blownz281

I need some thoughts on bags of indoor potting soil people have used. Looking for something bug free. Bringing my nanners inside this year to overwinter in pots. Brought nanners inside over the winter last year and tiny bugs called springtails were crawling all over. So want something bug free if possible. Thanks

The Hollyberry Lady

blownz281

SO no home cheapo or Blowes? I always used peters or MG cactus soils for years and loved them. For the cactus and dry climate types. Thought maybe there might be something decent there?

The Hollyberry Lady

blownz281

Alright. good to know. Thanks for the help!

Patty in Wisc

I always liked MG potting mix w/ added perlite. I didn't know of any bugs or eggs in it before. I thought bugs got in thru drain holes when put outside, so now I put pieces of screen at holes in hopes of keeping bugs out.
Sometimes I sterilize my own soil by baking it at about 400f in the oven in large roasting pans, for about 20-30 minutes. It really STINKS so be ready LOL.

__________________
Got a lite?
Patty




____
Patty in Wisc has sadly passed away 9/05/11. We will miss you Patty.

The Hollyberry Lady

xavierdlc61887

i think if your worried about bugs and eggs being in your soil then you should either grow in hydroponics or not at all :P

The Hollyberry Lady

turtile

You'll have to use insecticide on the plant and the soil if you want to avoid problems. The best way to manage springtails is to keep the medium from staying wet. A fast draining planting medium is a must but it's hard to find (look for one high in perlite).

A mix of perlite and sand will have no problem managing springtails since it does not contain any organic material for them to feed on except for plant parts. Miracle-Gro is filled with pine bark and other organic materials which springtails can feed on.

__________________
http://www.unusualplants.net/

1aday

My potted bananas and I like Fafard 52, which has peat, perlite, vermiculite, and pine bark pieces. It drains really well. (and needs to, because I like to overwater...)
Try Cross Seed in Wilmington.

__________________
Susan

blownz281

I thought about the oven deal! How bad is bad smell wise?

Where is that in Wilmington,never heard of it? Are you a local as well?

The Hollyberry Lady

sandy0225

Just rinse all the soil off your plants before repotting for inside. Don't use potting soil from anywhere that is-or has been-sitting outside, where it could have gotten wet. If it's gotten wet, then it's likely to have algae in it which attracts fungus gnats. When you open the bag, look to see if the inside of the bag is slimy green or flaky brown, that means the soil has been wet. If so, don't use it. I haven't heard of Miracle grow soil being any more prone to having bugs in it than any others, but if it was handled improperly, sitting on pallets outside, then that may be the case. I know our local menards is starting to carry more of the promix potting soils now, so they will be more available to homeowners than before. Nearly any of them-except the ones designed to mix with soil outdoors to improve flower beds-mixed 50/50 with perlite will make a good winter potting mix for bananas because of the improved drainage that the perlite offers.
My still all time favorite is promix HP with biofungicide, but that can be hard to get if you're a homeowner. Try calling some local greenhouses to see if they have any.

__________________
Sandy Burrell



Northern Tropics Greenhouse
1501 East Fuson Road
Muncie, IN 47302
www.northerntropics.com


specializing in bananas, heirloom tomatoes and water gardening plants~
check out our new online store at our website!

notrecruiting

is a springtail infestation detrimental to the living plants in your soil or is it just a neusance?

__________________
If it'll hold soil or grow don't throw it out

turtile

They usually cause no damage to plants.

__________________
http://www.unusualplants.net/

David Harritz

To keep your system bug free You need to use anti bug liquid or fertilizers which are available in the market. It is necessary if such a kind of thing happens to your plant.

__________________
Find the LED Grow Lights easily

*dim*

go to your nearest hydroponic store, and check their composts ... they have specialist imported composts that are primarily geared for 'medical cannabis' growers

Here in the UK, I use plagron bat mix .... it's very rich, has different types of peat and also has worm humus and bat guano ... It also has perlite, which makes it drain well ... all I add is a bit more worm humis (vermicompost), and I also use rootgrow (Mycorrhizal Fungi)

I have never seen any bugs when using this ... I have also used biobizz all mix which is also very good