We've Moved! Visit our NEW FORUM to join the latest discussions. This is an archive of our previous conversations...

You can find the login page for the old forum here.
CHATPRIVACYDONATELOGINREGISTER
DMT-Nexus
FAQWIKIHEALTH & SAFETYARTATTITUDEACTIVE TOPICS
What are these bugs on my cactus? Options
 
Nathaniel
#1 Posted : 7/22/2018 2:49:21 PM

Nathaniel


Posts: 224
Joined: 29-Jul-2011
Last visit: 06-Nov-2021
Location: Floating in space




I recently cut a branch of my San Pedro and discovered some little bugs crawling around on and in the open flesh. It was hard to get a good picture of them, but there are more of these little buggers. They aren't on the actual cuttings that I took, nor do they seem to be on the rest of the cactus.

They don't seem to resemble any typical cactus pests, so does anybody know what they are? I've never had to deal with pests before so I'm unsure of what to do.

Please and thank you for any help! I know I haven't been on the Nexus in a while, but I usually come back around growing season Smile
You are me and I am you, I'll always be with you...
 

Explore our global analysis service for precise testing of your extracts and other substances.
 
Auxin
#2 Posted : 7/22/2018 5:46:37 PM

DMT-Nexus member


Posts: 557
Joined: 12-Jul-2012
Last visit: 01-Jan-2021
I've seen those things many times, they live in organic-rich potting soil and I suspect they eat fungus or something. They never seemed to hurt anything.
If you want that cut to callous up faster to protect it just point a small fan at it for half a day.
 
Nathaniel
#3 Posted : 7/23/2018 4:16:07 AM

Nathaniel


Posts: 224
Joined: 29-Jul-2011
Last visit: 06-Nov-2021
Location: Floating in space


Thanks for your response, I appreciate it. Here is another look. They seem to be growing pretty quickly so that's why I was really concerned. I already cut off some of this branch because of the bugs, but then they appeared here as well. You are right, as far as I can tell they aren't hurting the plant. I've never seen this sort of thing before.

You are me and I am you, I'll always be with you...
 
Peverly
#4 Posted : 7/23/2018 6:43:57 PM

DMT-Nexus member


Posts: 98
Joined: 17-Feb-2018
Last visit: 16-Jul-2023
Auxin wrote:
I've seen those things many times, they live in organic-rich potting soil and I suspect they eat fungus or something. They never seemed to hurt anything.


I have also seen these buggers countless times. I think they are Fungus Gnats or something very similar. Right now there's some in my cacti humidor box but they don't really DO anything, as stated above I too think they just feed on nutrient rich soil and fungi. When I open my box some fly out or stay in but Ive given up on eradicating. I think they just like moisture. Check the surface of your growing medium to see if that is where they are coming from.

Assuming that is what you're dealing with.
β€œMy brain is only a receiver, in the Universe there is a core from which we obtain knowledge, strength and inspiration. I have not penetrated into the secrets of this core, but I know that it exists.”

― Nikola Tesla
 
Wolfnippletip
#5 Posted : 7/23/2018 8:06:24 PM

DMT-Nexus member

Senior Member

Posts: 673
Joined: 04-Jul-2015
Last visit: 12-Feb-2024
Looks like some type of Thrip to me, but I can't see them very well. If it's thrips they will damage your cacti, especially new growth.
My flesh moves, like liquid. My mind is cut loose.
 
downwardsfromzero
#6 Posted : 7/23/2018 11:21:34 PM

Boundary condition

ModeratorChemical expert

Posts: 8617
Joined: 30-Aug-2008
Last visit: 16-Mar-2024
Location: square root of minus one
Nathaniel, looks like you need to get a sharper knife - that's one rough cut!


Those critters appear to be attracted by the still-damp cut surface so if you can put your plant somewhere dry for a few days that may help.




β€œThere is a way of manipulating matter and energy so as to produce what modern scientists call 'a field of force'. The field acts on the observer and puts him in a privileged position vis-à-vis the universe. From this position he has access to the realities which are ordinarily hidden from us by time and space, matter and energy. This is what we call the Great Work."
― Jacques Bergier, quoting Fulcanelli
 
Nathaniel
#7 Posted : 7/24/2018 4:33:11 PM

Nathaniel


Posts: 224
Joined: 29-Jul-2011
Last visit: 06-Nov-2021
Location: Floating in space
Wolfnippletip wrote:
Looks like some type of Thrip to me, but I can't see them very well. If it's thrips they will damage your cacti, especially new growth.

Hmmm... what do I do to get rid of thrips? Since we're getting differing opinions, how can I verify what they are?

downwardsfromzero wrote:
Nathaniel, looks like you need to get a sharper knife - that's one rough cut!


Those critters appear to be attracted by the still-damp cut surface so if you can put your plant somewhere dry for a few days that may help.

Yea, I know I hacked my plant Neutral

Thanks for your help, everyone. What should I do?
You are me and I am you, I'll always be with you...
 
Auxin
#8 Posted : 7/24/2018 6:23:50 PM

DMT-Nexus member


Posts: 557
Joined: 12-Jul-2012
Last visit: 01-Jan-2021
Those things do look similar to thrips but theyre Much larger and black, and I've never seen them hurt anything.
Thrips damage looks similar to mite damage, if you see that on the stems or little troughs of eaten flesh on the cut end then soapy water spray will kill them.
But if theyre harmless the solution is simple: name them and consider them pets Razz
 
Nathaniel
#9 Posted : 7/24/2018 11:09:22 PM

Nathaniel


Posts: 224
Joined: 29-Jul-2011
Last visit: 06-Nov-2021
Location: Floating in space
Auxin wrote:
Those things do look similar to thrips but theyre Much larger and black, and I've never seen them hurt anything.
Thrips damage looks similar to mite damage, if you see that on the stems or little troughs of eaten flesh on the cut end then soapy water spray will kill them.
But if theyre harmless the solution is simple: name them and consider them pets Razz

Thanks Smile Well I hope they are harmless. The cut seems to be healing fine. I'll have to stay updated as to what is happening.

I think my cuttings are just about ready to go into pots. I've never harvested my plant before, so I'm excited to clone my own cactus!
You are me and I am you, I'll always be with you...
 
 
Users browsing this forum
Guest

DMT-Nexus theme created by The Traveler
This page was generated in 0.025 seconds.