Was about to start my first grow, but im reading about many people having bugs in their soil, namely organic soil. Is this something normal. My grow was a closet grow and I absolutely didn't want to do it if bugs in the soil are something normal lol. Plus I have carpeting where it was to be grown, cant afford to have an infestation getting into carpets. Is there anyway besides hydro, to grow without having to have bugs in the soil?
Bugs in soil?
- Thread starter Comet79
- Start date
tntgreen13
Well-Known Member
A lot seems to depend on the choice of soil, where its purchased and so on. There are usually ways to deal with bug issues, especially if caught right away. From my knowledge however, every grow, no matter the medium runs some risk of bug infestation. Just continue researching on this topic, and make a decision based on what you feel is best for you.
Also, WELCOME to RIU. You will find a lot of great information on here, but also some not so great information. The most important thing is to continue to learn and do individual research to find what works best for you in your garden. Make use of the forums search bar, as this is a great way to find threads that are posted on topics and questions you may have. Furthermore, don't take information as being a 100% valid without verification, I prefer members who have photos, videos, etc to back there claims, but even then every garden and grower are different.
Finally, please know that "Well-Known Member" doesn't necessarily equal "Great/Knowledgable Grower" as many new members tend to make this assumption. I am a prime example of a new grower, who has received this status simply because of my activity on the forum!
Best of lucky with all your grows and again welcome to the RIU community!
Also, WELCOME to RIU. You will find a lot of great information on here, but also some not so great information. The most important thing is to continue to learn and do individual research to find what works best for you in your garden. Make use of the forums search bar, as this is a great way to find threads that are posted on topics and questions you may have. Furthermore, don't take information as being a 100% valid without verification, I prefer members who have photos, videos, etc to back there claims, but even then every garden and grower are different.
Finally, please know that "Well-Known Member" doesn't necessarily equal "Great/Knowledgable Grower" as many new members tend to make this assumption. I am a prime example of a new grower, who has received this status simply because of my activity on the forum!
Best of lucky with all your grows and again welcome to the RIU community!
Thank you for the quick reply! Ive been reading for a month!
Seeds are in hand and thought I had it figured out lol. I absolutely didn't want to have a bug infestation! All else would have been ok Im abandoning my attempt, thankfully nothing except seeds were purchased Very good site here nonetheless! Happy growing season to all!
Seeds are in hand and thought I had it figured out lol. I absolutely didn't want to have a bug infestation! All else would have been ok Im abandoning my attempt, thankfully nothing except seeds were purchased Very good site here nonetheless! Happy growing season to all!
tntgreen13
Well-Known Member
Thank you for the quick reply! Ive been reading for a month!
If you have seeds and have chosen against the idea of growing indoors, is there a possibility of growing outdoors in your area? Just a thought? Otherwise maybe you have a friend that would be interested in buying the seeds off of you, saving the hassle of ordering/shipping, just another thought.
HOWEVER, don't offer them on here as it will violate forum rules.
Chef420
Well-Known Member
Hold on there brother. Don't abondon all hope yet. As my esteemed colleague above stated, he's a noob, so don't listen to just his opinion. Do research. Soil is fine. You just have to choose wisely. I'm a noob growing in soil in a condo and haven't had any problems.
You will have to line the bottom of the grow area with some sort of plastic or sheeting. You were planning on that correct?
You will have to line the bottom of the grow area with some sort of plastic or sheeting. You were planning on that correct?
tntgreen13
Well-Known Member
I think Chef makes some good points, I as well am in a rental as well, growing in soil and no issues. However, you have to be the one to make the final decision.
Ive read numerous posts..not from this site actually..about people having bugs in their organic soil..but they were 'good' bugs. I actually don't want any bugs at all. The pics and vids I saw on youtube of these tiny microscopic things running around like lightning..i cant imagine having to get rid of those! I cant stand ants..nm weird bugs that seem to come around plants in general lol. The carpeting doesn't help either. In a proper setup I wouldn't have worried as much, but without a grow tent or anything 'professional' in terms of grow area, its not worth the attempt. It was only 1 or 2 plants..maybe 2 ounces every 3 months..for that little amount..the headache of things crawling all over the carpet and me, is not worth it! I had bed bugs once lol..never want bugs again! lol
I had bed bugs once lol..never want bugs again! lolbryan oconner
Well-Known Member
throw some perlite in the soil there will not be any bugs in the soil . bugs hate perlite
tntgreen13
Well-Known Member
By no means doubting your post or trying to be rude, but do you by chance have evidence to back this claim? Just wondering cause I have a 20-30% perlite mix, haven't had any issues with pests, but just wonder if it is this easy why doesn't every soil grower use this technique?
bryan oconner
Well-Known Member
no . a lot of people don't use perlite in the soil . and it retains water . and bugs love that lay there eggs in it . with perlite it has drainage . also with out perlite some people will see white mold on top of there soil . I prefer using about 30 % per and 70 % soil fine perlite . cant over water its impossible . so I can just water daily . does not affect yield at all roots grow and fill the entire pot . did this with 3 gallon to 20 gallon pots. that course big rock perlite works ok . but idk if its true a hard rock would stop the root from forming if you think about it I pass on the big ass perlite.
I have never grown anything in my life..so I have no evidence..nor do I know anyone who grows. Its just from what I read in some other forums from different people. Most explained that it was 'good' bugs..not predators. Some of them were bad. Either way..i really didn't know that its normal to have bugs in indoor growing with soil bought from a store. I was going to use 30% perlite as well. I actually only got the idea to grow weed indoors this march when I opted not to do a container garden (vegetables), on my balcony because of fear of ants coming in! lol (they crawl on the outside of the building walls for some reason) I understood if by my own errors, I would allow bugs to appear..like by overwatering, stagnant water, humidity..but the idea that they are part of the soil and its normal..i just didn't like that thought. Its the fact of how fast some of them were lol..I wouldn't be able to contain that without a 'real' setup.
bryan oconner
Well-Known Member
no real evidence to back my perlite no bug thing up . just what I have learned and know . im sure the poster of this topic and read and dick it up some where . it would be smart for them to do so for education
bryan oconner
Well-Known Member
might be better to just hit the store . to buy your veggies . if you do not want to put your time in and learn . you will drop a lot of cash on lights pots nutrients and it might be all wasted .
tntgreen13
Well-Known Member
I think the good bugs you are discussing that are found in organic soil, can ONLY survive in the soil itself, because without the nutrients within the soil they wouldn't have a food supply. Could always check out the organics section on RIU for more opinions as well.
I was replying to tntgreen with my 'no evidence' comment as he asked. Not sure what you're trying to say in your last two posts..so I will ignore them. if you're implying I didn't pout in the time to learn..you are very wrong! I simply choose to not take a chance with it as a possible bug infestation isn't worth the little I would be growing anyway.
Yes, that's the impression I got, I just really don't want to deal with bugs. If I ever get a grow tent one day, then I may possibly give it a try..for now I will remain a customer
bryan oconner
Well-Known Member
not trying to be rude here. a indoor plant has dirt . bugs smells. a lot of work . the dam electric bill . time . money . mess . and more mess . never replying you were not willing to learn . I just thought your worried about a few bugs . if I were you I would just hit the store for your items .
tntgreen13
Well-Known Member
My evidence comment was intended for Bryan as he was the one that made the claim about the perlite, thus the reason for his following response.
If a grow tent would be the thing that is your tipping point at deciding to give it a try, I'd buy a tent myself. You can get a decent tent relatively inexpensive, not sure what bud costs where you live, but I can almost bet that growing your own would basically pay for itself within a harvest or two if done right.
