Thrip vs Nematode
 

I picked up a "Million nematode sponge" at the hydroponic/marijuana grow store (I live in Oregon). They are marketed for normal plants. Evidently you wring out the sponge in a gallon of water and then use the water to spray or soak into the soil and the nematodes feed on the eggs and larva of the thrips.

Anybody ever try this with orchids? Does the bark media provide a happy nematode home? What about LECA?

I'm also looking at imacloprid, pyrethrin, spinosad, and sns-209.

ummm...just asking for a friend.

EDIT: Found some additional information. The sponge has two different species, Steinernema carpocapsae and Heterorhabditis heliothedis. It says they do better if the soil doesn't dry out, so actually SH might be good.

Please let us know.

For the benefit of people in other parts of the world, I will try to explain laws in the US regarding cannabis. It remains illegal everywhere, according to the laws of the United States Federal government.

Various individual States permit citizens to submit laws to be voted on in elections. In some States these laws have led to cannabis, cannabis products, and cannabis extracts being made available for medicinal use. In a few States cannabis has been made available for anybody who wishes to get high.

Our Federal government has, so far, chosen to look the other way with regard to regulated cannabis dispensaries, and regulated growing of cannabis, in States which have legalized it. As a result, several States permit individuals to grow cannabis for personal use. In States with awful climates for warm-growing plants, like Oregon, many people grow cannabis indoors, under lights, with hydroponics.

But, importation and unregulated growing are still targeted by the Federal government.

All of this has been a bonanza for gardeners. There are almost as many hydroponics stores as there are churches and bars. We now have easy access to lighting systems, hydroponic media, fertilizers, rooting hormone preparations, various potting mixes, and many other things big box home improvement stores do not carry. And the people who work there are extremely knowledgeable.

Here in Arizona, the law permits individuals not living within 20 miles of a licensed cannabis dispensary to grow cannabis. Before the dispensaries were up and running, a huge number of hydroponics shops opened. The dispensaries, licensed by the State, were carefully sited by the State, so 95% of the population does live within 20 miles of a dispensary. This means very few people can legally grow their own cannabis. This led to a great reduction in the number of hydroponics shops.

I'm in Portland too and I battle thrips. They never attack in large numbers and don't do too much damage for me, but they are tough to fully eradicate. Pesticides require multiple applications and systemic fertilizer doesn't concentrate in flowers in concentrations high enough to kill thrips (I've tried imidacloprid). Anxious to hear if this works..

Hows your battle with thrips coming along? Did the nematodes do the trick?