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Expert: Long Island Gardener - 4/9/2007


Question
I just purchased a Stargazer Lillie and notice the soil is producing little flies. I killed a few of them and them noticed little worms (maybe more flies that haven't hatched yet?)also in the soil. I know I can't plant it outside yet but could you tell me what I can do in the meantime? I want to enjoy it inside my house (very well lit sunroom) but I don't want a bunch of flies too.
Thank you,
Lori

Answer
You need to pick up a few yellow sticky traps at the garden center, Lori.

These are cards, painted a bright yellow, covered with flypaper-glue.  The little flies -- thrips and fungus gnats -- are drawn to the paper and get stuck.  They're sold as 'Whitefly Traps' but can be used for any irritating flying insect.  They have little stakes that you jab into the pot; anything jumping around in there will get stuck.

I agree those gnats are 'agnoying'.  But FYI harmless.

The Safer Company sells spray-on Insecticidal Soap to safely wipe out these little critters without those dreadful chemicals. You can buy them online (http://www.saferbrand.com/index.htm) or, possibly, at a local garden center.

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Long Island Gardener

Expertise

Growing Tulips? Dahlias? Daffodils? Gladiolus? It doesn't get easier than bulbs and tubers. Once in a while, something goes wrong: The dreaded Narcissus Bulb Fly, which resembles a honeybee. Mosaic virus, which can ignite a field of tulips in a single season. Nematodes, lurking underground. Here on the North Shore of Long Island, the garden is full of surprises. If you live in the Northeast/Atlantic Coast, I can help you pick the right bulb for every season, indoors and out, and help you fertilize, bloom and harvest for home or work. How: I have degrees in related fields, but my best understanding is all learned from trial and error. For most of my 53 years I have been gardening somewhere. No matter what the problem, I've learned the best answers are always Organic -- Earth friendly, less expensive, healthier for people and pets, easier and cleaner than toxic liquids and powders that big chemical companies sell so smoothly.

Experience

Besides degrees in related fields, and a few favorite horticultural societies, I work as a docent at our local botanical gardens -- but it's the years of work in the garden that's the real test.

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