• #2

well... actually... the soil shouldn't always be moist...

it might actually be waterlogged... you should let your soil dry and inch or two down before you water again... as for the ants, they have little ant traps... just set them around the area... and the other bugs might be fungus gnats that live in the soil, and neem oil is a good cure for that

of course... those might not be your problems...

any pictures?

 

one_hit_wonder

Active Member

Jul 8, 2007

• #3

Here are some pics... i just watered a couple of the pots which is why they look so damp. I felt down deeper than i usually do and they were very dry. And just my luck, after i water them it rains....

 

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GoodFriend

Lumberjack

Jul 8, 2007

• #4

ok so a few things...

the ones with more than one plant growing in them.... kill one of the plants in there so theres only one remaining (roots will get tangled and stunted... one pot plant per pot)

second.. what kind of potting soil are you using?
third, you can repot the plants again and buring the stems quite a bit... just below the leaves...

remember no nutes are need for alteast a couple more weeks

good luck!!!

 

one_hit_wonder

Active Member

Jul 8, 2007

• #5

well its miracle grow soil with ferts already in it. and kill the plants? couldnt i just transplant them? And what would burrying the stems do to help the plants?

thanks alot

 

GoodFriend

Lumberjack

Jul 8, 2007

• #6

ok well 1) be careful with time release ferts... you never really know how much is in the soil already so when adding more in the future (a few weeks down the line...) be real careful to avoid nute burn...

2) transplanting is fine... my point was just 1 plant per pot

3) your plants are all kinda flopped down... maybe from stretch or something i don't know the exact cause... but burrying the stems will help to stabilize your plant and cancel out the fact they started out a bit limp... (plus the part you bury will probably start growing roots out of it after a while)

best of luck!!!

 

one_hit_wonder

Active Member

Jul 9, 2007

• #7

Okay, I just found out what the problem is.... aphids. Any clue whats best to kill the damn things. Im down to 3 plants now and they arent looking so great. Aphids sucked the life out of the rest.

 

GoodFriend

Lumberjack

Jul 9, 2007

• #8

lady bugs!!!!!!!

go natural yo!

thats like they're favorite course right there!!!

 

SmokerE

Well-Known Member

Jul 9, 2007

• #9

Ants aren't good either. That home defense stuff they have with the spray nozzle works like a charm. Just spray around an area where you don't want them. They'll be gone in a couple of days.

 

one_hit_wonder

Active Member

Jul 10, 2007

• #10

Alright sounds good ill get some of that spray and some ladybugs. Also, im going to try using "cigarette tea." I mixed about 15 cigarette buds with boiling water and it wasnt long before the water turned brown. I've heard this works, but im not sure if i should delute mine a bit so it doesnt harm the plants.

 

SmokerE

Well-Known Member

Jul 10, 2007

• #11

Never heard of cigarettes to aid in getting rid of pests. Keep us updated if it works.

 

jpalms27

Well-Known Member

Jul 10, 2007

• #12

heres wat i use for bugs

 

GrowRebel

Well-Known Member

Jul 10, 2007

• #13

You don't need spray .... a sprayer maybe but not spray ...

Use dishwashing liquid .... get it real sudsy and put the suds on the leaves for a couple of mins then rinse well .... that will kill the bugs and not harm the plant ... or you ...
.... your picture look like the plants are getting too much water .... make sure you don't do that when they are at that stage ....

Good luck ...

 

one_hit_wonder

Active Member

Jul 10, 2007

• #14

Finally I'm gettting some confidence that my remaining plants will survive. I sprayed the cigarette bud stuff and bugs when running, makes me feel good inside. Ill post some pics soon enough to let you guys show my progress.

Thanks all of you, but knowing me ill be back for help soon...