When it comes to growing cannabis, you’ll want to be sure that you’re able to keep your plants healthy and thriving. In order to do that, you’ll need to learn about some of the main causes of a plant’s death. These include Spider mites, powdery mildew, and Leaf miners.
Powdery mildew
If you’re growing marijuana, you need to be careful about powdery mildew. This fungus will attack your plants and destroy their quality. It also can have serious effects on you.
While there are commercial products that can kill the fungus, the best thing you can do is prevent it. You can do this by making sure your grow room is properly aired. There are many different ways to do this.
One of the most important things you can do to keep powdery mildew from affecting your cannabis is to control temperature and humidity. Relative humidity and temperature vary greatly between plants.
Another way to control the relative humidity in your grow room is to use fans. They should circulate air gently through the leaves of your plants.
When choosing a fan, choose one that faces away from your grow room. This will avoid microclimates. These can trap stale, humid air that can aggravate the growth of mildew.
You can also use a product that contains silica to prevent mildew spores from germinating. Silica gives the surface of the leaf a protective coating, which will prevent the spores from infecting the plant’s tissue.
Besides using fans and other devices to control the humidity, you can also remove water from the grow area. Standing water accelerates the growth of powdery mildew.
Plants are prone to powdery mildew when they are overcrowded. To avoid this, create space for your plants by removing dead foliage and pruning the canopy.
A common practice among home-gardeners is to apply neem oil to the leaves of your cannabis plants. Neem oil has a natural fungicidal effect, and it can prevent powdery mildew from forming.
Spider mites
Spider mites can be a major problem in cannabis grows. They can cause premature leaf defoliation and destroy chlorophyll, which can lead to the death of the plant.
One of the best ways to control spider mites is to use insecticidal soaps. These soaps are designed to kill the mites on contact, while leaving very little residue. Be careful to not spray the soaps directly onto buds and leaves.
Biological pesticides are also available to control spider mites. These chemicals are costly, and require large quantities. If you are looking for a more eco-friendly alternative, you can also try predatory mites.
The best way to deal with spider mites is to use a combination of different types of preventatives. For example, you can use a mix of a biological pesticide, a chemical acaricide and a natural solution.
When a spider mite infestation first begins, it can quickly spread across the plant, causing the growth rate to slow down. This is especially true in hot and dry growing conditions.
You can try to avoid these problems by keeping your garden clean and dry. You can also keep your tools clean and disinfected whenever you move between plants.
While there are some effective home remedies for spider mites, you should always do your research before trying to solve the problem. Using chemicals in your marijuana grow can leave your flowers vulnerable to other problems.
The best way to fight a spider mite infestation is to catch the mites while they are young. Adult females lay up to 100 eggs during their lifecycle, which can result in hundreds of bites per plant.
Insecticidal soaps and bio acaricides are good options for the cannabis grower. However, you should check your plant frequently to ensure that you are not missing out on a small but potentially devastating pest.
Leaf miners
Leaf miners are insects that can be found in various plants including cannabis. They are a pest that are hard to deal with. However, if you take proper care of your plant, they can be easily controlled.
Although leaf miners are considered a nuisance, they are not a significant threat to your cannabis plant. But if you have an infestation, they can cause a decrease in yield. In addition to this, they can leave a trail of damage on your plants.
The most common type of leaf miner is the Liriomyza trifolii fly. This insect lays eggs in the leaves of your plant. These eggs hatch within 10 days and the larvae burrow into the interior of the leaf.
The larvae feed on the leaf tissue for a few days. When they are full, they burrow out of the leaf and drop to the ground below.
The best way to get rid of leaf miners is to kill their larvae before they reach adulthood. There are several ways to do this. One method is to crush the tunnels with your fingers. Another method is to apply a solution containing neem oil.
You can also use trap crops to keep them away. A good trap crop to use is velvetleaf. Other good trap crops include columbine and lambs quarter.
A floating row cover is another way to stop leaf miners from invading your garden. However, these can be tricky to use on large gardens. If you have a small garden, a net designed to protect against pests is a better choice.
Lastly, there are organic solutions that can help prevent leaf miners. For instance, neem oil can help prevent the spread of leaf miners.
Birds
In addition to harmful insects, birds can be a threat to your cannabis plants. Birds are able to kill plants by stealing their seeds and eating the leaves. They also defecate on the plant and can cause the harvest to be ruined.
The earliest sign of a bird problem is a lack of seed. If this occurs, then you need to take immediate action. You can do this by using a bird feeder. This can discourage birds from destroying your crop. Other solutions include netting, shade cloth, or shiny objects.
Another threat to your cannabis crop is gophers. Gophers will eat the roots and crowns of your marijuana plants. Their holes can damage irrigation lines and create uneven water distribution.
Another type of outdoor pest is grasshoppers. These hoppers are highly mobile and can easily harm your marijuana crop. Grasshoppers can be identified by feeding marks on your plant leaves.
Another cannabis insect pest is aphids. Aphids are small insects that feed on the juices in your cannabis leaves. To identify an infestation, you can check for white powder or yellow speckles on the undersides of your leaves.
Another common pest is spider mites. Spider mites can be difficult to spot with the naked eye. Usually, they look like a cluster of spots on your leaf, although they are usually very small.
One of the most effective pesticides is neem oil. Neem is effective against aphids and other insects. Neem can be applied during the growing season or when your plant is flowering.
Another plant that can be used as a natural pesticide is pyrethrum. Pyrethrum is made from the chrysanthemum cinerariifolium.
Fungus gnats are another pest that can be difficult to kill. The adult fungus gnat is brown or white in color. It has long legs.
Extreme temperatures
While cannabis plants are fairly hardy, extreme temperatures can damage them. If you want to avoid damaging your plants, you have to plan ahead and keep your temperatures in check.
Temperatures above 85degF can stunt the growth of a plant and cause it to become more prone to disease. Having a grow tent or some other protection can help you avoid these kinds of disasters.
Likewise, cool temperatures can discourage pests and encourage the growth of healthy vegetation. However, you should not neglect to monitor your air conditioning unit. Besides, if you do not have one, it is a good idea to invest in a small space heater.
There are also other things to consider when trying to grow marijuana. Proper moisture levels, air movement, and light are all important factors. The right balance can save you from a headache later.
To get the best results, choose the proper strain. You can do this by comparing the plants’ traits, including the size and the color of the buds. Also, take a look at their terpenes. They are very important in the plant’s production of cannabinoids. Choosing the right strain will ensure that your plant has what it needs to flourish.
Lastly, be sure to watch out for the smallest possible temperature fluctuations. Too much of a difference can result in overpurpling of leaves.
In general, it’s better to leave temperatures slightly above 60degF. This can be difficult when you’re outdoors, so it’s a good idea to bring your plants indoors if the temperature drops below freezing.
During the flowering phase, cannabis plants are a bit more sensitive to temperatures, so you should try to maintain an ideal temperature range of between 70-78degF. A hygrometer can be helpful in this regard.
