[bambi]

Breeding spidermite resistant strains or plants is something im very interested in at this stage for my one of my own skunk hybrid's that is currently not spidermite resistant at all,

The plant in question is a old super skunk ive had for quite some time now and for those who have or knew the original super skunk plant will no just how much the dreaded spidermite likes it, - same goes for atleast one hybrid im working on now,

Ive often wondered how some breeders and seed banks can breed in the resistance to the mite's,? or if they do this at all' I really dunno ?

Anyways not long ago I was talking with a wine maker and vineyard worker of there ways to keep such pest's away from there grape vines without the need for Chemical's such as the only trusted product I use called - AVID ) and what they have done in the early days of the industry to eradicate such filthy little pests,

The best answer I got was using - Beer Sludge - they got off the brewery's before being chucked out,
The vineyard explained how over time they would spray there crops with the sludge, in turn getting the vines to build up the resistance to such pests as spidermite and mealy bug eating the fruits of there labour,

over time the clones they took off these same vines sprayed with the beer sludge built up a strong resistance to mites and other harmfull inscect's,

My mind is asking me can I do the same thing with my marijuana plants and would it work breeding into next generation seed lines until it appears spidermite resistant, ?

I really can't find much online info for this in marijuana and hoping some of the older breeder's here or other's to can enlighten me please, im hoping it might work since beer is made with barley hop's and related to Cannabis.

thanks for reading all.
bambi..

[burningfire]

I believe that there's three types of plants when dealing with pests.

First, there are plants that attract spider mites, they have this specific terpene , I believe one of them is nepetalactol, I don't know if cannabis produces this terpene, but I know calamint does and if you've ever smelled calamint you know it's possible cannabis produces something similar ( calamint to me smells minty but not as refreshing, it's warmer, I could even detect hints of burnt rubber which is something people sometimes describe in skunk hybrids )

Second, there are plants that are just victim of their surroundings or have no defense against their attackers.

Third , there are plants that release a terpene called farnesene which is a pheromone the aphids use to alarm other aphids.

[Betterhaff]

Bambi, it’s been a while…cheers.

Spider mites in a way can be like hemorrhoids…sometimes they just keep hanging around. Little b*astards. Anyway, at times I find them a positive...if they like the plants, usually so do I.

As far as breeding for resistance, I’m not that qualified. I’m sure it can be done but at what cost. The problem is those little suckers are very adaptive so by the time you get there they may have morphed around it. You might try some inbreeding for quantity and select plants that seem less prone but are still giving you what you desire.

I have a couple of mite magnets right now and I treat them to disrupt the bug’s life cycle, keeping them at bay.

By the way, only use Avid as a last resort and on nothing that is to be consumed. I use soaps and natural oils.

[vostok]

Look to using Neem Oil in your grows, I've been a heavy user of Neem Oil for many years with very little issues at all, and its organic too, takes care of bugs and molds with ease.

Many guys with issues merely mix neem with their soils as its systemic, is actually sucked up with the plant, god help any bugs that bite into a neem tasting plant ....lol

avoid if harvesting with in 2 weeks as neem is an acquired taste

[Galactic]

Easy,

Take plants in question.

Introduce spidermites to the grow environment.

Observe levels of resistance.

Keep and breed the resistant.

Trying to get anymore scholarly is a waste of time.

[bambi]

hi, - yes the terpene thing is interesting alright,
Something il look into for sure, cheers for stopping by. - bam"

Originally Posted by burningfire

I believe that there's three types of plants when dealing with pests.

First, there are plants that attract spider mites, they have this specific terpene , I believe one of them is nepetalactol, I don't know if cannabis produces this terpene, but I know calamint does and if you've ever smelled calamint you know it's possible cannabis produces something similar ( calamint to me smells minty but not as refreshing, it's warmer, I could even detect hints of burnt rubber which is something people sometimes describe in skunk hybrids )

Second, there are plants that are just victim of their surroundings or have no defense against their attackers.

Third , there are plants that release a terpene called farnesene which is a pheromone the aphids use to alarm other aphids.

[bambi]

Hallo there, yes been a while mate, hemorroid's indeed, lol
some more inbreeding yes, having to give my plants mites on purpose is something il do one day away from my indoor op of course, never thought id find myself doing this but ya just never no aye, - thanks bro - B.

Originally Posted by Betterhaff

Bambi, it’s been a while…cheers.

Spider mites in a way can be like hemorrhoids…sometimes they just keep hanging around. Little b*astards. Anyway, at times I find them a positive...if they like the plants, usually so do I.

As far as breeding for resistance, I’m not that qualified. I’m sure it can be done but at what cost. The problem is those little suckers are very adaptive so by the time you get there they may have morphed around it. You might try some inbreeding for quantity and select plants that seem less prone but are still giving you what you desire.

I have a couple of mite magnets right now and I treat them to disrupt the bug’s life cycle, keeping them at bay.

By the way, only use Avid as a last resort and on nothing that is to be consumed. I use soaps and natural oils.

[bambi]

yes I must get back to the neem oil one day, il go ahead with the beer sludge as a test thing for now, thanks for the input much appreciated.. - b

Originally Posted by vostok

Look to using Neem Oil in your grows, I've been a heavy user of Neem Oil for many years with very little issues at all, and its organic too, takes care of bugs and molds with ease.

Many guys with issues merely mix neem with their soils as its systemic, is actually sucked up with the plant, god help any bugs that bite into a neem tasting plant ....lol

avoid if harvesting with in 2 weeks as neem is an acquired taste

[bambi]

Your right, can be easy peasy japaneasy at times,
having to introduce mites upon plants il have to do one day soon, away from the indoor op of course, outside perhaps,
il try the beer sludge thing as a test I think and go from here, thanks for reading G - bam"

Originally Posted by Galactic

Easy,

Take plants in question.

Introduce spidermites to the grow environment.

Observe levels of resistance.

Keep and breed the resistant.

Trying to get anymore scholarly is a waste of time.