Brown, black, or gray spots and dry, crunchy leaves can mean thrips. Prune an early infestation, and if it persists, clear the crop and deep clean the Flex Farm.
How to Identify the Issue
You may see brown, black or gray spots on leaves. Leaves may also be completely dehydrated, brown and crunchy. Thrips are very small light tan or brown insects with wings. Thrip larvae are very small white bugs with no wings.
What is Happening?
Thrips are a common plant pest that can be introduced from outside sources.
Prevention Steps
- Never handle the Flex Farm after being outside. Thrips are hitch-hikers and can travel on your clothes, shoes or hair.
- Isolate the Flex Farm from other produce, plants, or outdoor gardening tools brought in from outside.
- Practice good food safety: wash hands, wear gloves, etc., when handling the farm.
Resolution Steps
- Pruning: If your infestation is just beginning and confined to a single plant or a minimal area, you can simply prune the infested parts of your plants and get rid of them.
- Soap Spray: If your infestation is too large for pruning but still fairly small, you might try a soap spray. Mix one tablespoon of a mild, unscented liquid soap such as Castile soap with a spray bottle of water, then spray it onto infected areas. Repeat daily for one week to ten days.
- If the infestation persists, eliminate the entire crop and deep clean the Flex Farm following How to Deep Clean and Shut Down Your Flex Farm.
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