Outdoor grow tent to keep moths off?

[charlie12]

Hi everyone, I'm so glad to have found this forum!

I'm planning a very small outdoor grow in SoCal. Maybe two plants, three max. I haven't done so in a few years because last time I did my flowers got partially eaten by what I believe were budworms. They looked so good before that! haha and to be honest it kind of broke my heart and it discouraged me from trying again.

Once I saw them, I sprayed my plants with neem oil (yes, I know that was way too late) and maybe that's why it didn't work, and truthfully, I hate the smell of that stuff.Where I am we have plenty of sunlight and very little rain but I'm in the city, so I only have a small backyard and with a few buildings blocking out different parts of my yard at different times of the day. But since I'm old and retired and home most of the day, I'm okay with picking up the cage and the plants and moving them to where the sunlight is, and doing it multiple times a day.

I'm looking for a way to get as much natural sunlight on them as possible while keeping moths or butterflies off. Is there anything lost, as far as sunlight and airflow, in using a cage?

Am I missing something a rookie like me would miss?

Any other advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks everyone.

 

[mancorn]

Sounds like a fine idea as the bud worms are a royal pain in the ass in certain locations. You can use a Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) product to try and kill the worms early in the season (June) and spray through early flower. Which will slow em down but not eradicate them completely. The spray doesn’t actually kill the worms on contact, they need to eat veg that has been sprayed. But once you get larger buds it’s almost impossible to get the spray into the bud where the worms are eating. And even if you can, all it takes is a few worm poops inside the bud to start the rot. (It’s a good idea to clear out any leaf litter in the yard as the months will hang out in the dark and moist crevices.)

With your small setup, making a cage covered in plant cloth would be a good idea. I might just make a PVC cage and hold it down with stakes, but lots of ways to skin that cat.

Edit: one other consideration is using some sort of caging to support the plant. When moving plants around in flower it’s easy to start snapping branches (which leave wounds that get infected and leads to rot). I make cages out of remesh sheets (available at large box hardware). You can then use the support for the worm fabric.

 

[Ninjadogma]

Like Mancave says, you can use a tomato cage that extends higher than your tops and just throw a shade cloth over it and it will help keep the moths away. I had a Popeye moment during last Summer's grow (That's all I can stands, I can't stands no more!) after I started finding buds turning brown and realizing it was bud worms. That's when I set out to build my Screenhouse. I did a winter grow and was putting my plants in there, and one night rats chewed through the screen to get to the ripe winter tomatoes I also had in there, so I had to perform an emergency upgrade and add a foot of 1/4" mesh along the bottom. If you build one of these, my suggestion is don't make the roof flat like I did. Give it some slope so you can throw a clear plastic tarp over it on those rare days it rains and the water won't pool on top and collapse it. I'm putting blocks beneath one side to slope it if I need a rain tarp.

Under a screen there is less sunlight getting in but it's not a huge difference. You can select a screen material that provides less shading, and then buy some shade cloth that you can throw over the top on those really super hot Summer days.

This doesn't eliminate the need for proactive pest management, it just helps... a lot. Aphids and spider mites still attack unmitigated and will overrun your cage if you don't have a plan in place. So I'm still using spinosad and neem, and I'm on the fence whether or not I'll use BT for the soil bugs since I won't need it for the moths.

 

[Ninjadogma]

Like Mancave says, you can use a tomato cage that extends higher than your tops and just throw a shade cloth over it and it will help keep the moths away. I had a Popeye moment during last Summer's grow (That's all I can stands, I can't stands no more!) after I started finding buds turning brown and realizing it was bud worms. That's when I set out to build my Screenhouse. I did a winter grow and was putting my plants in there, and one night rats chewed through the screen to get to the ripe winter tomatoes I also had in there, so I had to perform an emergency upgrade and add a foot of 1/4" mesh along the bottom. If you build one of these, my suggestion is don't make the roof flat like I did. Give it some slope so you can throw a clear plastic tarp over it on those rare days it rains and the water won't pool on top and collapse it. I'm putting blocks beneath one side to slope it if I need a rain tarp.

