Try adding rice to the shaker so that it breaks the clumps as it is shaken. My family has been doing it for years in our salt shaker because in humid conditions salt tends to clump up
For top dressing: mix your diatomaceous earth with perlite. It makes it easy to place on the top of the soil and stops the soil from making the diatomaceous earth wet, in which case it WILL NOT WORK. You must also BOTTOM WATER when using this technique. Edit: hah I finished the video and you said this at the end, apologies!!
I've seen people using this all the time in videos, but noone ever explained it in detail so thank you. Another thing I'm definitely buying thanks to you
Thank you! I just bought food grade bag today. I’ve finally conquered an aphid problem on my 24 year old plumeria but I have to bring my other plants in this week as it’s going to freeze and I needed a preventative measure to ensure everything is healthy for the winter. Your videos are fabulous! Thank you!
Thank you so much Mr Sheffield, I really really enjoyed watching you show us all the benefits of diatomaceous earth. Very interesting and useful information too. Please stay safe and well too xxxx Mags ❤❤❤
Will be trying this for greenhouse centipedes in the soil in my house plant. Thank you. Hadn’t thought of using it this way. Already had in the cupboard for my cats fleas.
Thank you Richard, this is timely. It is time to move the plant indoors as the weather temp in my area starts to get colder. I just ordered some to try on my plants.
I bought a squeeze thing from ikea. I believe it applies powdered sugar to food. Hold it sideways and gently squeeze it. It throws out an even fine mist.
Yes, I've used this for the last 2 yrs. Works wonders. This is available @ Lowes. Also there is a sprayer (yellow&white) that you can purchase separately. Helped with the spring invasion of large black ants also.❤❤❤ ❤❤❤❤❤
Another amazing use for D.E.! Thank you! I have it on hand for blood suckers on my fur babies and for internal parasites and worms. I will be adding it to my soil mixes. Thanks for the rips and tricks for the application as well ❤ I and my plants thank you!
@@plants_dogs4lifeAfter a bath and your pet is thoroughly dry you just rub the diatomaceous earth into their coat. For internal health you can mix some in their food.
The best thing I found to distribute my diatomaceous earth is I took a bottle of baby powder and emptied the contents and filled the container up with the diatomaceous earth. It posted out in a dust that's really fine and it keeps you from being able to actually see it as much because it only takes a little to shred those little boogers to pieces. Hope this helps
I bought some off Amazon and it came with something to put it in that can blow it out. Depending on which way you use it you can do a fine layer or a thick layer.
I've used it for years in my garden; love the stuff. I've found the best way to apply it is to put it in a squeeze bottle with a cap with holes so that I can sprinkle over or puff under. Indoors, maybe do it in the shower so the dust doesn't get everywhere? Be sure not to inhale it or get it in your eyes!!!
I bought DE last year because I heard that it was good for pests but took it back because I didn't know how to use it. Your video is fantasic and I LOVE your sense of humor! Thank you!!
Thank you so much for this amazing tip! I already have diatom because I use it to dust my chickens so they will be sharing it with my leafy friends in future 😂 x
I have a tub of DE originally for outdoors but got fed up with it raining on it all the time. I live in the UK. I never thought to use it indoors so I will try that now, thanks for that. A work colleague gave me some cuttings of "houseplants". I'd resisted for years on those as they take up so much space and I became obsessed with succulents 3 years back and have a large collection to maintain. Before that it was garden plants and theyve grown out of control. But I'm in "another rabbit hole" now of houseplants! As every plant parent knows, if you are given a cutting you HAVE TO grow it 😆 A soil mix site I use for my succulents is "Soil Ninja" and my plants seem to thrive on this. Its similar to Sybotanica and at first purchase of soil for rubber plants which I admit I put in John Innes and perlite until I had time to read up on Rubber Plants. It grew 3 leaves in that mix in 2 weeks, but I wanted to do it right so repotted with Rubber Plant soil. Soil Ninja does seem cheaper [without your discount that is]. But I will continue to compare as I now need soil for Maranta plants that I've never grown before [but drooled over for over 15 years at B&Q when buying screws and wood for shelving]. Well, I have made my compost bed, so now I guess I'll have to lie in it ...............with the plants 🤣 Always enjoy your humour, great guy.
