Diatomaceous Earth in CP soil

Diatomaceous Earth in CP soil#377290

By BobbYoung -  Tue Apr 06, 2021 1:59 am
Posts:  6
Joined:  Tue Jan 05, 2021 2:16 pm

- Tue Apr 06, 2021 1:59 am #377290

Can I use diatomaceous Earth (DE) in my peat/perlite or other soil mixes for carnivorous plants? I use it in mixes for my other plants and works great as a pest preventative. I did search the forum about DE but didn’t get a definitive answer so I thought I’d ask. I appreciate any response. Thank you guys/gals

Re: Diatomaceous Earth in CP soil#377292

By optique -  Tue Apr 06, 2021 2:02 am
Location:  Greenville SC
Posts:  1925
Joined:  Fri May 24, 2019 11:15 pm

- Tue Apr 06, 2021 2:02 am #377292

I have never seen a pest in my 50/50 peat perlite. What are you getting?

Re: Diatomaceous Earth in CP soil#377296

By BobbYoung -  Tue Apr 06, 2021 2:20 am
Posts:  6
Joined:  Tue Jan 05, 2021 2:16 pm

- Tue Apr 06, 2021 2:20 am #377296

Every once and awhile I’ll see a fungus gnat. I use grow tents for sowing seeds, propagating and growing cps in general. I like to have as much of a controlled environment as I can. I use oscillating fans for air circulation but my tents are warm and humid so I’d like to use DE as a preventative if it doesn’t harm carnivorous plants. That’s it. Thanks

Re: Diatomaceous Earth in CP soil#377299

By ChefDean -  Tue Apr 06, 2021 2:38 am
Location:  Clarksville, TN
Posts:  9365
Joined:  Tue Sep 18, 2018 12:44 am

- Tue Apr 06, 2021 2:38 am #377299

The biggest flaw with DE is that it needs to be dry to work to control pests. Carnivorous plant media is, with rare exceptions, always damp if not swimming.
If you use it around your pots/trays, that would work. If you were to top dress your pots with sand, then top dress with DE, and only water from the bottom, that might work for a while.
I've always found that if I have some little flying turds bothering my plants, laying eggs in my media, the best solution is more carnivorous plants! Pinguicula and Cape sundews.

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Re: Diatomaceous Earth in CP soil#377302

By optique -  Tue Apr 06, 2021 4:07 am
Location:  Greenville SC
Posts:  1925
Joined:  Fri May 24, 2019 11:15 pm

- Tue Apr 06, 2021 4:07 am #377302

A 4 inch pot with 10+ capes in it, placed near the light source should solve most gnat issues

Re: Diatomaceous Earth in CP soil#377447

By tommyr -  Thu Apr 08, 2021 1:44 pm
Location:  Mid Hudson valley of New York
Posts:  1753
Joined:  Mon Nov 02, 2009 1:38 am

- Thu Apr 08, 2021 1:44 pm #377447

If you're getting fungus gnats buy a package of "Mosquito dunks" at the garden center. It is BT. Put one quarter of one in your watering can or a small chunk in the water tray. This will kill the larvae in the soil and stop future generations. It is all natural and safe. But give it some time to work. Use sticky traps and manually kill the adults.

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