Under a screen there is less sunlight getting in but it's not a huge difference. You can select a screen material that provides less shading, and then buy some shade cloth that you can throw over the top on those really super hot Summer days.

This doesn't eliminate the need for proactive pest management, it just helps... a lot. Aphids and spider mites still attack unmitigated and will overrun your cage if you don't have a plan in place. So I'm still using spinosad and neem, and I'm on the fence whether or not I'll use BT for the soil bugs since I won't need it for the moths.

Forgot to mention, the cage is also a great environment for throwing beneficial bugs in there. I'm waiting until mid May to introduce ladybugs and predator mite eggs because I'm moving my plants into the shed at night. Mid May I cut my supplemental light and they spend 24/7 in the cage and that's when they'll get them.

 

[mancorn]

You can get a pretty decent bend out of the PVC and try a hoop house style top. But it’s tough to get the cover tight enough so water doesn’t get trapped along the outer edges. I’ve gone through a couple iterations and finally just went with a good pop-up tent as it was a bear trying to cover and uncover with the giant sheets of plastic.

Ninja you might just grab a cheap patio or beach umbrella and drop it on your cage. I use one on top of my remesh cage for a patio plant (sans the bottom pole).

 

[Ninjadogma]

You can get a pretty decent bend out of the PVC and try a hoop house style top. But it’s tough to get the cover tight enough so water doesn’t get trapped along the outer edges. I’ve gone through a couple iterations and finally just went with a good pop-up tent as it was a bear trying to cover and uncover with the giant sheets of plastic.

Ninja you might just grab a cheap patio or beach umbrella and drop it on your cage. I use one on top of my remesh cage for a patio plant (sans the bottom pole).

View attachment 2416495

For heat management, I've got a really nice golden rain tree in the yard that provides nice shade and the Screenhouse is light enough for me to move it under. For rain I have a large covered patio the cage fits under and I started moving it under there rather than worry about a collapse or some other mishap. The wind is an issue I have to address. I have an idea for anchoring it.

 

[Oldchucky]

In my experience, anything you put between the sun and the plant will affect the light to whatever extent! The plant will let you know! You might get away with covering it at sundown when the moths are most active and uncovered in the morning! It’s a crapshoot! Caterpillars are bad down there! And make sure you black out your yard as much as possible! No porch lights, pull the window, shades, etc.! Let your neighbor be the one to attract the Moths!

 

[Ninjadogma]

In my experience, anything you put between the sun and the plant will affect the light to whatever extent! The plant will let you know! You might get away with covering it at sundown when the moths are most active and uncovered in the morning! It’s a crapshoot! Caterpillars are bad down there! And make sure you black out your yard as much as possible! No porch lights, pull the window, shades, etc.! Let your neighbor be the one to attract the Moths!

When it hits 90 degrees and up, nmy plants want relief more than they want sun. Even under a shadecloth PPFD is about on par with an indoor grow light. With raw sun at 1500, under a 50% shade cloth they're still getting 750.

 

[defective]

My first outdoor grow I was combing through buds pulling out caterpillars throughout flower….my second grow I used mosquito nets to cover individual plants, which worked ok…my third grow I started using BT as soon as the pistils showed up and I’ve never looked back…haven’t had a problem since.

The netting minimized, but didn’t fully eliminate because those moth fuckers still layed eggs on the net, then those little bastards hatch and use their handy little silk threads to get down inside to the plants…gotta smash those eggs when you see them as they are usually all in one nice clump.

 

[Oldchucky]

When it hits 90 degrees and up, nmy plants want relief more than they want sun. Even under a shadecloth PPFD is about on par with an indoor grow light. With raw sun at 1500, under a 50% shade cloth they're still getting 750.

Whatever works for you! When it’s 110 all my plants want is a 35 gallon pot and a lot of water! Keep two trains rolling! The evaporation train, and the transpiration train! I’m not trying to replicate indoors! But everyone’s style is different! Just never had any luck messing with their sunlight! And I’ve tried! Moved to the route zone instead! I haven’t looked back! But caterpillars are a major problem down there and I wouldn’t wish them on anybody! I figured out the VPD when it’s 105° and 15% humidity! It didn’t quite jive with the tent growers! And I didn’t tell the plants so they remained happy!