My suggestion would be a sugarshaker (for icing sugar) with a mesh on the lid. Than you add a few grains of rice in the powder and it won t stick (same with salt in a salt shaker). If the lid of the shaker is too big, just tape other the half of it.
Thank you so much for that tip Mr. Sheffield, I just ordered some DE and ill be dusting my entire home from floor to ceiling - perhaps not as I also have several aquariums. On the compost front, I get that we all have our preferred mixes, I found a compost that is more as an amendment rather than the cheap multipurpose compost, and I amend it further with coco coir and perlite and it seems to work for me. And even before I found this type of compost I have never experienced bad smells. I fought the fungus gnats off with neem oil rather successfully. And I'm hopping that the DE will help with spider mites, thrips and mealy bugs, cos I'm also pulling my hair out as I have tried almost everything I can think off. I will try an area with the spray bottle and another area with the brush, both as you suggested 🙂 Once again, thank you
I use this all the time. I have a plastic jug with a top like dish soap has.i just squeeze the jug and poof my plants! You have to shake it a lot but you can get on and under the leaves.
I would like to note that not all compost is the same - the composition makes a huge difference in terms of pests, smell, drainage, nutrients, etc. Of course, since this is for your home, it’s super reasonable to want to use something a bit more standardized to keep the flies away. But I wanted to defend compost a bit 😉
I have to agree with you, I use compost amended with coco coir and perlite. I fought the fungus gnats off with neem oil, but as I live on the ground floor and surrounded by lawns and hedges those beggars keep flying in, though it seems under control now... back to the compost, I have never experienced any bad smells - and I have in excess of 400 houseplants.
That was very interesting. I have used it to kill slugs in the garden but didn't realize it would work for houseplants. I never would have thought to put it on the leaves also. Thank you!
Love your videos btw. I grew up in Birmingham, England and you crack me up. I like how simple and down to earth your videos are and find your information very helpful. I was wondering though, do you like flowering plants? Have you done a video about your flowering plants?
Used this a couple of years ago and still have mucky gunck in my pots where it accumulated, and I didn't use all THAT much. A layer of well rinsed pool sand worked MUCH better for fungus knats.
I love the tips, especially the paintbrush. I bought some of this for the veggie garden but only used it once because it seemed too messy and uncontrollable. I read the precautions about breathing it in and grew more uncomfortable. I would like to try using it in my soil though and to help control fungus gnats. But probably once I use what I have I won’t purchase it again; simply don’t want it left around for any family or friends that may not be careful with it. Thanks again!
I have ordered diatomaceous earth,thank you for all your suggestions and advice…your videos always teach me a ton about plants growing and how to care @ big thanks 😘
Great video, I already have some and mine came with an air pump type thing to apply squeeze duster I guess? Bought it for centipedes now I’m going to dust my mother in law tongue (plant) 🤣🤣🤣 Blessings 💜💚
Perfect timing Richard! I’ve got a big bag of diatomaceous earth (food grade) sitting on my kitchen counter that I’ve had for a week now, but have been too hesitant to get into yet. I’ll be starting with your spice jar technique first and maybe the spray bottle solution for the underside of leaves on my most troubled plants. The paint brush might be good too. Thanks again Mr Sheffield 😊👍
U know, I have had a bag sitting for almost a year and you just inclined me to try this with my one mite and one mealy bug infested plants. Nothing else has worked, so this may be the final try. Perfect timing as always.
