Hello,
I have seen fungus gnat in my seedbeds (10 months). Do you know how to deal effectively and ecologically with them?
My soil is 75% pumice and 25% compost.
How to deal effectively and ecologically with fungus gnat?
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Please respect all forum members opinions and if you can't make a civil reply, don't reply!
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Re: How to deal effectively and ecologically with fungus gnat?
I always put a Drosera by my seedlings. They hoover them all up.
- habanerocat
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Re: How to deal effectively and ecologically with fungus gnat?
Herts Mike wrote: ↑Sat Dec 03, 2022 1:08 pm I always put a Drosera by my seedlings. They hoover them all up.
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Re: How to deal effectively and ecologically with fungus gnat?
If it starts saying "feed me" I would get rid of it.Herts Mike wrote: ↑Sat Dec 03, 2022 1:08 pm I always put a Drosera by my seedlings. They hoover them all up.
Paul in North-east Scotland (Grampian Branch BCSS)
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National Collection Rebutia, Aylostera & Weingartia (inc. Sulcorebutia). Also growing a mixture including Ferocactus, Gymnocalycium, Lobivia, Mammillaria, Lithops, Gasteria, Haworthia.
http://www.rebutia.org.uk
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Re: How to deal effectively and ecologically with fungus gnat?
Pinguicula seems to be better than yellow sticky traps, but that doesn't really do much to the larvae. Watering with nematodes should help, but I never had to do it to seedlings.Herts Mike wrote: ↑Sat Dec 03, 2022 1:08 pm I always put a Drosera by my seedlings. They hoover them all up.
Mat
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Re: How to deal effectively and ecologically with fungus gnat?
Nematodes are a very effective cure for them. In fact I need to order some more as I've repotted some of the plants in my office and have them again from the new compost.
https://www.nematodesdirect.co.uk/sciar ... to-15-sq-m
https://www.nematodesdirect.co.uk/sciar ... to-15-sq-m
Ed
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Re: How to deal effectively and ecologically with fungus gnat?
Some years ago I switched to John Innes and vermiculite 50/50 and the problem disappeared.
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Re: How to deal effectively and ecologically with fungus gnat?
I would always advise that succulents are grown in a highly inorganic compost, basically 50/% compost %0% grit. With this sort of mixture(including for seeds) I have not had any problem with these pesky flies.
Obsessive Crassulaceae lover, especially Aeoniums but also grow, Aloes, Agaves, Haworthias and a select number of Cacti.
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Re: How to deal effectively and ecologically with fungus gnat?
The last two bags of Sylvagrow Ericaceous compost were both infested with fungus gnats straight from the store, I am slightly out of ideas what to buy next that wouldn't require baking or "nuking" in a microwave...
Mat
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Re: How to deal effectively and ecologically with fungus gnat?
Yellow sticky traps can help to keep the numbers down, too.
Ralph Martin
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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