root aphids in cooking soil

[PrivateAero]

So, I just found out I have root aphids and my soil I have off to the side cooking 'till I need it has them too. I'm not horribly worried about the plants because they seem to kill the aphids eventually anyhow but should I cook or add peroxide or add nematodes to my soil or should I just buy a new batch ?

 

[CC_2U]

1 cup of neem seed meal to 5 gallons of water - bubble for a couple of days. Apply full-strength to your cooking soil

Done. Finis. Ovah!

HTH

CC

 

[mad librettist]

you have root aphids that are active in soil that has no plants in it?

could you post a pic of your root aphids?

 

[Hammerhead]

YA THERE SHOULD NOT BE ROOT aphids IN SOIL WITH NO ROOTS. oops caps.

You probably have Fungus Gnats

 

[the_extremist]

Could be fungus gnats. Especially if you're using Roots soil.

I got rid of my fungus gnats with a nematode drench.

 

[PrivateAero]

aint gnats, I let soil completely dry out and got rid off all my gnats, and these don't fly. I wish I could post a pic but these are almost too small for me to see, and I don't have a camera or the skill to get a pic of them. Honestly I call them root aphids because I've had them before and know that if you move the container and you see a bunch of nearly microscopic things moving its root aphids. This is soil I already used and removed most of the old roots but not all, but I guess if the roots aren't hooked to a plant then they don't have any juice in them. hmm... I think I'll go with nematode drench and tell you guys what happens.

 

[mad librettist]

ok then, but remember your story makes no sense. Root aphids can overwinter in soil but they are parasites, not decomposers.

My soil has all kinds of nearly microscopic and microscopic arthropods.


so I imagine there is something wrong with your observation.

 

[PrivateAero]

well thx for not making me sound like an idiot , I won't worry about it too much but I'm going to get the nematodes just incase. I like the neemseed meal aswell, and will be sourcing some now.

 

[mad librettist]

ok bro, and I'll take a guess - you have harmless soil mites.

 

[schwagg]

that's what i was thinking, soil mites. can't remember which one's have certain amounts of legs but you can count them to figure out if it's root aphids or mites. here's a pic of root aphids from my fantastic trip with them last year. oh and the nematodes will help. the second pic was the next day after adding the nematodes. hope it helps man!

 

[PrivateAero]

ok, thx for all the help, i'll keep you all updated

 

[schwagg]

PA, one thing to watch out for is the damn root aphids crawled outta the soil after applying the nematodes. not a big deal but in the flower room they crawled up the stalks and into the buds. eatin' and shittin' rotted the flower's from the inside out. just a heads up.

 

[mad librettist]

PA, one thing to watch out for is the damn root aphids crawled outta the soil after applying the nematodes. not a big deal but in the flower room they crawled up the stalks and into the buds. eatin' and shittin' rotted the flower's from the inside out. just a heads up.

you could maybe prevent that with tanglefoot.

messy but effective.

 

[CC_2U]

The application of neem seed meal tea will not only provide you with a viable pesticide but will feed the fungI colonies in the soil as well and in particular the mycorrhizal colonies.

A 'win-win' deal, IMHO.

YMMV

CC

 

[PrivateAero]

will the neem seed meal kill the benny bacteria ect. and if I am unable to find neem seed meal will neem seed oil suffice?
Thx alot for the posts everyone. I decided to get drunk and go to sleep instead of doing anything about it, it didn't work but now I can be a little more focused.

 

[CC_2U]

No to both questions - do NOT apply neem oil to your soil.

Organic neem and karanja oils and meals are available from The Ahimsa Foundation - you have to love the name, eh?

One of the very best investments you can make for growing medicine.

Peace

CC

 

[TurboFish]

You have springtails and they are beneficial. They are a sign of a healthy soil system and are great for decomposing soil and nutrients into more beneficial environment for plant roots. easier nutrient uptake also. without even looking at a picture I almost gaurentee you they are springtails, since these bugs are "thriving" in a soil with no roots. Do NOT kill them, they are great for the soil. they release nutrients and feed upon diseases caused by fungi. A large fraction of the nutrients available to plants is a result of microbial-grazing and nutrient release by fauna. They are almost microscopic, maybe a little silver looking and they move fast, sometimes jumping if threatened. they are soo small. I wonder how many people destroy their soil thinking these are pests lol.

 

[TwinTurboGuy]

Root Aphids can dwell in REUSED soil. They feed on the remaining roots that you weren't able to pull out.

 

[mad librettist]

Root Aphids can dwell in REUSED soil. They feed on the remaining roots that you weren't able to pull out.

you are describing a decomposer.

root aphids are parasites.

 

[inreplyavalon]

This pick looks exactly like the type of scale i am battling. The white dots that are in no order and different sizes. On my plant they extend far up the plant. A few feet. When I treat with a pesticide they stay down on the bottom. I believe those are the legless armored scale ie: adult stage.
I know they look alot like root nubs but these ones actually move up the plant the longer they go untreated.