Not plant related, but I was recommended to add this stuff to water and drink it, (short term, food grade ) by my nutritional therapist. Has lots of health benefits, it would seem. Notice someone else mentioned to take care not to inhale it. Was also told this.
Great video!! I use an old blush brush to hit the corners in my deck, slider doors, window ledges. Love the idea to add to soil to prevent mold/bugs. I put my soil in the frig and compost bags in the freezer. Obviously, I'm single! LOL.
That's very useful. I was using deotom earth in many applications. It is just amazing. I did not use it on leaves, I will try right now because few of them have bags. Thanks a lot
I put DE in a dry, used water bottle, with a small hole drilled in the cap. Using the right angle, puff out a cloud. As harmless as it is, DON'T breathe it in. That said, it's beneficial to humans and pets against parasites. Mix with pet food or for humans, anything in a small amount to eat, as it's got a chalky, gritty texture. Lots of info out there, I have a 50 lb bag I've been working on for years : )
I've been using diatomaceous earth on my plants for over a year. I put it in an old spice sprinkler for easy application. But you should tap the bottom of the container to get it out. It really works! Warning: it only works on top of the medium if it's dry. Once wet, it's not helpful and gums up. Second Warning: it's dehumidifying. My humidity drops from the sixties to the forties inside of an hour when I reapply it to my more humidity loving plants.
I will dump a pile into the soil then use a large makeup brush to push the d-earth around the surface. It can create a smooth even coating that looks lovely. Only issue is it can create a thick crust of it gets wet then dries later, so bottom watering is important lol
Hopefully I won't have to deal with these pests again, but if I do, I'll give this a try. Last time, I was showering the living hell of out my plants.. which eventually worked, but it took a lot of persistence.
Good video sir. I've heard of this stuff awhile ago but have never tried it. Seems like a good solution. And about your kids eating your plants you should try growing pepper 🌶 plants or an even better plant would be some stinging nettles. Should see results in no time.😊
I put DE on the soil of my houseplants this April one day before i went on vacation because of a fungus gnats infestation and when i came back home the substrate of all of my plants was very moldy and some of my houseplants almost died 😅 My advice is to test it on one plant first and have a look at the top of the soil after the use of it. (and maybe not to go on vacation in this time 😅)
That's odd! Did you have proper air flow going in your house? Did you turn off your furnace or air conditioner and fans before you left? I know I did once and I had mold growing because there was no air flow at all going in the home and I learned my lesson and now I leave fans on and furnace or air conditioner and keep doors open as well.
@@SheffieldMadePlantsEventually it was because my friend who did the plant parenting did not open the window for proper air circulation in that time. Since that day i have not used DA anymore, but the gnat problem has been solved after repotting almost 40 plants 😅
@@jackiewhitney5031Honestly not, my friend who did the plant sitting was afraid about opening the window because there were so many plants in front of it 😅
Here are the cons, some of which were covered, some not: DE is NOT to be breathed in: people need to heed the warning about that. Those who swear by it's use are also the ones that swore it makes a great de-wormer when given to animals, which it does not. As mentioned, it is porous and absorbs water. Once wet, it expands and the sharp shards disintegrate, rendering it worthless from that moment on. It has to be re-applied in gardening after rain and the same applies to any situation where it gets wet. DO NOT use this on velvet leaves: it will be a nightmare to get completely off. It is a messy nightmare to get off anything. It turns to a clay like mush when wet and dries in clumps. The clumps can be broken up into powder again, but why bother? The effectiveness is gone. There are lots of "old wives tales" out there that people "swear by." They are hit or miss at best. .
Thank you so much for this tip ! I have hens, so I have plenty of diatomeceous earth but like an idiot i never thought of using it in my personal war against aphids on my green babies 🤦♀️
As a former fingerprint operator, I appreciate 1:21 Great delta! Also, thank you for any advice on killing houseplant-loving insects. I'm about outta my mind lately.
