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Pests in Herb Planters
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Posted: Apr/28/2008 4:10 PM PST
Hi, I'm new to this forum and I'm so glad to have found it. Hopefully, my question has not been answered yet. I haven't found it in the search. Anyway, I have 3 planter pots (8" dia.) with Sweet Basil, Italian Parsley and Chives. There are what seems to be a few small Gnats in the soil,which come out to the rim of the planter when plants are touched. Now I found some small holes in some of the leaves of the Basil. I can't find anything on the underside of the leaves under an magnifier. Does anybody have any suggestions for a safe pest control for herbs? So far I haven't found anything in the stores that can be used on herbs. Thank you in advance for any suggestions you might have. |
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Posted: Apr/29/2008 8:10 AM PST
Have you seen any insecticidal soap? I think it's called Safer's. I used to use it a lot with my herbs, but I haven't had to in a while. |
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Posted: Apr/29/2008 9:46 AM PST
Thank you, witt! I will look for the garden soap. This morning I found what is eating the Basil. There is a larvae ensconed on the side of the Basil pot. Quite a few leaves have now been halfway eaten. Thank you for your tip about the soap! |
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Posted: Apr/30/2008 8:06 AM PST
I've found gnats and small bugs alot when using potting soil. It's very annoying, but usually hasn't harmed my plants. I've found that if use dawn dish detergent and make suds with it. I wash my plants with the suds and then rinse them off good afterwards. so far I haven't killed any plants doing that and sometimes it helps. I didn't know there was plant specific soap, that's good to know! |
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Posted: Apr/30/2008 9:20 AM PST
I've heard of using just dishwashing soap. I've made a few concoctions using it myself. I'm sure that there are some other ingredients in Safer's Insecticidal Soap that is organic and keep away the little buggers. |
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Posted: May/03/2008 2:21 PM PST
Thank you both for your replies! I have not been able to find the Safer Soap but found "Insecticidal Soap" by Garden Safe at Home Depot. Our nearest Nursery is too far away and I'm not sure just how much of the dish soap to use. This product (Insecticidal Soap) says that it's good for organic gardeners and it's safe to eat the veggies,etc. the same day. It seems to work so far but I have only tried it once. Also, my Parsley is going to seed. I snip those ends off when I see them. Is it too hot for Parsley? I'm currently in the Phoenix,AZ area. Again, thanks for your thoughts! |
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Posted: May/11/2008 4:16 PM PST
Hi, I grew the Parsley from seed. Had it for about 2 months after it came up and then it started to go to seed. I suspect that the temps ( around 85*) would have caused it. Had it (the planter) sitting in the sun and gave it enough water to keep it from drying out. What went wrong? Was it the heat or too much water? I'll appreciate your input very much. Thanks! |
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Posted: May/11/2008 10:19 PM PST
From what I've read in other posts while searching for info on dill...extensive exposure to hot weather and sun causes some plants to go to seed sooner than intended. The plants mentioned were Basil and Dill in the posts that I read. Perhaps parsley is also in that group. I would try taking it out about 3 hours before sun down. That way the sun isn't so intense. Meanwhile, keep it in the shade. I actually have some parsley growing now that I planted back in late January. It was my first time planting any herbs and I planted a basil plant in front of the parsley.(also in January) Now, the basil is so tall and bushy that you can't even see the parsley without first pushing it aside! My point being.. it is so hot here everyday..so, I'm not sure if being behind the basil actually prevented it from seeding right away or maybe it can stand the heat and it's just a coincidence.. |
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Posted: May/12/2008 12:44 AM PST
I have to plant my parsley in the shade too. It will bolt in the hot sun. I don't give my basil a chance to bolt in the sun. I keep pinching it back all summer. Then at the end of summer, I let 'er rip, hoping to drop seed for next year. So far I haven't seen one basil volunteer this year. |
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Posted: May/13/2008 9:58 PM PST
Thank you both for writing. I have re-seeded some Parsley and I'll try to keep it in the shade as much as possible for now. It has come up nicely again. We're now in Palm Springs, Ca (we travel in our motor home and I don't want to give up my herbs) and it's equally hot here. We'll be ending up in Oregon, Washington for the hot summer months and the herbs should be doing fine up there. I keep pinching the Basil back too in order to keep it from blooming. Anyway, thank you for your help! |
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