Fungus Gnats: Prevention and Maintenance

Fungus gnats are tiny mosquito-like insects that stay in moist soil and live on decomposing matter. That is why they love houseplants and greenhouses. If ever you see these insects swarming around your plants, how to control them is by cleaning debris near your plantings.

Here are other preventive ways and maintenance that will help keep fungus gnats from your home and garden.

Observe Your Watering

Since fungus gnats like damp areas, you need to ensure good drainage of your containers so that your plants will not be too wet. The top soil should be dry by 1-3 inches before more water is added. When top soil is kept dry, you will be able to prevent fungus gnats from laying eggs on the ground. Saucers under plant containers are usually filled with excess water, make sure to empty them and keep the saucer dry.  

Possible Home Remedies

Another way to prevent the laying of eggs of these fungus gnats in your containers is by putting ¼ inch of horticultural sand on top of the containers. Potato’s cut side can also be placed at the surface of the soil to draw out the larvae from the soil.

Use a Control

Stop fungus gnats from swarming your plants and even your home by using and placing fly baits on your windows. For container plants, use a fungus gnats control which are purchased in supermarkets. Always remember to read and follow the usage instruction printed on the label.

If you are looking for fast, effective Fungus Gnat Control products in your hydroponic garden, visit CX Hydroponics by checking out the link.

Steps in Mixing Hydroponics Nutrients

Hydroponics is an effective method of growing plants using nutrients and water. It’s necessary to find the proper balance of nutrients to assist the right growth and development of plants. Mixing hydroponics nutrients isn’t a difficult task either. Here are the steps of proper nutrients mixing.

1. Use distilled water. Water to be used should go through filtration. Don’t use tap water because it contains elements like ions that can harm the hydroponics system.

2. Pour in water to a food grade container. Use 1-gal empty milk jug for smaller reservoir of nutrient. But for larger amount, it’s better to use a 5-gal water container.

3. Measure nutrients. Measure dry chemicals using filter paper and plastic chemical scoop. Measuring liquid nutrients use a beaker or a graduated cylinder. For 5-gal water container, measure out 5 tsps. of Calcium Nitrate, 1/3 tsp. of Potassium Sulfate, 1 ¼ tsp. of Monopotassium Phosphate, 3 ½ tsps. of Magnesium Sulphate, and 2/5 tsp. trace element compound.

4. Use a funnel when pouring chemicals. This will avoid spillage of chemicals when poured in the container and keep the right balance of nutrients of the solution.

5. Pour nutrients to the water. Slowly add the nutrients one at a time to avoid spilling and the loss of nutrients that plants needed.

6. Cover & shake the container. Secure the cap of the container and with both hands shake it for 30-60 seconds to well combine the nutrients.  If container is large and heavy, stirring mixture with a rod will do.

7. Store the nutrients. Storage room should be at room temperature and should be dark. Mix the nutrients again before use. 

If you are looking for the best hydroponic-nutrients that will provide better yields, simply visit CX Hydroponics by following the given link.