 

[Oldchucky]

My first outdoor grow I was combing through buds pulling out caterpillars throughout flower….my second grow I used mosquito nets to cover individual plants, which worked ok…my third grow I started using BT as soon as the pistils showed up and I’ve never looked back…haven’t had a problem since.

The netting minimized, but didn’t fully eliminate because those moth fuckers still layed eggs on the net, then those little bastards hatch and use their handy little silk threads to get down inside to the plants…gotta smash those eggs when you see them as they are usually all in one nice clump.

My brother’s in Riverside and major caterpillar problems! He said blacking out the yard helps quite a bit! But he still got slaughtered! Lol! Just not as quite as bad!

 

[mancorn]

VICTORY!!! Sitting out back (drinking) and see the ant hauling a worm off.

 

[Oldchucky]

Hi everyone, I'm so glad to have found this forum!

I'm planning a very small outdoor grow in SoCal. Maybe two plants, three max. I haven't done so in a few years because last time I did my flowers got partially eaten by what I believe were budworms. They looked so good before that! haha and to be honest it kind of broke my heart and it discouraged me from trying again.

Once I saw them, I sprayed my plants with neem oil (yes, I know that was way too late) and maybe that's why it didn't work, and truthfully, I hate the smell of that stuff.Where I am we have plenty of sunlight and very little rain but I'm in the city, so I only have a small backyard and with a few buildings blocking out different parts of my yard at different times of the day. But since I'm old and retired and home most of the day, I'm okay with picking up the cage and the plants and moving them to where the sunlight is, and doing it multiple times a day.

I'm looking for a way to get as much natural sunlight on them as possible while keeping moths or butterflies off. Is there anything lost, as far as sunlight and airflow, in using a cage?

Am I missing something a rookie like me would miss?

Any other advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks everyone.

And welcome! I’m old and retired also! Just hit the big 70! Have you given any thought to what size pot you’re gonna use? Fabric or plastic?And whether you’re gonna go auto or photo? Or both? Chasing the sun around all day should be a good way to keep in shape! just listen to ideas and pick what you think might work for you and what is feasible! Caterpillars are a tough adversary! And SoCal is famous for them! These guys are the cat men! I don’t have that problem, but I know growers that do! But take us along for the ride if you can!

 

[defective]

My brother’s in Riverside and major caterpillar problems! He said blacking out the yard helps quite a bit! But he still got slaughtered! Lol! Just not as quite as bad!

Well that explains it, I’m bout 15 miles from there! It’s always pretty dark in my backyard, I really think they smell it once they start to flower.

 

[Oldchucky]

It’s all over down there! So much ambient light you can’t even look at the stars at night! SoCal just seems to be the perfect storm for cats! i’m about 650 miles north of you near red Bluff, California!

 

[defective]

It’s all over down there! So much ambient light you can’t even look at the stars at night! SoCal just seems to be the perfect storm for cats! i’m about 650 miles north of you near red Bluff, California!

ah enjoy it man, so beautiful in NorCal…as for the stars, you’re telling me. I love all things space and if I was anywhere else I’d have a telescope, not here tho.

 

[charlie12]

And welcome! I’m old and retired also! Just hit the big 70! Have you given any thought to what size pot you’re gonna use? Fabric or plastic?And whether you’re gonna go auto or photo? Or both? Chasing the sun around all day should be a good way to keep in shape! just listen to ideas and pick what you think might work for you and what is feasible! Caterpillars are a tough adversary! And SoCal is famous for them! These guys are the cat men! I don’t have that problem, but I know growers that do! But take us along for the ride if you can!

Thank you so much for the welcome. And thanks to everyone for such generous responses. It will take me a minute to absorb all this -I admit it's a lot for me to take in since not only am I knew to growing cannabis, I've never been much of a gardener of anything. But, yes, retired, and tired of paying 30 some % in taxes at the dispensary.

As for the size and material of the pots, I've got clay pots that I believe are 12" in height. I was thinking about trying to get some feminized seeds, maybe one sativa and one indica. Are there certain strains that are more pest resistant?

