I think it's potassium defficiency..

[semistatebody]

Hey peeps, I know its my first post but I think I need help after reading around Ive come to the conclusion that I have a gnat infestation(little white hopping bugs) and the tips of my leaves are curling up so I'm guessing its potassium. Id like to confirm this and if anyone has any ideas on how to fix it, it would be greatly appreciated.

The plant was originally grown to the irish sun over the summer but when the temperatures went down I put it under lights. It was 3 months in the window with NO nutrients and when i brought it in under the lights I started using bio-bloom plant food and bio-bloom stimulator. Its been on 12/12 now goin on three weeks and I havent watered it for a few days to try and dry the bugs out. The constant temperature has been between 19C to 22.5C. Its a clone from a purple haze plant(I was told although he wasnt sure). Please Help, Jacinta means a lot to me, thanks.

 

[semistatebody]

Sorry Im not quite sure how to post pics up so its in my gallery.

 

[sproutco]

I cant see the leaves in question well. Not close enough. Too cold...needs to be warmer.

 

[semistatebody]

ok hope these are better... its the best quality I can get for the mo. Any ideas on how to get rid of these bugs... on a budget and if possible without any harsh chemicals... someone told me a single drop of washing up liquid in a litre of water and misting the whole plant with it so the bugs eat it and die..?

Also can anyone tell what stage of growth my plant is in? It has little white hairs coming out of the centre of each bulb and some(very few) have started to turn reddish. Im on 12/12 light cycle shud I continue? Is this flowering?

Will those leaves continue to rot if I feed it? Ive flushed it with brita filtered water now and waiting for it to dry. Ive raised the temp to 23.5C its the best I can do, will this be really bad if I leave it at that?

 

[sproutco]

Your just getting a little tip burn. Make sure the ph is good. Directions for testing are in my signature below. Adjust fert water ph after mixing to 6 using an acid or base. Get the lights as close as possible without burning the plant. Use your hand to judge if the tops are not too hot. Your plant from what I can tell looks ok. What bugs?

 

[semistatebody]

they are small white hopping insects that are brought up to the surface when I water, they stick around for a minute and bury themselves in the soil. Its just standard multi-purpose compost from the garden center.

 

[sproutco]

Fungus gnat larvae?

Fungus gnat larvae?



They live in the soil. Notice the black head. I don't know about hopping but squirming maybe. Use mosquito dunks from homedepot or Lowes in the gardening or pond section. Also, you may find bottles of mosquito control. Gnatrol is a brand. All these contain bacillus bacteria and are not harmful to you or pets. Is this what you got?

 

[semistatebody]

Hmm. I dont know about the black head fairly quick little buggers. But if that picture is anything to go by then I better get something anyway. they do hop though, at least half the pots distance in an instant like. they do squirm a little before they hop. Probably is them. Is it ok to mix pest control with plant food or will i flush feed flush and pest control then?

 

[sproutco]

No need to flush. Just drench the soil with the bacteria by itself. Do you have tiny gnats flying around the plant?

 

[imnotcrazy]

^^^ Does sound like fungus gnats, but more like the adults (they go below soil/medium surface to lay eggs and will come up when you water. Good advice from sproutco on looking for them flying around, only takes a few for lots of larvae). The Bti in the Mosquito Dunks works well for fungus gnats, used it when I was doing NFT & E&F in RW. Bti can be used up to day of harvest.

 

[Guest]

are you letting it dry out between waterings?...they like a moist enviroment....and good air movement is a must ...I used safer soap to stop them if I find them..

 

[semistatebody]

I wasnt letting it dry before but now I am she's well into flowering now. Ill go into the shop and get that pest control tomorrow, all closed today. there is things flying around the plant but I just thought they'd be flies.. maybe they are gnats. I assume spraying the plant with soap is a bad idea during flowering?

I have no ventilation but the closet door has a 1 inch gap is that enough? temperatures stay between 19C at night(dark period) And 23C day(light period).

 

[semistatebody]

Oh yeah my sleeping pattern is a bit odd so most days there is about an hour in the difference plus and minus of dark... will that be detrimental in the long run?