Uprooted some bannas and they went to pot

OK, admit it, my title is click bait. Actually some friends brought over a couple pots and some soil and ask me to pot a couple pups for another friend of ours.  They have been established away from mom in the ground for some time now so they should re-establish quite well in there new mobile home.

   Here they are in the ground and then after I have them in there new pots ready for their new home.

Thetwo pups are left and right of the tree and bush

Established after he was removed from mom

Established after he was removed from mom

All potted up and ready for there new home

   I am also collecting 2x4's to make into 2x2's for a 2x2 green house I am building as I am able and old 2x4 become available.  I have used a number of old 2x2's, 2x4's, and 2x6's that are around the property because they each only need to be 5' ft long.  I hope to find several more so I do not have to buy them for this purely pet project.

At war with the soil Gnats using DE

Listen to this post as an Audio Blog

~ The soil is a bit sour.  I have been dealing with some soil gnats by regularly using 'Safe Soap' the last couple of days and it seems to work for a while and then they are back. I am letting the soil dry out as much as I dare between waterings. Since bringing Caven into the house he does not need nearly as much water so this helps.

~ I am going to try some of the solutions found here. First, since I have some and I see how it could work, I am trying an 3/16"-1/4 inches worth of food grade Diatomaceous Earth on the top soil.  

 ~ I also set a lid of vinegar on the pot soil. This seems to be getting a few adults that fly into it but I am not overly impressed.

 ~ I can see how the 'DE' should work. For one thing it will soak up some moisture from the topsoil. But the DE does need to be mostly dry as this is when it is dangerous to insects. It drys and irritates their skin like glass shards. They can NOT crawl up through the dry DE. When wet, DE is not as effective, although I do not see them crawling through the layer to any eggs in it even when wet. :)

~ CAUTION: Use only food grade DE. Use a mask when applying. Let soil dry some before applying.   Turn all room fans off while applying  Apply slowly with a sifter or perforated spoon. Use a mask. While not dangerous if ingested wet, it IS dangerous to breath. It is like glass shards to the lungs(and Gnats) when dry. Wet DE is no longer as effective. When DE dries it is again most effective. Don't let all the cautions overly scare you. After all the cautions are dealt with, remember it is chemical free, natural, cheap, and effective against insects.

~ Side Note: We have used DE cautiously and successfully against a major flea infestation one year. It worked great but you have to work hard to clean the carpets later. And it left the whole room with an earthy smell for some time.  

For the reasons given above I see this remedy being very successful.... I will update my progress.

UPDATE: Sept 16,2013 ~ I have won the war with the soil Gnats using the DE.

Spreadsheet Records Logbook Growth Details with Links and Banana Plant Terms

Banana Photo Album (All photos) Caven's Baby Picture Album

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