Does flushing get rid of good & helpful bacteria?

[maximan22]

Hi all you awesome people!

I have a problem with gnats, almost an infestation and they all get stuck in the buds, so I got some Nemotodes (bacteria that eat gnat larvae before they hatch).

One of my plants needs flushing, but I am worried this will flush the bacteria also. Will it? Or should I just water the plant without nutes for a while and hope for the best?

The reason I need to flush is another of my plants was going light-green/yellow at the top, and flushing fixed that one. Now a different one is showing the exact same problem of light-green/yellow at the top.

Gnats are a problem for everyone here, it must be the climate. Normally they don't matter much but when they clog up the buds.. gross!! I need to keep the damn gnats at bay, but I want to flush.

Please help me to decide!

Thanks,

Max

 

[Spitz]

re: Does flushing get rid of good & helpful bacteria?

The fly traps will catch a few.. if you cut small squares and place them on top of the soil, you'll catch all the adults. It will take a while to break the cycle, but you'll get them. As for the larva, I believe placing a slice of potato will draw the larva to them. I've battled gnats a few times but minor infestations. some use mosquito dunks.

As for flushing away beneficial bacteria, it depends what's in the water. There not going to run out the pot like the scrubbing bubbles guys going down the drain... still, chlorinated water will likely kill a few. Why not get some spring, rain, or RO water and mix in some bennies before flushing? If your plant really needs a flush, the toxic "whatever" will do more harm than your bennies are doing good.

 

[jhfhklsnhfldk]

This is not my area of expertise, so please check on anything I say. I have heard that a layer of sand or even perlite on top of the growing medium can help with bugs and larvae. As Spitz mentioned, I hang fly strips inside and around my tent.
Best I can do is add a response that, hopefully, gets the question bumped and brings other opinions.

best of luck.

 

[Jedthedog]

Sticky traps ,diatomaceous earth on top of the soil and SNS 209 will keep the fungus gnats in check ..

 

[maximan22]

Thanks for your answers guys (and gals)!

I can confirm that nematodes do not wash out when plants are flushed. I flushed for 20 mins each plant, and still the gnats have been absolutely eradicated. From hundreds to literally none at all.

cheers,

Max

 

[jhfhklsnhfldk]

Sticky traps ,diatomaceous earth on top of the soil and SNS 209 will keep the fungus gnats in check ..

SNS makes some great products. I don't use them on my buds but I do use them in my garden (vegetable). They are all natural, organic and actually smell like the spices that they are made from.