Help needed... black bugs :(

Hi guys,

am in need of some advice please

My mum and dad brought me what I believe to be called a Black Lace last year, it had been doing great and has grown loads.... anyway.... I've just noticed it was looking limp and not quite right; on closer inspection I've seen some black bugs all over the underneath branches. :( I'm wondering what's the best course of action? I have some bug spray for my veggie patch, will this help?.. Also should I cut back the "floppy" branches?

Feel really gutted that I might loose one of my fav plants in the garden esp as it's just starting to flower.

This is only my second year taking an interest in my garden so any tips would be really appreciated.

Thanks

 

Hi
Sound like you have a elderberry bush they do get blackkfly/aphids if the have to much ferttiliser in the spring makes all the growth soft and the aphids love it even more .
What spray have you got ???.

Also the leaves could be floppy as it needs a drink (and dont anyone say elderberry juice)


Spruce

 

Hi Spruce,

Thanks for replying, I've been trying to upload pics but it's not working for some reason, I think maybe the files too big..

I've had a quick look on google of images of black lace and elderberry and it's def the Black lace I have. We've had plenty of rain over the last week so not sure if I need to water it. Some of the branches are close to snappingand are really floppy and weak? The spray I have is called Bug Clear for fruit and veg!

 

Yes give then a spray with that I have a feeling they can droop at times ?? so I woudnt over worry , I know they dont like to be in a windy spot especialy the black lace variety were about do you grow it IE FULL SUN ?? SHADE ?? PROTECTED FROM THE WIND ??? sorry about the caps
Spruce

 

I've given it a good spray, I tried to pick some off but there just seemed to be even more underneath :( Atm it's in a sunny spot most of the day but does get shade. It's fairly protected from the wind, having a few other trees either side and the fence. I understand what you mean about it dropping when it needs a drink, I did notice this when I first got it. Some of the branches seem to have got worst today. Still unsure if I should cut the worst effected areas and maybe replant somewhere else.

Thanks again for taking time to reply

 

Hi

give it a good water and see what happens, you might think it is wet enough but ..... who knows I woudnt cut anything off yet ... leave alone , let the spray work for a couple of days ,have you a photo ???

Spruce

 

Hey Spruce,

have been trying to get a pic up but not sure what I'm doing wrong, I'll get my hubby to have a go over the wkend...

On a good note, all the bugs seem to be gone I've given it some more water and it's not looking as bad at all... a few leaves and a couple of branches have been lost though, but I think it's def getting better... Thanks for your help

 

It was a pleasure :yess::yess:

Spruce

 

Just remembered I have a photobucket account...

 

it looks great and realy healthy
they are very floppy leaves when new and dry out quickly I was looking in the garden centre this morning and they had floped at the top
You need to give this a good water at least once a week even if it rains as it has a lot of competition with its friends plus planted next to a hose wall will suck the water out

Spruce (happy ending):yess:

 

Nice one Spruce I will keep on top of it from now on.. I really fo love the flowers it produces and would be so upset if I lost it... was in a mighty grump for 2 days while trying to sort it out... Think I'm falling in love with the garden... even though it's a lot of hard work.

Ohhh just one more question, it's in a huge pot atm would it be better planted out now. It was tiny last year and I really didn't expect it to grow this much already?

 

Hi

Remember it grows quite large , so hopfully the window wont be in the way .

Is it staying in that spot ??

If so incorporate some compost dig a nice big hole and brake up the sub soil and give it freedom same level as it was growing in the pot I woudnt bother at this time of year mixing in any fertiliser dont want to much sappy growth that the winter will kill off , you can give it a treat in the spring bone meal , or blood fish & bone .
No wonder it drooped in a pot now you tell me :gaagh:it should of been watered everyday or every second

Spruce

 

heehee.. Oops.. I had been watering nearly every day apart from when it rained..

I've got a spot a little further up the garden that still has some protection from wind and gets a fair bit of sun.. I'll follow your advice and will remember to get some blood and fish bone.. I've just recently seen some for sale in it's a gift will that do the job or should I get some from a decent garden centre?... sorry always more questions

 

A plant in a pot is like you walking in the rain with a umberella
"do ya get me" street talk without a umberella I get wet .....

Wait until the spring to get the bonemeal and I would get from gardencentre ot large store , but I dont want you feeding until next spring !!!! I will be watching
We want the new growth ready for the winter (toughen up)

Spruce

 

LOL!!!! Ok, ok... I think I'm gonna be posting alot more on here... It seem I have a ALOT to learn :/ Hahaha!!

Thanks again