Lime Mint Plant

[Ric.ror]

I have recently bought two lime mint plants. I have repotted them with a base of small stones then compost and I finally added a layer of kitchen paper to the top to prevent flies laying eggs - I removed most of that this morning and it seems to have been successful and I’m happy with the progress except there is a slight trace of white (mildew I presume) on the bottom leaves. I have been watering every day from the bottom - should I continue to bottom water and how often? Then maybe spray with water once a week

TIA

[pastafreak]

You may be watering too often. Wait until top inch or 2 of soil is dry.
Are you keeping this indoors? I'd not bother with misting as that's been shown to encourage mildew.

[Ric.ror]

Thanks Pasta -shall I continue to bottom feed to discourage flies?

[pastafreak]

I've just remembered that using stones or rocks for drainage isn't recommended as it actually hinders drainage. For indoor pot plants, the addition of orchid bark and or perlite is used. That's what most of my plants are in.

[pastafreak]

Bottom watering is fine...then the plant takes up only what it needs.

[Ric.ror]

Oh - I’ll change to Perlite then
Btw on my other plants I’ve put a layer of ornamental plastic pebbles to make it more difficult for flies - I’ve also added a few yellow sticky traps too but particularly want to stop the laying in the first place

[Ric.ror]

Pasta - just looked at perlite - would you add it to the compost or layer it at the bottom?

[pastafreak]

Added to the compost...about 1/3 perlite mixed in.
When you say flies...do you mean the tiny fungus gnats? They are attracted to damp soil. The sticky traps should work. You coild also try Provanto spray...which iirc is safe to use on edible plants.