Become a better plant parent 👉 sheffieldmadeplantsacademy.com
Try adding rice to the shaker so that it breaks the clumps as it is shaken. My family has been doing it for years in our salt shaker because in humid conditions salt tends to clump up
@@danzoe25 👍👍👍
I've never thought a plant channel can be so interesting! Science for a geek and plants, all I love in one place :D
Glad you enjoy it!
Who? Just who would think anyone could consistently, make caring for our beloved plants so fun & entertaining? But you do ! Thank you Sir!
Wow, thank you!
We worked on a cattle ranch that had a diatomaceous earth mine on it. I'm glad you specified using food grade. VERY IMPORTANT!!
For sure
The other problem I was warned about when using it indoors; wear a mask. Not good news if you inhale it, if you already have pulmonary health issues.
@@wildliferox2 Absolutely! I know I did when I had an infestation of fleas on my cats.
Sadly food grade still has 80-90% silica, so inhalation can still cause lung disease and cancer.
For top dressing: mix your diatomaceous earth with perlite. It makes it easy to place on the top of the soil and stops the soil from making the diatomaceous earth wet, in which case it WILL NOT WORK. You must also BOTTOM WATER when using this technique.
Edit: hah I finished the video and you said this at the end, apologies!!
No probs 😁
I choked on my cheese when You say "It sticks around like a fart in an elevator" 🤣🤣 I wasn't expecting it but I'm here for it 😂
😂
Great advice, thank you. I put a few rice grains into my salt shaker, to prevent salt clumping.The rice absorbs the moisture and salt pours freely
I just came to say the same thing. Rice in the shaker. A few grains is all you need, just replace them when refilling the shaker.
Perfect thank you!
You must wear a mask when using this stuff, the silica is an irritant and can damage human lungs.
Thanks! I mentioned that in the vid 😁
@@SheffieldMadePlants I know you did but I never saw you wear one 😉❤️
Excellent point!!
Great explanation but I have a lung disease & can’t use it
With all that shaking of the spice jar method - I think I'd additionally take it outside. (& STILL wear the mask - I like my lungs!)
Maybe try putting some rice in the spice shaker to help keep it from clumping and flow out freely.
Great shout
I've seen people using this all the time in videos, but noone ever explained it in detail so thank you. Another thing I'm definitely buying thanks to you
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you! I just bought food grade bag today. I’ve finally conquered an aphid problem on my 24 year old plumeria but I have to bring my other plants in this week as it’s going to freeze and I needed a preventative measure to ensure everything is healthy for the winter. Your videos are fabulous!
Thank you!
Thank you 😊
Thank you so much Mr Sheffield, I really really enjoyed watching you show us all the benefits of diatomaceous earth. Very interesting and useful information too. Please stay safe and well too xxxx Mags ❤❤❤
My pleasure 😊
I began using it a couple of months ago and yes, it works 👍🏻
Good job 👍
I just love the way you present these good tips with such a great sense of humour. Thank you so much.
Thanks for watching 😁
Will be trying this for greenhouse centipedes in the soil in my house plant. Thank you. Hadn’t thought of using it this way. Already had in the cupboard for my cats fleas.
Good luck!
Thank you Richard, this is timely. It is time to move the plant indoors as the weather temp in my area starts to get colder. I just ordered some to try on my plants.
My pleasure 😊
Thank you for sharing beautiful and amazing plants lovely collection beautiful
Thanks for visiting
“Getting up all in their grill” “Sliced and diced into oblivion” 😂😂😂
😁
I bought a squeeze thing from ikea. I believe it applies powdered sugar to food. Hold it sideways and gently squeeze it. It throws out an even fine mist.
Ooo i'll have to have a look when i'm next in 👍
@@SheffieldMadePlantsI purchased one from Amazon a few years ago. 🙂
You are so comical and a great teacher 😂
Thank you! 😃
Use rice in a shaker to keep it from clumping.
There are little accordion ducted things that are awesome. My DE came with it.
