Getting into spooky season, our minds turn to images of the macabre. Ghosts and ghouls floating down hallways, vampires and werewolves prowling the woods, and all manner of things that go bump in the night. While the rest of the nation is enthralled by the spindly critters lining the walls of haunted mansions, we at Purple Cow Organics are much more interested in plant health.
Because, let’s face it, nothing is scarier than a grow tent that isn’t in prime healthy condition. Sure, zombies are ‘scary,’ but you haven’t known true fear until you’ve discovered that your grow tent is crawling with spider mites. Those random white spots that suddenly appear from a thrips infestation? Talk about horror. Rather than focus on the ten million things that are out to get your cannabis, we’d much rather think about the creepy crawlies that are working in harmony with your plants!
Bugs of all types naturally exist in outdoor growing environments and will inevitably come in contact with your crop. The whole ‘thing’ with nature is that every element of an environment will encounter each other in some way and develop a relationship. Traditionally, indoor growers have attempted to cultivate sterile growing environments in the attempt to limit the number of phenomena that can have negative effects on cannabis development. Though this has been effective to a certain degree, sterile growing environments can be completely decimated when pathogens and pests inevitably make their way in. The solution? Bring nature back!
Nature has perfectly adapted different organisms to perform roles in their natural environment, which growers can rely on to perform functions such as creating healthier soil, and pest management. We highlighted a few friendly faces that you might recognize, and a few others that you may not have heard of, but that may bring benefits to your grow cycle.
Earthworms
Growers using earthworms directly in their containers have exploded in number. Worm castings are an excellent soil amendment that adds essential nutrients and microbes to any growing media. When worms are working directly in a container, growers have the added benefit of worms creating and depositing castings, aerating soil, and facilitating water penetration and drainage. Though their pest control ability is minimal compared to the predator species that growers can introduce to tents and greenhouses, earthworms will consume some fly and gnat larvae that grow in the soil, aiding in pest management.
Ladybugs
Best known for aphid management, ladybugs are beloved by gardeners and organic growers for pest management. A single ladybug has the ability to consume 5000 aphids in its 2 to 3-year lifespan. Ladybugs lay their eggs amongst any aphid colonies that may be present, this is where the hard-hitting pest management comes in. The larvae can consume 300 aphids per day and will eat the eggs of other pest species such as mites, thrips, and beetles.
Green Lacewings
Green Lacewings are another powerhouse in indoor pest management, with their diet consisting of spider mites, aphids, thrips, mites, flies, and leafhoppers. Don’t let their delicate appearance fool you, these insects are voracious hunters. Similarly to ladybugs, lacewing adults will lay eggs among or near aphid colonies, to provide young insects plenty of nutrition once they emerge. Lacewing larvae are reported to bite, so be careful when handling plants after you’ve added lacewings to your grow tent!
Rove Beetle
Fungal gnats are a bane of growers, both beginners and experts, because they can be so difficult to get rid of. The best pest prevention for getting rid of fungal gnats is to target their larvae in the soil, which is where the Rove Beetle comes in! These soil-dwelling insects thrive on soil-based pests and reproduce quickly to beat down pest pressure. Rove beetles are also skilled at managing springtails, shore flies, and thrips.
Praying Mantis
The sentinels of cannabis grow rooms, praying mantises are classic in greenhouse pest control. Not only do they add to the atmosphere of a grow tent, but they are stealthy and patient hunters that can take care of pests like caterpillars, whiteflies, aphids, and many more. Though these insects are particularly popular with outdoor growers, they are treasured by indoor growers and add a layer of mystery to any environment. Praying mantises are notorious cannibals, so you will want to try and keep them separate from each other.
Thinking about a grow tent where the soil is moving and shifting with life, while insects swarm in the air around your head? If you’re not crazy about bugs, it might be driving you a little insane. The abundance of critters working in your environment might wig you out, but it’s just an up-close and personal look at how nature is working to create healthier plants! The crawly creepies that might make you think of living Halloween décor, are simply managing the balance in their environment.
Want to know how to bring the wild back to your grow tent? Contact our experts for tips on the right companions for your cannabis!