Sciarra fly & mites.

For the discussion of topics related to the conservation, cultivation, propagation and exhibition of cacti & other succulents.
Forum rules
For the discussion of topics related to the conservation, cultivation, propagation, exhibition & science of cacti & other succulents only.

Please respect all forum members opinions and if you can't make a civil reply, don't reply!
tonyironscacti
BCSS Member
Posts: 187
https://www.behance.net/kuchnie-warszawa
Joined: 09 Jun 2010
Branch: BRISTOL
Country: uk
Role within the BCSS: Chairman - Research

Sciarra fly & mites.

Post by tonyironscacti »

This year I have been plagued with more than the usual number of both these pests on the new seedlings sown late February 2019.
I understand that others have also had a worst experience of this so far this year, but that does not help in the high number of casualties I have had.
Can anyone advise on how they deal with these pests ?
SB plant invigorator does help but it also makes the label details run !
As I sow 90 quarter trays of mostly mesembs each year [ approx 9,000 seed ], it is painful watching the plants keel over and die !
All advice listened to !
Terry S.

Re: Sciarra fly & mites.

Post by Terry S. »

If by mite, you are talking about red spider mite, then SB Plant Invigorator is the only control available to the amateur. I use masses of it as a spray using the concentrate diluted 1:100 with water as recommended and I do not have any problems with label ink running - I use Staedtler Lumocolor pens. Certain aerosols with organic solvents will destroy your writing.
Herts Mike
BCSS Member
Posts: 4303
Joined: 20 Sep 2007
Branch: LEA VALLEY
Country: Uk

Re: Sciarra fly & mites.

Post by Herts Mike »

Or dot insectivorous plants about the place. My Drosera hoovers up a lot of flies.
Eric Williams
BCSS Member
Posts: 2315
Joined: 13 Feb 2009
Branch: SOUTH WALES
Country: UK

Re: Sciarra fly & mites.

Post by Eric Williams »

I second Herts Mike here. I have 3 bowls of Pingquicula all around, and as Mike says they love sciara fly. Plants thrive on the flies as they grow big and fast, and the only thing they get of me is water. Cheers. ps, I have read, small ex computer fans have been used to blow the flies off the seed pans.
User avatar
rodsmith
BCSS Member
Posts: 3189
Joined: 17 Feb 2011
Branch: STOKE-ON-TRENT
Country: UK
Location: Staffordshire, UK

Re: Sciarra fly & mites.

Post by rodsmith »

I run a vacuum cleaner over my plants every few days. Not too close to vacuum up the soil or gravel but sciarids have such a weak flight that the cleaner is powerful enough to suck up a lot of these pests. I also manage to kill some by squashing them against the windows or by clapping my hands when I see one circling (taking care not to catch my hands on a cactus!). I have used the yellow sticky plastic strips for several years but have discontinued these as they have been catching bees and hover flies.
Rod Smith

Growing a mixed collection of cacti & other succulents; mainly smaller species with a current emphasis on lithops & conophytum.
tonyironscacti
BCSS Member
Posts: 187
Joined: 09 Jun 2010
Branch: BRISTOL
Country: uk
Role within the BCSS: Chairman - Research

Re: Sciarra fly & mites.

Post by tonyironscacti »

Thanks for your replies.

I have already ordered a tray of Drosera plants to place round the propagation area. I am also trying out labels written with pencil & also printed by laser printer to see how they react to SB plant invigorator.
I like the idea of hoovering up the insects periodically.

All of these I will try.

Cheers

Tony.
User avatar
ralphrmartin
BCSS Research Committee Chairman
Posts: 6052
Joined: 11 Jan 2007
Branch: None
Country: United Kingdom
Role within the BCSS: Chairman - Research
Location: Pwllheli
Contact:

Re: Sciarra fly & mites.

Post by ralphrmartin »

You can avoid sciara fly by using a purely mineral compost. In my experience, the larvae are present in commercial composts.
Ralph Martin
https://www.rrm.me.uk/Cacti/cacti.html
Members visiting the Llyn Peninsula are welcome to visit my collection.

Swaps and sales at https://www.rrm.me.uk/Cacti/forsale.php

My Field Number Database is at https://www.fieldnos.bcss.org.uk
User avatar
el48tel
BCSS Member
Posts: 5281
Joined: 04 Aug 2018
Branch: LEEDS
Country: UK
Role within the BCSS: Member
Location: Leeds

Re: Sciarra fly & mites.

Post by el48tel »

ralphrmartin wrote: Thu Jul 04, 2019 5:54 pm You can avoid sciara fly by using a purely mineral compost. In my experience, the larvae are present in commercial composts.
Not a surprise!
Endeavouring to grow Aylostera, Echinocereus, Echinopsis, Gymnocalycium, Matucana, Rebutia, and Sulcorebutia. Fallen out of love with Lithops and aggravated by Aeoniums.
Currently being wooed by Haworthia, attempting hybridisation, and enticed by Mesembs.
tonyironscacti
BCSS Member
Posts: 187
Joined: 09 Jun 2010
Branch: BRISTOL
Country: uk
Role within the BCSS: Chairman - Research

Re: Sciarra fly & mites.

Post by tonyironscacti »

ralphrmartin wrote: Thu Jul 04, 2019 5:54 pm You can avoid sciara fly by using a purely mineral compost. In my experience, the larvae are present in commercial composts.
So if I use vermiculite, expanded clay etc for seed raising would you need to use some type of feed ?

At present I do not add anything to my water and let the natural elements within my soil mix supply nourishment......in fact only water up till 2 years of age .
daydreamer
BCSS Member
Posts: 53
Joined: 19 Jul 2017
Branch: None
Country: UK
Role within the BCSS: Member

Re: Sciarra fly & mites.

Post by daydreamer »

In my experience sciarid flies are attracted to any compost containing peat, but also to any peat-free compost based on composted garden waste. I use a mix of coir(from blocks), moler clay (the Euro Car Parts version is a good size for seeds) and very coarse sand. I water with half strength Chempak C&S before seed sowing and every watering thereafter. I've never had any problem with sciarids.
Post Reply