Re-Thinking Things

Redwood Ryan · Feb 1, 2013

Hey all,

Made another indoor greenhouse tonight. However, I'm going to make absolutely positive that I allow for good air flow. Right now I've got one greenhouse that is being ravaged by spider mites, and I'm pretty tired of them. I seem to go through spells with the critters. Whenever I bring in a new tree, surprise surprise, the mites are back. So I'm currently considering just tossing out all of one greenhouse and starting over fresh. Either that or defoliate, spray with oil, and increase humidity to allow for backbud.

But anyway, this is my latest one. Not finished yet, but it's getting there. I still need a door that will be opened each day to allow a fan to blow fresh air through the setup. It'll have 8 T8 bulbs above it. I'll probably finish it tomorrow.

KennedyMarx · Feb 2, 2013

That sucks about the spider mites.

Have you thought about mounting a small fan, like a computer fan, on the outside of the enclosure and putting it on a timer? The hole would be small enough that the humidity would still be high, but you'd have fresh air blowing in on a regular basis.

Vance Wood · Feb 2, 2013

Have you thought about quarantining any new items you obtain before introducing to your main green house? It seems to me that you have identified the source of your problem all you need to do is build a quarantine greenhouse until you are sure the new plant is pest free.

Redwood Ryan · Feb 2, 2013

KennedyMarx said:
That sucks about the spider mites.

Have you thought about mounting a small fan, like a computer fan, on the outside of the enclosure and putting it on a timer? The hole would be small enough that the humidity would still be high, but you'd have fresh air blowing in on a regular basis.

That's something I have incorporated into the designs and it has worked well, it's just the new plants that come in bring the mites with them.

Vance Wood said:
Have you thought about quarantining any new items you obtain before introducing to your main green house? It seems to me that you have identified the source of your problem all you need to do is build a quarantine greenhouse until you are sure the new plant is pest free.

Phew, when I saw that you replied I was afraid that you were going to blast me out for growing the way I grow, but glad to see otherwise

(it seems to be the more experienced growers that don't approve of what I do

).

But yes, thank you, I have thought about a separate space to keep new trees, but not a separate greenhouse. I like the way you think

Alex DeRuiter · Feb 2, 2013

Have you considered one of those "cool" humidifiers? They soak water up in these foam-like things that surround a fan that blows it out. The fan provides air flow and it still humidifies the greenhouse. That's what I use and I've never had a problem with pests. *crosses fingers*

I think I have this one: http://www.amazon.com/Vicks-V3500N-...=1359827586&sr=8-14&keywords=vicks+humidifier

Redwood Ryan · Feb 2, 2013

Alex DeRuiter said:
Have you considered one of those "cool" humidifiers? They soak water up in these foam-like things that surround a fan that blows it out. The fan provides air flow and it still humidifies the greenhouse. That's what I use and I've never had a problem with pests. *crosses fingers*

I think I have this one: http://www.amazon.com/Vicks-V3500N-...=1359827586&sr=8-14&keywords=vicks+humidifier

I've got a "warm" humidifier, but it doesn't really have a fan to it that would create a flow, but I will definitely look into that one, thanks!

Redwood Ryan · Feb 2, 2013

All finished. I added a plexiglass door, sealed off the top, and we're ready to roll. I attached the plexiglass via velcro tape so it can be easily taken off, moved, etc.

Alex DeRuiter · Feb 2, 2013

I'm gonna have to have you come up here and build me one of those. lol -- Mine looks shoddy, but it's all wood and was made during the infancy of my carpentry "career," so yeah...lol -- Nice work.

Redwood Ryan · Feb 2, 2013

Alex DeRuiter said:
I'm gonna have to have you come up here and build me one of those. lol -- Mine looks shoddy, but it's all wood and was made during the infancy of my carpentry "career," so yeah...lol -- Nice work.

Piece of cake

I chose PVC over wood since PVC won't rot in high humidity and it can very easily be cut, great to work with.

I'll run some tests on this one while I mix up some anti-mite solution.

bumblebee · Feb 2, 2013

I built a shade structure/greenhouse outside with PVC pipes. I like them because they go together like tinkertoys.