Thanks for mentioning this. I use a mixture of neem oil, Castile soap and warm water to spray the plant leaves regularly.
Sounds great!
Yes, I've used this for the last 2 yrs. Works wonders. This is available @ Lowes. Also there is a sprayer (yellow&white) that you can purchase separately. Helped with the spring invasion of large black ants also.❤❤❤ ❤❤❤❤❤
👍👍👍
Another amazing use for D.E.! Thank you! I have it on hand for blood suckers on my fur babies and for internal parasites and worms. I will be adding it to my soil mixes. Thanks for the rips and tricks for the application as well ❤ I and my plants thank you!
Glad you found it useful 👍
How do you use this on your fur babies? Also, how do you use it for internal parasites?
@@plants_dogs4lifeAfter a bath and your pet is thoroughly dry you just rub the diatomaceous earth into their coat. For internal health you can mix some in their food.
@@sheabutta5425 If you rub DE into the coat of rabbits and cats dry, don't they breath it in when licking themselves?
Loved this one Mr Sheffield,you’re a regular riot😂😂 Hi from Maine 🦞🦞🦞🦞🦞
Thank you 😊
The best thing I found to distribute my diatomaceous earth is I took a bottle of baby powder and emptied the contents and filled the container up with the diatomaceous earth. It posted out in a dust that's really fine and it keeps you from being able to actually see it as much because it only takes a little to shred those little boogers to pieces. Hope this helps
Thanks for the tip
Informative and timely bc my son got some to kill termites eating wooden stairs in cemented house.
Thanks mr Sheffield.
You bet!
Ive heard of this once. A lady put it in with her chickens. I think its worth a try. I will think of it as preventative medicine. Have a blessed day.
Thank you 😊 you too
I'm so glad you listened about the compost and diatomaceous earth!
To spread your earth more evenly try using a flour sifter. I also found out a little cedar shavings on top of the soil helps with insects and smells.
Great tip!
I had questions about this but the video cleared everything up. Thank you for all the info here!
Glad it was helpful!
I bought some off Amazon and it came with something to put it in that can blow it out. Depending on which way you use it you can do a fine layer or a thick layer.
Mr. Sheffield! I love this video. Thank you!
Thanks for watching 😁
I've used it for years in my garden; love the stuff. I've found the best way to apply it is to put it in a squeeze bottle with a cap with holes so that I can sprinkle over or puff under. Indoors, maybe do it in the shower so the dust doesn't get everywhere?
Be sure not to inhale it or get it in your eyes!!!
Thanks for sharing!
i love your personality dude
I bought DE last year because I heard that it was good for pests but took it back because I didn't know how to use it. Your video is fantasic and I LOVE your sense of humor! Thank you!!
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you so much for this amazing tip! I already have diatom because I use it to dust my chickens so they will be sharing it with my leafy friends in future 😂 x
Great stuff 👍
This helped my plans so much!!!! Thank you for all of these amazing videos!!
You bet!
I put diatomaceous earth in a loose leaf tea ball (that has a handle) and it shakes out perfectly!
Neat trick 👍
I have a tub of DE originally for outdoors but got fed up with it raining on it all the time. I live in the UK. I never thought to use it indoors so I will try that now, thanks for that. A work colleague gave me some cuttings of "houseplants". I'd resisted for years on those as they take up so much space and I became obsessed with succulents 3 years back and have a large collection to maintain. Before that it was garden plants and theyve grown out of control. But I'm in "another rabbit hole" now of houseplants! As every plant parent knows, if you are given a cutting you HAVE TO grow it 😆 A soil mix site I use for my succulents is "Soil Ninja" and my plants seem to thrive on this. Its similar to Sybotanica and at first purchase of soil for rubber plants which I admit I put in John Innes and perlite until I had time to read up on Rubber Plants. It grew 3 leaves in that mix in 2 weeks, but I wanted to do it right so repotted with Rubber Plant soil. Soil Ninja does seem cheaper [without your discount that is]. But I will continue to compare as I now need soil for Maranta plants that I've never grown before [but drooled over for over 15 years at B&Q when buying screws and wood for shelving]. Well, I have made my compost bed, so now I guess I'll have to lie in it ...............with the plants 🤣 Always enjoy your humour, great guy.
