Beener

I can't find the studies I have so I'll post this here.

Did you know that most insect attacks are caused by plant stress? It's been found that plants emit certain wave lengths when under stress. These wave lengths work as a locating beacon for pests.

This is why we find ourselves asking the question "where did they all come from"? It's also why you can go through several weeks of grow without seeing an insect anywhere. Then suddenly...there they are.

It's also the reason that usually only one type of insect attacks at a time. The insects react to "certain" wave lenghts, and depending on the type of stress, a plant will produce different wave lengths.

I'm speaking of indoor infestation here, not the occasional leaf bite outdoors.

The key to repelling insect attacks is keeping your plant healthy. So if you experience an insect infestation attack, ask yourself what's causing the plant to call out to the insects (or emit these signals) in the first place? Then correct it.

It's been said in these studies I have around here somewhere That "insects don't attack healthy plants"

Thought I would share that.

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Beener

Tofit

You know plants also emit signals that bring in helpful organisms or symbiants. The tobacco plant releases a signal when it senses a catapiller munching on its leaves, then a wasp senses the signal and lays its larva in the catapiller killing it. Wasps are picky too, certain wasps go for certain catapillers and research suggests that the plant signal indicates what kind of catapiller it is to the wasp.

BaadPuTthyKat

Great thread Beener,

The reason I use micro-rhizal & bio in the root system is because I read about plant stress. This often originates in the root system. Minor stress here will magnify topside stresses. I figure spending a few $ now, on something I just add to the nutes but will protect the plant from attack is money saved.. and buds saved. And human stress

My grow shop man ( he's one of the best in UK IMO), says that the folks who buy these beneficial microbes don't come back for TorQ, or anything else, because their grows don't get infested. The 2 products I use are both from Hydrotops (UK firm). Bactivator is used from the start, and Triple F is for flowering. The Triple F has a growing rep for upping yield, yet contains no N P K for the plants at all. Cool huh? Just a bunch of micro fungi & bacteria.

These do all kinds of work for you below ground, digesting dead roots before nasties can find them, ionic uptake improvements, preventing anaerobic bugs from finding a home, etc etc.

The idea that the plant is able to signal to the right predator for the attacking insect is pretty amazing really. They are talking to a brick wall indoors I suppose.

I have noticed that any insect problem DOES tend to start on a weaker plant. A healthy, genetically identical plant, right next to it can be free of any insects.

Nobody deliberately grows an unhealthy plant, but I do think that many people fail to understand what makes a plant tick... We give them big swings in light, heat, RH, pH, feeds, water, air, etc etc. While they have evolved to handle all of these, stability & smooth changes in these factors seem important to me.

Beener

Tofit, I've also seen this. I've seen in many cases where certain types of wasps are simply introduced to crop areas where potential pests are their prey. There's a lot more going on than most people realize.

BaadPuTthyKat, Thanks. It sounds like your shops over there are much further ahead in the use of beneficial microbes than they are here.

I haven't found anyone around me that carries beneficial microbes, so I have to grow my own from different organic materials.

There is quite a bit available on the internet in the way of root innoculants etc., But I hate waiting for anything in the mail. I like to work on things all at once.

It's funny to see actually (to me anyway). I have 20 and 30 gallon bins all over the place here. Growing soil microbes in each, and mixing at the end. I started my soil mix a month ago, it wont be ready for at least another 3 to 4 weeks

I've known what I would say if my plants were found, but what the he** do you say if someone sees 125 gallons of what appears to be different dirts, split up all over the place.

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Beener

BaadPuTthyKat

I've known what I would say if my plants were found, but what the he** do you say if someone sees 125 gallons of what appears to be different dirts, split up all over the place.

Beener! Awesome idea! You could admit to having a scat fetish ? Do you use mushroom compost? I have heard good things... loaded with good microbes.

Canna do a small canister of just one micro-rhizal, the Hydrotops 'bactivator' & 'Triple F' have dozens. I'm no expert really, just know that this 5h1t is valuable; a problem averted is free time & money & extra buds.

Beener

That's one of the only fetishes I'll pass on.

Mushroom compost is easy to find here where I am. Very reasonable prices too. When it warms up, I'm going to start cheating to make good aerobic compost teas.

I'll take some different composts out back. I'll feed it with small amounts of fine meals and water containing a little molasses. A little fresh compost from time to time, it's inexpensive. I can get a 50# bag for $4 dollars.

Then I'll take some compost out and brew a good tea in a bucket with an aquarium pump I have, and more water and molasses (from time to time I'll add some kelp, alfalfa, worm castings). When it's done brewing, I'll return the soilds to the container and mix it back in to repopulate the microbes.

I'm moving next summer, and a good size real compost pile in the backyard probably wouldn't be a great selling point.

I'm going to look for the brands of beneficials you use online. I don't know why they're so hard too find here. I usually drive way out to farm country to find supplies. I've never seen them at the hydro store either.

You should have seen the look on the face of an old time farmer when I asked him about bat guano a couple of weeks ago. You could tell that he thought about it for a second. He realized you could use it as a fertilizer, but couldn't figure out why the he!! you would.

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Beener

BaadPuTthyKat

Here's what I use now, the bactivator, & what I used to use, from Canna. The Triple F, from Hydrotops is just for resin & extra flowers. I left that at the BB and forgot to get a piccy. They all work in soil or hydro..& overdoes isn't a possibility. No insects at all this year yet, except a wasp and a ladybug or two. I think they moved to a different dining room, due to lack of anything on the menu...

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Xgone.

Beener and Kat,

I was just searching the forums and stumbled upon this gem of a thread. You guys rock. Whatta great theory Beener!!!

I figured i should bump this thread back up because it definately deserves a read and I guess I missed it the first time around.

grass_hopper

Thanks for the bump xenon Otherwise I might have missed this one.

Plants transpire all sorts of things as a part of their natural life cycle. Bugs are very sensitive to the smells and hormones emitted from leaves. They can tell the difference between a healthy plant and a stressed plant as easily as we can tell the difference between fresh and spoiled milk. That's Darwinism in action for ya - take down the weak and the sick and make room for the healthy.

There are some bugs that will attack anything, even healthy plants. Insects that gestate below ground, emerge in swarms, and have a short life span will eat anything they can find.

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"Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead. Do not walk in front of me, for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me either. Just pretty much leave me the hell alone."


Ancient History:
Blueberry/Mazar (started in hydro, moved outdoors)...Skunk#1/Blueberry in Soil
Botanicare 42 Site Cloner - a Review...Grass_Hopper's Butane Honey Oil (BHO) Thread

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Grow Guide...Cecil_B's CO2 Enrichment Guide...Grower's Dictionary...Getting Females From Standard Seeds

milagro

I missed it too, but not this time. Kudos to all.


milagro

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