I'm a bit emotional right now. But in the bad way to be fair.
I just got stung by a wasp without any reason, after having to take a extensive shower before because my body was totally itchy from all the mites and whatnot. UGH! 😫
I've been pretty proud in the beginning of this experiment, because there were lots of wild bees, beetles and other cool critters around here. It's basically like being in nature.
But I forgot that nature sucks... 🥲
For example, imagine laying in the grass and just chilling.
Beautiful for the first 5 seconds, but then, you begin getting stung in the asscreek by a dozen ants and get everything ruined.
Nature is basically dead in my area, so only the asshole bugs survive here.
The whole balcony is swarmed by aphids/ mites as well as ant colonies that protect those suckers from ladybugs and other beneficial predatory insects.
The aphids droop honeydew everywhere, which attracts lots of yellow jacket wasps, which in return could kill my girlfriend in minutes because she's highly allergic.
I didn't even realise that asshole (the wasp, lol) is there until I got stung just by existing.
I'm right about to pull the trigger and get my pesticides (neem oil/ pyrethrum extract) out.
Also, I began to hate soil even more than before.
I have to hunt for slugs every evening, because they're everywhere, and I can barely stand a chance against them.
There are gnats living in it too, as well as other unwanted guests.
The plants in soil are starting to spread diseases and pests to my otherwise healthy plants in hydroponics. I will for example harvest my weed soon, and there are bugs sticking in the buds like in a glue trap. I have no idea how I should get them out of them, it's just disgusting.
I also largely prefer hydro compared to soil, not only because there are less pests, but also because due to the much lower water demand and control it gives me.
The soil is guzzling water like crazy and still the plants are looking way less healthy.
Spraying neem oil on my hydro plants and just not using soil anymore seems to be the way better choice right now.
Sorry for the rant. It had to be.
What should I do?
That's why I made this post. Because maybe I needed some feedback from real people, with hands on experience, who either tried but failed, or did something a bit different and succeeded.
I didn't criticise what you said, it's how you said it.
I'm highly glad for your input, but I personally think that you could have said it a bit more friendly while being just as honest at the same time.
Sure, there's always a german word for something :D
Right now, I can think of "Schreibtischexperte" (desktop expert), but maybe "Praxisversager" (a loser in hands-on-experience), or Theorieprofessor.
2 out if the 3 were made up by myself just at the moment, lol.
Stable means for me, that there aren't zero pests, but also no overabundance.
I think I may have overreacted a bit yesterday.
I was already pissed about having itchy bugs everywhere on my skin, and then the wasp attack was the final nail in the coffin...
I planted the willow there on purpose, because last year, when I went for a walk, I noticed mainly the willow trees being swarmed by pests.
They act not only as a trellis for me, but also as a bait, so the pests are only sucking the sap of the willow and not the stuff around. And then, they attract predators, which will ward off any critters that might attack my crops.
However, I didn't think about the relationship between the ants and those bastards.
I think you are absolutely right. I think some of the plants are stressed because they are overcrowded, and there isn't sufficient light and airflow.
I tried to experiment this year and see how much I can grow per m².
Even though it sucks right now, I would call this experiment successful.
I think I have learned something: More isn't better.
My balcony will be less crowded next year.
Also, your garden looks cool af! 😁 Thanks for sharing the video!
And again, thank you for all the advice :)