Thank you 😊
I love this stuff. And you can use a powder duster to apply it. Amazon has cheap ones. Cheers from Canada 👋
Cool, thanks!
"Hes been Chuck Norris'd" 😂
Sheff 🖥️ + morning coffee ☕ 🌅 = ☺️
😁
Mix your powder with water and a friendly soap and spray it on
My suggestion would be a sugarshaker (for icing sugar) with a mesh on the lid. Than you add a few grains of rice in the powder and it won t stick (same with salt in a salt shaker). If the lid of the shaker is too big, just tape other the half of it.
Thank you so much for that tip Mr. Sheffield, I just ordered some DE and ill be dusting my entire home from floor to ceiling - perhaps not as I also have several aquariums.
On the compost front, I get that we all have our preferred mixes, I found a compost that is more as an amendment rather than the cheap multipurpose compost, and I amend it further with coco coir and perlite and it seems to work for me. And even before I found this type of compost I have never experienced bad smells.
I fought the fungus gnats off with neem oil rather successfully.
And I'm hopping that the DE will help with spider mites, thrips and mealy bugs, cos I'm also pulling my hair out as I have tried almost everything I can think off.
I will try an area with the spray bottle and another area with the brush, both as you suggested 🙂
Once again, thank you
Hopefully it works for you 🤞
Also the only thing that helped us get rid of bed bugs!!!
Ah yes
I use this all the time. I have a plastic jug with a top like dish soap has.i just squeeze the jug and poof my plants! You have to shake it a lot but you can get on and under the leaves.
Great stuff 👍
I would like to note that not all compost is the same - the composition makes a huge difference in terms of pests, smell, drainage, nutrients, etc. Of course, since this is for your home, it’s super reasonable to want to use something a bit more standardized to keep the flies away. But I wanted to defend compost a bit 😉
I have to agree with you, I use compost amended with coco coir and perlite. I fought the fungus gnats off with neem oil, but as I live on the ground floor and surrounded by lawns and hedges those beggars keep flying in, though it seems under control now... back to the compost, I have never experienced any bad smells - and I have in excess of 400 houseplants.
That was very interesting. I have used it to kill slugs in the garden but didn't realize it would work for houseplants. I never would have thought to put it on the leaves also. Thank you!
You bet!
This stuff works for all insects! This video is so funny and informative. Have enjoyed listening to your British accent…
Glad you enjoyed it!
Your cuts and comments in this are hilarious. I love it 😆 “unless you want to blow up your plants..”
Glad you enjoyed it 😁
Love your videos btw. I grew up in Birmingham, England and you crack me up. I like how simple and down to earth your videos are and find your information very helpful. I was wondering though, do you like flowering plants? Have you done a video about your flowering plants?
Thanks! Got one on orchid and lipstick plant
Used this a couple of years ago and still have mucky gunck in my pots where it accumulated, and I didn't use all THAT much. A layer of well rinsed pool sand worked MUCH better for fungus knats.
I love the tips, especially the paintbrush. I bought some of this for the veggie garden but only used it once because it seemed too messy and uncontrollable. I read the precautions about breathing it in and grew more uncomfortable. I would like to try using it in my soil though and to help control fungus gnats. But probably once I use what I have I won’t purchase it again; simply don’t want it left around for any family or friends that may not be careful with it. Thanks again!
Fair enough. Breathing it in isn’t great. It’s edible though which is interesting
I have ordered diatomaceous earth,thank you for all your suggestions and advice…your videos always teach me a ton about plants growing and how to care @ big thanks 😘
Best of luck!
