We in Azle are forecasted at a 36 degree low for tonight.

I started this week and got 8 tropicals in. Trying yet another method for cleanup and debugging before bringing them in. I saw a dunking method on Facebook and tried it. The plan is to submerge at least the entire pot and as much foliage as possible in soapy water for 30 minutes. Wipe down all foliage that isn't submerged with a soapy cloth. Rinse and drain before bringing inside.

My challenge was using styrofoam pots (in case you didn't think of it) will float just like a boat dock :-) I finally settled for weighing some with a brick (did not go well) and just letting them float on their side which allows only 50% of the plant to be submerged. The other challenge was that a lot of the media floated out of the pot. I hope the fresh soil doesn't have fungus gnats in it.

The remaining 4 plants are arranged (scrunched in) and will get a pretty sheet for the night.

I think we're supposed to drop to 35 tonight? I still haven't debugged any of my plants which is why they're still outside. I'd like to try that method but I don't have anything large enough to dunk my plants in. I hate using chemicals but I may have to next week?

I hate fungus gnats. One year when I didn't treat my plants, I had tons of fungus gnats flying around. They would constantly buzz in my ear or fly into my eyes or nose lol. I may get some of the Ortho stuff.

I finally used up that 20-year old bottle of Ortho systemic. Fingers crossed that I drowned them all :-)

I really hope the Ortho worked? Hopefully you won't hear or see little buzzing creatures around your house? I think one year I set little saucers of vinegar with a couple of drops of dish washing liquid around my plants and it caught quite a few adults, but I didn't keep the saucers filled properly so they came back in full force.

I forgot to check the temperature and it's 38 degrees here in Kyle. Everything is still out. :(

Omar

Pkponder I've heard this works for fungus gnats. They make these grow stones out of recycled glass for hydro media. The gnat nix is a topdressing for regular potting soil

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Growstone-Gnat-Nix-9-Liter-Chemical-Free-Fungus-Gnat-Control-Bag-GPGC33CF/49556837?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=1187&adid=22222222228037119568&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=m&wl3=58666710578&wl4=pla-91516597538&wl5=9028073&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=112549749&wl11=online&wl12=49556837&wl13=&veh=sem

Omar I hope your plants are alright? It was 34 here and it damaged a few of my houseplants but it was minor thankfully.

Todd I've heard of growstones mainly from the hoya forum. I didn't know Wal-Mart sold them.

I don't think the store would have it in stock but you can order it through the website

I use the Bayer systemic meant for citrus and bananas. Good preventive for everything from fungus gnats to grasshoppers, spider mites, and leaf rollers. They make a stronger one for ornamental trees and shrubs but I have found the one for edibles to be all I need. I flooded my winter growing irises with water last weekend and the next day the wet soil was swarming with fungus gnat. I gave a light spraying (not anywhere near the soil drench indicated on the label) and the next day the fungus gnats were gone.

All time record low of 38º predicted for Sunday morning and then a quick rebound into the 80s for my part of far South Texas.

Why would DEET be bad for plants to keep gnats and other nasties off'em?

I didn't know Bayer made a systemic for bananas and citrus, I learned something new. I've used the systemic for ornamental trees and shrubs before. This year I got Cutter brand because it was what I could afford. I hope it still works? I think we we're going to be 36 tonight so a little better compared to this morning.

true value has the glass growstones available. you order online and it delivers to your area store. trick is getting them to notify you when it arrives ….

I always wonder how systemics like the Bayer products which contain imidacloprid affect pollinators and hummingbirds.

I mainly have foliage houseplants so hopefully it won't bother any of the pollinators in my garden?