Possibly a stupid question

Discussion in 'NEW Gardeners !' started by Fyfy K, Jun 16, 2015.

  1. Fyfy K

    Fyfy K Gardener

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    So I hope you don't mind me asking! I'm fighting an uphill struggle with aphids of all colour (green, black, red) on my garden - they started on the roses, but have now moved on to several of the new plants I recently put in. I originally brought an aphid killer for roses, but was wondering if I can use it on the other plants too. I assume so, but didn't want to make some massive newbie error and kill off half the flower bed.

    Any advice gratefully received!

    FyfyK
     
  2. Sheal

    Sheal Total Gardener

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    I've never used a killer for aphids Fyfy, I spray with a solution of washing up liquid in water for all plants. :)
     
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    • JWK

      JWK Gardener Staff Member

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      It should say on the label which plants you can use it on. I use a mild soap (Stergene) spray same as Sheal.
       
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      • ARMANDII

        ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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        Hi FyfyK, can I ask what you're actually using??, is it one of the systemic ones? Chemical Aphid Killers usually kill every other insect as well, including Bees, Hover Flies and other beneficial insects so I've stopped using chemicals. However, there other methods you might want to try:

        Tomato Leaf Spray
        Tomato plants, as members of the nightshade family, contain toxic compounds called alkaloids in their leaves. When the leaves of tomato plants are chopped, they release their alkaloids. When the alkaloids are suspended and diluted with water, they make an easy to use spray that is toxic to aphids, but still safe around plants and humans.

        What You'll Need:

        • One to two cups of tomato leaves
        • Two cups of water
        • A strainer or cheesecloth
        • Spray bottle
        To make tomato leaf spray, simply soak one to two cups of chopped tomato leaves in two cups of water. Let it steep overnight. To make the spray, strain the leaves out of the liquid using cheesecloth or a fine strainer. Add another one to two cups of water to the liquid and add it to a spray bottle.

        To use the tomato leaf spray in your battle against aphids, spray the stems and foliage of the infested plant with the spray, paying special attention to the undersides of leaves, since that is where aphids most commonly congregate.

        Caution: While this spray is very safe for humans, some people are allergic to members of the nightshade family. If you are one of them, use care in making and applying this spray.

        Garlic Oil Spray
        Organic gardeners have long relied on garlicas part of their pest-fighting arsenal. Garlic contains sulfur, which, besides being toxic to pests, is also an antibacterial and antifungal agent. The dish soap in this mixture also breaks down the bodies of soft-bodied pests, such as aphids.

        What You'll Need:

        • Three to four cloves of garlic
        • Mineral oil
        • Strainer or cheesecloth
        • Liquid dish soap
        • Water
        • Spray bottle
        To make garlic oil spray, mince or finely chop three to four cloves of garlic, and add them to two teaspoons of mineral oil. Let this mixture sit for 24 hours. Strain out the garlic pieces, and add the remaining liquid to one pint of water. Add one teaspoon of liquid dish soap. This mixture can be stored and diluted as needed. When you need to spray, use two tablespoons of the mixture added to one pint of water in a spray bottle.

        To use your garlic oil spray, first test by spraying an inconspicuous part of the plant to see if your mixture harms it at all. If there are no signs of yellowing or other leaf damage after a day or two, it is safe to use. If there is leaf damage, dilute the mixture with more water and try the test again. Once you have determined that it won't harm your plant, spray the entire plant, paying special attention to the undersides of leaves.

        Warning: Garlic oil is a non-selective insecticide, which means that it will kill beneficial insects (such as lady bugs, who are natural predators of aphids) just as easily as it kills the bad guys. It's best to keep as many beneficials around as possible. This spray should only be used if you haven't seen any beneficial bugs in your garden. The tomato leaf recipe, above, won't harm beneficials, so you should use that if you're lucky enough to have some beneficials in your garden.

        These sprays are easy to use, inexpensive, and effective. As you can see, even organic home remedies require care and attention to their effects. In general, use each spray as little as possible, and use it responsibly. You'll win the battle against aphids, and still have a healthy garden after they're gone.






         
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        • merleworld

          merleworld Total Gardener

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          Not only will chemical sprays kill insects, but it also kills the birds that eat the insects.
           
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          • CreakyJoints

            CreakyJoints Gardener

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            I was browsing through Suttons website last night and noticed that they are selling live ladybirds and ladybird larvae.
            Those will eat the greenfly.
            A pack of 25 adult ladybirds is £16.99 and a pack of 100 ladybird larvae is £24.99.
            If you look on their website, click on "garden equipment" then on the dropdown menu, click on "garden pest control". You'll find the ladybirds and larvae under the biological pest control section.
            Anyone know if its ok to post a link ?
             
          • Fyfy K

            Fyfy K Gardener

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            Thanks for all the replies! I really didn't know that an aphid spray would commit mass insect genocide so will definitely try out some of the gentler suggestions here. It's just when your newly installed plants are shrivelled and dying covered in black beasties you do get a bit desperate. @Sheal @ARMANDII thanks i'll be giving both a try. @CreakyJoints that sounds interesting, have you tried this?
             
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            • Apple Blossom

              Apple Blossom Total Gardener

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              Morning @Fyfy K, I use this method...its a natural way and friendly all round....

              A basic recipe for keeping aphids off your prize plants is a combination of oil, soap and essential oils. In 1/2 gallon of water, put a squirt of washing up liquid (lemon), 2 tablespoons of cooking oil and 10 drops of eucalyptus essential oil and stir gently. The soap should break up the oil so it can be mixed evenly. Then spray the solution on the plants, making sure to spray underneath the leaves as well as on top. The oil will smother and drown the aphids and the eucalyptus smell will deter other aphids from coming back. Lemon essential oil can be used as well as tea tree. You can also ‘paint’ the solution on with a brush if you wish to be more area-specific and/or make a smaller batch.
               
            • Sandy Ground

              Sandy Ground Total Gardener

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              Around the base of the roses, I put a circle of used coffee grounds. Then, spray them with a mix of neem oil, green soap, and water.

              Dont know if this is helpful, as I'm not sure if green soap (its made from pines) is available anywhere else.
               
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              • Voogy

                Voogy Gardener

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                I've always used soapy spray too :) kinda to the environment and to all the lovely creatures :)
                 
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