Diatomaceous Earth Usage?

[MissS]

Originally Posted by Starlight

Does DE work in the soil of containers? I was wondering if it would be beneficial to mix a little in the soil of my containers. I have to many beneficials that hang around, so I don't want to do leaves of anything, but I wondered if it would work on them pesky fungus gnat larvae in the soil of the seedlings.

I would doubt that it would have much effect. The product needs to be in a dry state in order to work on the pests. I use Mosquito Dunks mixed into my water for fungus gnats. It too is organic using Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies Israelensis to kill the immature nymphs.

[TexasTycoon]

Originally Posted by MissS

I would doubt that it would have much effect. The product needs to be in a dry state in order to work on the pests. I use Mosquito Dunks mixed into my water for fungus gnats. It too is organic using Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies Israelensis to kill the immature nymphs.

I use the same method for controlling fungus gnats and it worked for me all summer last year. I use a watering can exclusively, living in an apartment, so I just pop a dunk into my watering can and let it sit with water in it overnight to dissolve a bit into the water. Very cheap and very effective!

[Starlight]

Originally Posted by MissS

I would doubt that it would have much effect. The product needs to be in a dry state in order to work on the pests. I use Mosquito Dunks mixed into my water for fungus gnats. It too is organic using Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies Israelensis to kill the immature nymphs.

Originally Posted by TexasTycoon

I use the same method for controlling fungus gnats and it worked for me all summer last year. I use a watering can exclusively, living in an apartment, so I just pop a dunk into my watering can and let it sit with water in it overnight to dissolve a bit into the water. Very cheap and very effective!

Thank you both! Next time I go to town, I'll pick me up some. About how much water to one dunk and how often do you use it, please.

[MissS]

Originally Posted by Starlight

Thank you both! Next time I go to town, I'll pick me up some. About how much water to one dunk and how often do you use it, please.

I purchase mine at Wally World. They are doughnut shaped disks. I break mine up into chunks that are about 1/8 - 1/4th of the doughnut. I put it in my watering can and then break it up with my hand. My watering cans are 1 and 3 gallons. I use the mix about every 2-3 weeks for indoor plants. I do not bother to use it outdoors. I just water the plants with it normally.
It works quite well for me.

[Stvrob]

I don't understand all the discussion about dissolving diatomaceous earth in water, whether for spraying, or in a watering can. How are you all getting it to dissolve? By its formula, it should be one of the least soluble materials most of us will ever encounter. I've tried to dissolve it in hot water, cold water, 5% HCl solution and each time its solubility is no greater than zero? What is the trick to dissolving it?

[RayR]

Originally Posted by Stvrob

I don't understand all the discussion about dissolving diatomaceous earth in water, whether for spraying, or in a watering can. How are you all getting it to dissolve? By its formula, it should be one of the least soluble materials most of us will ever encounter. I've tried to dissolve it in hot water, cold water, 5% HCl solution and each time its solubility is no greater than zero? What is the trick to dissolving it?

It doesn't dissolve, it's a suspension.

[heirloomtomaguy]

Im guessing when added to water your making more of an elixer than an actual disolved mixture. The TDS has to be through the roof and the spray nozzle must have to be a pretty big diameter to push it through.

[RayR]

Originally Posted by heirloomtomaguy

Im guessing when added to water your making more of an elixer than an actual disolved mixture. The TDS has to be through the roof and the spray nozzle must have to be a pretty big diameter to push it through.

The DE is ground up to a consistency like talcum powder. The fine particles are suspended in the water, but you have to agitate it because some will settle out otherwise.
Very little TDS because the SiO2 is insoluble. Any dissolved solids would be from any ionic impurities attached to the particles. SiO2 does have a very slow reaction with H2O to form orthosilicic acid.
PH range is neutral

[heirloomtomaguy]

Originally Posted by RayR

The DE is ground up to a consistency like talcum powder. The fine particles are suspended in the water, but you have to agitate it because some will settle out otherwise.
Very little TDS because the SiO2 is insoluble. Any dissolved solids would be from any ionic impurities attached to the particles. SiO2 does have a very slow reaction with H2O to form orthosilicic acid.
PH range is neutral

Cool good to know. I think i will stick with dry application for now since i bought the Dustin Mizer.

[Gerardo]

It's a slurry. If possible put it through cheesecloth, gauze pad, buchner funnel, something that catches the bigger chunks, or place a filter on the intake inside the tank.

The stuff you spray dries and leaves a fine film of Punji-stick DE, ready to greet all insects both friend and foe. A couple of applications can put the brakes on any visitor, although you have to space them far enough to catch all the stragglers (life cycle, nymphs,+...). It is good stuff.

Plays well with other slurries.

[TexasTycoon]

Originally Posted by Starlight

Thank you both! Next time I go to town, I'll pick me up some. About how much water to one dunk and how often do you use it, please.

I use one dunk for a 2 gallon watering can. I don't break it up or anything, I just drop the ring in the can, fill with water, and let it sit overnight to leech into the water. I use it outside on my apartment patio, to deal with fungus gnats and mosquitoes (I've heard it's also effective against hornworms). There may be a better way to use it if you have more plants than I do, but it works best for me that way. Last year I also had a planter that was like an EarthBox (no room for it this year) and I placed a mosquito dunk ring into the reservoir which worked well. The dunks are pet safe (my aunt uses them in her horses' watering trough) as well.

[Stvrob]

Originally Posted by RayR

The DE is ground up to a consistency like talcum powder. The fine particles are suspended in the water, but you have to agitate it because some will settle out otherwise.
Very little TDS because the SiO2 is insoluble. Any dissolved solids would be from any ionic impurities attached to the particles. SiO2 does have a very slow reaction with H2O to form orthosilicic acid.
PH range is neutral

Ok, that explains it. My Diatomaceous earth product is granular, about medium sand size. I use it for seed starting mix.

[efisakov]

Few years ago Robin posted this:
RobinB: “…diatomaceous earth and an empty spray bottle, put one T of DE into a 32oz bottle, fill with water and shake until the DE dissolves. Then spray those plants with spider mites. When it dries you will see a white film on the plant. Reapply after it rains.”

It worked for me.

For the fungus gnats larvae ...
I use mixture of water and Peroxide (4 to 1) on my seedlings 1-2 times a week for prevention or to stop infestation. Just watering soil.
I do dust soil of seedlings with DE as well.

In the garden, marigolds help with fungus gnats. The roots are poisoned to larvae.

[b54red]

Originally Posted by Stvrob

Ok, that explains it. My Diatomaceous earth product is granular, about medium sand size. I use it for seed starting mix.

You want to get the food grade DE which is very fine for mixing in water.

Bill

[Starlight]

Originally Posted by efisakov

Few years ago Robin posted this:
RobinB: “…diatomaceous earth and an empty spray bottle, put one T of DE into a 32oz bottle, fill with water and shake until the DE dissolves. Then spray those plants with spider mites. When it dries you will see a white film on the plant. Reapply after it rains.”

It worked for me.

For the fungus gnats larvae ...
I use mixture of water and Peroxide (4 to 1) on my seedlings 1-2 times a week for prevention or to stop infestation. Just watering soil.
I do dust soil of seedlings with DE as well.

In the garden, marigolds help with fungus gnats. The roots are poisoned to larvae.

Thanks for that tip on the fungus gnats. I'll give it a try. The fungus gnats are bad outside right now and going in and out they come right on in with you. grrrrr.

Originally Posted by b54red

You want to get the food grade DE which is very fine for mixing in water.

Bill

Does it say food grade somewhere on the package?