Gnats and soil issues. Please help!

10 years ago

I have had a Meyer lemon for over two years (among other citrus - I've become obsessed ;-). I have had it potted in regular potting soil mixed with perlite and vermiculite. It has done well and last year I had about 36 juicy lemons that we harvested. It now has many small lemons on it and is losing some leaves. It has done this before in the winter so I am not terribly worried about this....I believe this is normal. I repotted it this summer along with a Key Lime and another Meyer. This time I used potting soil, a bit of compost, vermiculite and perlite. It is pretty well draining. Then I think I made a mistake - I fed them a granular fertilizer which covered the top, although I tried to mix it into the soil (this was maybe a couple of months ago). Now the pots have TONS of gnats! I don't know how to get rid of them or even if I should be worried. I do not overwater them, the pots drain well, and they will go outdoors soon when it is a bit warmer. However, I am still a bit worried. I do check them for spider mites and eradicate them when necessary. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Featured Answer

myermike_1micha

10 years ago

Any mix you use with organic material in it will harbor gnats over time. You have to re pot every 3 months or so to avoid them or use a much more porous mix without all the additional compost things...

If you looked at the container forums you would see how organic and finer soil mixes worked in containers, you would understand why the gnat problems exist...))

If you could use a link, just ask me..)

Mike

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Comments (8)

Laura LaRosa (7b)
Original Author
10 years ago
I would love a link Mike...thank you! I don't think I should re-pot so soon after...or should I? I was kind of hoping that once they went outside, they would go away! Perhaps not. I will be making the gritty mix...would you repot??
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myermike_1micha
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
If it were my tree, I would find a way to make the mix to dry out much faster until the spring gets here..I would also place your tree in a very very sunny warm spot...Or you could use a wick method to make the soil dry out faster more evenly discouraging those nasty flies..

Too, I would stop using organics and add nothing of an organic material into the mix...There is also a mosquito dunk that the big box stores sell that would kill the larva before they even hatch...I think someone here would be able to tell you the name..

You could get away from re potting as long as you encourage the mix to dry out quicker, fool the perched water to come out your pot, and encourage the soil to dry throughout...

Here's a link)

http://forums2.gardenweb.com/discussions/2842847/container-soils-water-movement-and-retention-xxii?n=407
johnmerr
10 years ago
It's that "bit of compost" that has attracted the gnats; and whether you believe it or not, the soil is a bit too moist.
Laura LaRosa (7b)
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks guys! John, I believe you, and Mike, I agree. I need to let it dry out more. I am afraid to hurt the tree, but I do check with my finger and do not water unless the top two inches (or thereabouts) are dry. The trees are happy (or they appear to be)...lots of new growth. They are in a pretty bright spot surrounded by south - east facing windows. I'll take a picture. Until they go outdoors, I don't have a brighter location, and bulbs are out of the question. I don't the time, space, or energy for artificial lighting ;-)
Laura LaRosa (7b)
Original Author
10 years ago
It's hard to tell what is what, but there are three Meyer lemons, one Persian lime, and one Key Lime visible.
myermike_1micha
10 years ago
They all look so nice, for now..Did you ever tell us where you live or what zone you are?
Laura LaRosa (7b)
Original Author
10 years ago
Mike, I live in Annapolis, Maryland. I bring them in usually late November, although I heard the Key lime is more susceptible to cold, so that one may have to come in earlier. It's hard to see from the pic, but they are all sprouting and flowering in places. The three newer trees are lanky...that's how they came from Fast Trees. I was wondering how to trim them to thicken them up, but don't want to trim anything now.