As far as chasing the sun around all day, ha, you are so right and it's the thing that's got me almost as concerned as the caterpillars! I've tried to stay in decent shape, but once we get to a certain age (me? 68) it sure gets more difficult to do so. If it's not one thing that's slightly sore or injured it's another, and I have had some issues with my back that come and go--but I'm going to give it a try anyway.

I was thinking of getting one of these but larger, but not sure about the UV protected material because doesn't cannabis need all the sunlight you can put on it? Sorry if my questions have obvious answers that in my ignorance I don't know about.

Anyway, thanks again for all the responses. I've got a lot to go through and a lot to learn. Your help is very much appreciated-- charlie

 

[defective]

Thank you so much for the welcome. And thanks to everyone for such generous responses. It will take me a minute to absorb all this -I admit it's a lot for me to take in since not only am I knew to growing cannabis, I've never been much of a gardener of anything. But, yes, retired, and tired of paying 30 some % in taxes at the dispensary.

As for the size and material of the pots, I've got clay pots that I believe are 12" in height. I was thinking about trying to get some feminized seeds, maybe one sativa and one indica. Are there certain strains that are more pest resistant?

As far as chasing the sun around all day, ha, you are so right and it's the thing that's got me almost as concerned as the caterpillars! I've tried to stay in decent shape, but once we get to a certain age (me? 68) it sure gets more difficult to do so. If it's not one thing that's slightly sore or injured it's another, and I have had some issues with my back that come and go--but I'm going to give it a try anyway.

I was thinking of getting one of these but larger, but not sure about the UV protected material because doesn't cannabis need all the sunlight you can put on it? Sorry if my questions have obvious answers that in my ignorance I don't know about.

Anyway, thanks again for all the responses. I've got a lot to go through and a lot to learn. Your help is very much appreciated-- charlie

I think that screen looks perfect, I don’t think that would filter out much light at all and the UV protection prob means that it won’t fall apart after a year in the sun.

Those clay pots sound smallish, like a gallon…small pots = small plants. Save your back and if you have a spot that gets even a couple hours of direct sun, I’d leave it right there in a bigger pot…saying this while sitting on my couch recovering from back surgery.

 

[Oldchucky]

Thank you so much for the welcome. And thanks to everyone for such generous responses. It will take me a minute to absorb all this -I admit it's a lot for me to take in since not only am I knew to growing cannabis, I've never been much of a gardener of anything. But, yes, retired, and tired of paying 30 some % in taxes at the dispensary.

As for the size and material of the pots, I've got clay pots that I believe are 12" in height. I was thinking about trying to get some feminized seeds, maybe one sativa and one indica. Are there certain strains that are more pest resistant?

As far as chasing the sun around all day, ha, you are so right and it's the thing that's got me almost as concerned as the caterpillars! I've tried to stay in decent shape, but once we get to a certain age (me? 68) it sure gets more difficult to do so. If it's not one thing that's slightly sore or injured it's another, and I have had some issues with my back that come and go--but I'm going to give it a try anyway.

I was thinking of getting one of these but larger, but not sure about the UV protected material because doesn't cannabis need all the sunlight you can put on it? Sorry if my questions have obvious answers that in my ignorance I don't know about.

Anyway, thanks again for all the responses. I've got a lot to go through and a lot to learn. Your help is very much appreciated-- charlie

No such thing as a dumb question! I prefer fabric pots! They don’t cost very much! They breathe a lot better! And as far as the covering goes, I will defer to ninja! I just throw them to the wolves! I think 12 inch clay pots are a little small! I would prefer to see 7 1/2 gallon minimum! But that might be influenced by what you can drag around! Lol! Then you have to figure out what soil you’re gonna put them in! Can’t help you with the strains! But you will get some ideas! People will chime in!

 

[Oldchucky]

I think that screen looks perfect, I don’t think that would filter out much light at all and the UV protection prob means that it won’t fall apart after a year in the sun.

Those clay pots sound smallish, like a gallon…small pots = small plants. Save your back and if you have a spot that gets even a couple hours of direct sun, I’d leave it right there in a bigger pot…saying this while sitting on my couch recovering from back surgery.

Ouch! I hope it works for you! Back surgeries are tricky!