Lee Burkhill: Award Winning Designer & BBC 1's Garden Rescue Presenters Official Blog
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I moved house at the end of last year and I now have an amazing well established garden. I’m learning how to look after it having only had a few pots before but it seems to be doing well!! I have an aphid infestation on one of the tutsans and it is next to other things including a blackberry bush. I didn’t want to spray it as I am worried about the wildlife that’s eating them but on the other hand I don’t want to leave it and have them spread everywhere. I wondered if I should cut it all back? Any advice would be much appreciated. Many thanks in advance, Christie
Morning,
I moved house at the end of last year and I now have an amazing well established garden. I’m learning how to look after it having only had a few pots before but it seems to be doing well!! I have an aphid infestation on one of the tutsans and it is next to other things including a blackberry bush. I didn’t want to spray it as I am worried about the wildlife that’s eating them but on the other hand I don’t want to leave it and have them spread everywhere. I wondered if I should cut it all back? Any advice would be much appreciated. Many thanks in advance, Christie
Is it a big infestation or just a few on the stems and leafs, If you have a hosepipe I would spray the plant, not using a normal water jet, but a spray (shower type) if you gun has one, and as spraying just rub the affected part of the plant through finger and thumb, thus either washing off the bugs or squashing them.
But don't forget these little critters are food for other wildlife, I hope Lee picks up on your post as he gardens organically, and he may have a tried and tested method.
Bob
Hello Christie,
Is it a big infestation or just a few on the stems and leafs, If you have a hosepipe I would spray the plant, not using a normal water jet, but a spray (shower type) if you gun has one, and as spraying just rub the affected part of the plant through finger and thumb, thus either washing off the bugs or squashing them.
But don't forget these little critters are food for other wildlife, I hope Lee picks up on your post as he gardens organically, and he may have a tried and tested method.
There seems to be an awful lot of them but they haven’t moved to the plants next to it yet. I left them on the Acer as there were some lady bugs eating them but it now looks terribly sad and I don’t want that happening to other things.
Thank you for the advice
Christie
Hi Bob,
There seems to be an awful lot of them but they haven’t moved to the plants next to it yet. I left them on the Acer as there were some lady bugs eating them but it now looks terribly sad and I don’t want that happening to other things.
If they are just on your Acer, try out an old remedy, washing up liquid and plain water.
A couple of tea spoons of washing up liquid into a hand spray bottle, top up with water, give it a good shake, you want a sticky liquid, and go spray the pests, using a hand spray you can get really close in, making sure the affected areas and pests are completely covered.
Was your Acer looking good prior to these aphids turning up?
Bob
Hi Christie,
If they are just on your Acer, try out an old remedy, washing up liquid and plain water.
A couple of tea spoons of washing up liquid into a hand spray bottle, top up with water, give it a good shake, you want a sticky liquid, and go spray the pests, using a hand spray you can get really close in, making sure the affected areas and pests are completely covered.
Was your Acer looking good prior to these aphids turning up?
Is it a big infestation or just a few on the stems and leafs, If you have a hosepipe I would spray the plant, not using a normal water jet, but a spray (shower type) if you gun has one, and as spraying just rub the affected part of the plant through finger and thumb, thus either washing off the bugs or squashing them.
But don't forget these little critters are food for other wildlife, I hope Lee picks up on your post as he gardens organically, and he may have a tried and tested method.
Bob
Hi Christie,
I echo Bob's advice. In particular the washing up liquid in a spray bottle formula.
I used this just the other week on an aphid attack on some of my new roses. I'd lovingly looked after them and fed them correctly. It goes to show that even us pros have gardening problems. So don't beat yourself up about it.
The way the washing up liquid works is to block the spiracles or breathing holes of the aphids so they suffocate. The detergent can also break down their waxy coatings again killing them. Not the nicest but you have to decide between beautiful roses or food for ladybirds sometimes. As your garden equilibrates with more beneficial insects you'll less likely need to use the washing up liquid option.
Is it a big infestation or just a few on the stems and leafs, If you have a hosepipe I would spray the plant, not using a normal water jet, but a spray (shower type) if you gun has one, and as spraying just rub the affected part of the plant through finger and thumb, thus either washing off the bugs or squashing them.
But don't forget these little critters are food for other wildlife, I hope Lee picks up on your post as he gardens organically, and he may have a tried and tested method.
Bob
Hi Christie,
I echo Bob's advice. In particular the washing up liquid in a spray bottle formula.
I used this just the other week on an aphid attack on some of my new roses. I'd lovingly looked after them and fed them correctly. It goes to show that even us pros have gardening problems. So don't beat yourself up about it.
The way the washing up liquid works is to block the spiracles or breathing holes of the aphids so they suffocate. The detergent can also break down their waxy coatings again killing them. Not the nicest but you have to decide between beautiful roses or food for ladybirds sometimes. As your garden equilibrates with more beneficial insects you'll less likely need to use the washing up liquid option.
Lee Burkhill: Award Winning Designer & BBC 1's Garden Rescue Presenters Official Blog
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