Redwood Ryan · Feb 2, 2013

Defoliated two Ficus and stuck them in here. I find that defoliating trees when they have mites usually works well. Since the mites live on the leaves, removing the leaves (aka their food source) usually rids them of the trees. That and the fact that I sprayed them with neem oil should work well

Redwood Ryan · Feb 11, 2013

My 4 foot, 6 bulb, T5 arrived today. It's pretty dang bright.

Bill S · Feb 15, 2013

Ryan, have you tried the soap alcohol solution, I used it with volk oil and it seems to have worked. Worst year for me from the little buggers, was using Safers, when I found my spray bottle that had fallen behind some things I sprayed all down, and things have come under controll.

Redwood Ryan · Feb 15, 2013

Bill S said:
Ryan, have you tried the soap alcohol solution, I used it with volk oil and it seems to have worked. Worst year for me from the little buggers, was using Safers, when I found my spray bottle that had fallen behind some things I sprayed all down, and things have come under controll.

Thanks Bill, I have tried "Carls Soap Solution", which is just vegetable oil and dish soap mixed together. However, I didn't use it frequently enough and couldn't keep the population of mites down. Neem Oil seems to work pretty well though.

A Random User · Feb 15, 2013

Spider Mites don't like water...
And with the amount of moisture you have going on,
seems a bit odd.

Redwood Ryan · Feb 15, 2013

sawgrass said:
Spider Mites don't like water...
And with the amount of moisture you have going on,
seems a bit odd.

I don't think it's been proven that high humidity kills them, just that it slows their reproduction (that's what I've gathered through research at least).

Vance Wood · Feb 15, 2013

Redwood Ryan said:
I don't think it's been proven that high humidity kills them, just that it slows their reproduction (that's what I've gathered through research at least).

Just a thought and not to be taken as gospel, just my observation from years of dealing with these little boogers. It is my understanding that once spider mites get a foot hold is usually when you notice that a tree doesn't look right, mostly a kind of grey color. This means the infestation is already in full destruct mode and must be dealt with immediately or you are going to lose a tree. You don't have time for slow long term solutions about humidity and watering which are unproven to me, you need to act and soon. The solution of Oil, green dish washing soap, and denatured alcohol is your best option. It kills stuff now, not tomorrow, not a week from tomorrow. It kills by physically assaulting the pest. I have seen this stuff kill a very large spider in seconds.

Redwood Ryan · Feb 15, 2013

Vance Wood said:
Just a thought and not to be taken as gospel, just my observation from years of dealing with these little boogers. It is my understanding that once spider mites get a foot hold is usually when you notice that a tree doesn't look right, mostly a kind of grey color. This means the infestation is already in full destruct mode and must be dealt with immediately or you are going to lose a tree. You don't have time for slow long term solutions about humidity and watering which are unproven to me, you need to act and soon. The solution of Oil, green dish washing soap, and denatured alcohol is your best option. It kills stuff now, not tomorrow, not a week from tomorrow. It kills by physically assaulting the pest. I have seen this stuff kill a very large spider in seconds.

Thanks Vance, that's a great point. I find that oil seems to work since it smothers them, I just never seem to get on a schedule where I apply it often enough.

What I've found to be helpful to get rid of a bad infestation, is a full defoliation, then a treatment of neem to get rid of any on the tree itself, then a quick wash in the shower. Removing the buggers food source seems to make them leave.

Vance Wood · Feb 15, 2013

Redwood Ryan said:
Thanks Vance, that's a great point. I find that oil seems to work since it smothers them, I just never seem to get on a schedule where I apply it often enough.

What I've found to be helpful to get rid of a bad infestation, is a full defoliation, then a treatment of neem to get rid of any on the tree itself, then a quick wash in the shower. Removing the buggers food source seems to make them leave.

The problem with that treatment, as good as it seems, you cannot do it with everything. I grow mostly Pines and Junipers and I sure can use that technique.

GrimLore · Feb 16, 2013

These are good for PVC projects, no sawing or chips.

Re-Thinking Things

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