Thanks a lot! I appreciate all the info
My pleasure 😊
Thank u iv always wanted to try product but was unsure u have convinced me it's OK to just give it a try 😊
Hope you like it!
Great video, I already have some and mine came with an air pump type thing to apply squeeze duster I guess? Bought it for centipedes now I’m going to dust my mother in law tongue (plant) 🤣🤣🤣
Blessings 💜💚
Good luck 🤞
Perfect timing Richard! I’ve got a big bag of diatomaceous earth (food grade) sitting on my kitchen counter that I’ve had for a week now, but have been too hesitant to get into yet. I’ll be starting with your spice jar technique first and maybe the spray bottle solution for the underside of leaves on my most troubled plants. The paint brush might be good too. Thanks again Mr Sheffield 😊👍
My pleasure 😊 thanks for watching
U know, I have had a bag sitting for almost a year and you just inclined me to try this with my one mite and one mealy bug infested plants. Nothing else has worked, so this may be the final try. Perfect timing as always.
Great to hear!
Heard of something like this, will order a pot now that the dark droopy days are upon us! Thanks for the tips, useful as always :)
Glad it was helpful!
Not plant related, but I was recommended to add this stuff to water and drink it, (short term, food grade ) by my nutritional therapist. Has lots of health benefits, it would seem. Notice someone else mentioned to take care not to inhale it. Was also told this.
Great video!! I use an old blush brush to hit the corners in my deck, slider doors, window ledges. Love the idea to add to soil to prevent mold/bugs. I put my soil in the frig and compost bags in the freezer. Obviously, I'm single! LOL.
😂
4:57 maybe a peppercorn or sea salt grinder would work well for even distribution and to break up any clumps that form in the container..?
Worth a try thanks 👍
Good advice. Not sure how to use this in my terrariums where I add springtails though - I guess this is a nono?
Yeah not a good mix
4:28 that actually made me laugh 😆
That's very useful. I was using deotom earth in many applications. It is just amazing. I did not use it on leaves, I will try right now because few of them have bags. Thanks a lot
My pleasure 😊
I put that in all my plants 💚
Great stuff 👍
I put DE in a dry, used water bottle, with a small hole drilled in the cap. Using the right angle, puff out a cloud. As harmless as it is, DON'T breathe it in. That said, it's beneficial to humans and pets against parasites. Mix with pet food or for humans, anything in a small amount to eat, as it's got a chalky, gritty texture. Lots of info out there, I have a 50 lb bag I've been working on for years : )
Nice tip thanks
I've been using diatomaceous earth on my plants for over a year. I put it in an old spice sprinkler for easy application. But you should tap the bottom of the container to get it out. It really works!
Warning: it only works on top of the medium if it's dry. Once wet, it's not helpful and gums up.
Second Warning: it's dehumidifying. My humidity drops from the sixties to the forties inside of an hour when I reapply it to my more humidity loving plants.
You could use a flower sifter to apply the diatomaceous earth.
May be try adding some Rice to the spice shaker to de-clump ?
Good shout
Love that comment @3:27 haha, Thanks for the tips and for the laugh
You bet!
Wow, such a good tip! I'm currently in the middle of a nematode curation against thrips, but if that doesn't work I'll try this thing for sure.
Great stuff 👍
I will dump a pile into the soil then use a large makeup brush to push the d-earth around the surface. It can create a smooth even coating that looks lovely. Only issue is it can create a thick crust of it gets wet then dries later, so bottom watering is important lol
Very true but i don't think it's necessarily bad
@@SheffieldMadePlants also very true! can keep those little guys out
I always use it for my plants and even brush my teeth and my dog’s teeth with diatomaceous earth and tooth paste keep them white.
Ooo didn’t know that was a thing
A similar substitute would be using GROUND CINNAMON.
