by Rincon-Vitova Insectary Aphids Aphids suck plant sap, which causes distortion of leaves and shoots and reduces plant vigor. As aphids feed, they produce sticky honeydew, which attracts sooty molds, and reduces photosynthetic capacity. Some species also transmit plant viruses. Identification Aphids are soft-bodied, pear-shaped insects, 1/16-1/8 inch long. Most are wingless, but some have […]
by Rincon-Vitova Insectary Whiteflies are not flies but are related to honeydew producing pests like aphids, scales, mealybugs. They have piercing, needlelike mouthparts to suck sap from plants. Large populations can cause plant distortion, discoloration, yellow or silvering of leaves, leaves to fall off plants, and serious crop losses. Some whiteflies transmit viruses […]
by Rincon-Vitova Insectary Ants There are more than 12,400 species of ants throughout the world. In California, there are about 270 species, but fewer than a dozen are important pests. Ants interfere with biological control. Honeydew-secreting pests, like aphids, supply sweet food to the ants. In turn, ants protect the pests from beneficial insects that […]
Green Coast Radio is hosting a bubble hash making workshop on April 29 in Ventura County California with the one and only Dank Duchess. This four hour hash making course is geared towards growers, novice and experienced hash makers alike. This is an intimate workshop with only 12 student spaces available, so space will fill […]
by Rincon-Vitova Insectary Earwigs Easily recognizable pests in the garden and active at night, earwigs hide in tight, dark, moist places during the day. True omnivores, they actually are important predators of aphids, insect eggs, but will eat almost all parts of flowering plants, especially soft tissue, like newly forming buds in cannabis. Identification The […]
by Rincon-Vitova Insectary Leafhoppers Leafhoppers feed on leaves and stems with piercing sucking mouthparts that extract a bit of fluid from the plant. Most have insignificant effects. A few species cause small, light flecking/stippling injury may occur at the feeding site. Black sooty mold is a secondary outbreak from their honeydew. Although some leafhoppers transmit […]
by Rincon-Vitova Insectary Grasshoppers Most grasshoppers are general feeders, but they prefer young green plants and some annual flowers. Chewing mouthparts make large, round, smooth holes in leaves. Heavy infestations can strip plants to stalks. During major outbreaks they feed on almost any green plant, and damage may occur over a considerably longer period. Identification […]
by Rincon-Vitova If you’ve grown cannabis indoors, you know how annoying fungus gnats can be. They mostly fly around my grow space reminding that I’m over watering my plants. The best way to fight these garden pests is to get to know them. The following notes about Fungus Gnats were sent over from the insectary […]
By Alex Robles Not to long ago when you would talk about hemp oil, people knew you were talking about hemp seed oil. Now a days with the popularity of “hemp derived CBD oil” it’s not so simple. The term “Hemp Oil” has turned into this marketing tool that seems designed to confuse us. […]