They are an amazing pest killer and help with root growth
In a different way
Cinnamon can dry out the plants though... So you can't use them the same way.
Thank you so much for this tip!
My pleasure 😊
Try putting some rice in the spice bottle with this powder and rice will not let this powder clump up when you try to evenly spread on the soil
Thanks for the tip
I use an empty water bottle with a hole or two in the lid... works well to dust/spray the powder. Definitely use a mask. Also works for ants!
Amazing stuff ❤
Ah yes, murder snow. And jsut in time for the holliday season.
😅
Hopefully I won't have to deal with these pests again, but if I do, I'll give this a try. Last time, I was showering the living hell of out my plants.. which eventually worked, but it took a lot of persistence.
Fingered crossed
I’ve been using this stuff for a couple of months now 🥰
How you finding it? What you fighting against?
@@SheffieldMadePlants fungus gnats and barely see any now 🙏
Baby powder bottle for the win!
Good video sir. I've heard of this stuff awhile ago but have never tried it. Seems like a good solution. And about your kids eating your plants you should try growing pepper 🌶 plants or an even better plant would be some stinging nettles. Should see results in no time.😊
Great tip 😂
Loved this Video! Very Informative as all your Videos! ❤ 0:50
Thank you 😊
I put DE on the soil of my houseplants this April one day before i went on vacation because of a fungus gnats infestation and when i came back home the substrate of all of my plants was very moldy and some of my houseplants almost died 😅
My advice is to test it on one plant first and have a look at the top of the soil after the use of it. (and maybe not to go on vacation in this time 😅)
Hmm I can't see how the DE would create the mold 🤔
That's odd! Did you have proper air flow going in your house? Did you turn off your furnace or air conditioner and fans before you left? I know I did once and I had mold growing because there was no air flow at all going in the home and I learned my lesson and now I leave fans on and furnace or air conditioner and keep doors open as well.
@@SheffieldMadePlantsEventually it was because my friend who did the plant parenting did not open the window for proper air circulation in that time. Since that day i have not used DA anymore, but the gnat problem has been solved after repotting almost 40 plants 😅
@@jackiewhitney5031Honestly not, my friend who did the plant sitting was afraid about opening the window because there were so many plants in front of it 😅
I saw one brand on amazon sends a powder puffer with the bag. I need this stuff.
It also works quite well on fleas and ticks on your fur babys.
👍👍👍
3:29 like a fart in an elevator 🛗 😂😂😂
😁
Here are the cons, some of which were covered, some not:
DE is NOT to be breathed in: people need to heed the warning about that.
Those who swear by it's use are also the ones that swore it makes a great de-wormer when given to animals, which it does not. As mentioned, it is porous and absorbs water. Once wet, it expands and the sharp shards disintegrate, rendering it worthless from that moment on. It has to be re-applied in gardening after rain and the same applies to any situation where it gets wet.
DO NOT use this on velvet leaves: it will be a nightmare to get completely off. It is a messy nightmare to get off anything. It turns to a clay like mush when wet and dries in clumps. The clumps can be broken up into powder again, but why bother? The effectiveness is gone.
There are lots of "old wives tales" out there that people "swear by." They are hit or miss at best.
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I always wondered why I had spiderwebs on my plants .
Thank you : )
You bet!
Thank you so much for this tip ! I have hens, so I have plenty of diatomeceous earth but like an idiot i never thought of using it in my personal war against aphids on my green babies 🤦♀️
Fingers crossed it helps
PLANT IDIOTS UNITE! 💖🪴
Amazon has a puffer dispenser. I bought a bag with the puffer in the bag.
Sounds good
As a former fingerprint operator, I appreciate 1:21 Great delta!
Also, thank you for any advice on killing houseplant-loving insects. I'm about outta my mind lately.
Glad you found it useful 👍
What you could use to put diet Tacious earth on your plants is a flower sifter that will break it up.
Good shout 👍
Love your videos
Thank you 😊