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Post by wendya on Mar 15, 2014 12:03:24 GMT
All my new shoots on my valerios (not sure if spelt right) have green and white fly on the new growth  can anyone advise please I need a few lady birds, but is there anything i can put on them don't want to use chemicals though. |
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Post by Ladygardener on Mar 16, 2014 7:38:28 GMT
You could try diluted fairy liquid in a spray wendya. |
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Post by wendya on Mar 16, 2014 9:57:19 GMT
OK I will try that one,, i have used before years ago but wasn't sure if old wives tale, i don't get where all these damn flies have come from, round the corner their valerios are fine, but mine are covered in them. If this doesn't work any more suggestions as there seem to be lots of them.
I will do that immediately and let you know later, i am, presuming i need to maybe do every day in hopes they may fly off or this kills them all.
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Post by Jilly on Mar 16, 2014 12:00:50 GMT
I agree with Ladygardener about the diluted washing up liquid wendya. I don't know the extent of the problem, but I'm a firm believe in going round & squishing them with my fingers (a messy but strangely satisfying job  ) it won't get rid of them all, but that's the problem you need some aphids about, to attract in the things that eat them. If it's any consolation, I had this problem when I stopped using sprays, it does seem to balance out after a few seasons once the beneficial insects move in, but I know it can be a complete pain until then. |
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Post by Ladygardener on Mar 16, 2014 16:55:09 GMT
I too go round with a pair of latex gloves on me and squash with my fingers, I've been known to do it without gloves as well.  |
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Post by wendya on Mar 17, 2014 9:06:24 GMT
Well i was so upset yesterday, i did the washing up liquid business which after a few hours clearly wasnt having much effect,, then i posted on fb asking people someone recommended garlic cloves boiled so i ran out and bought 10 bulbs and crushed boiled them and strained, must admit this seemed to have more effect, they were all flying off ants panicking that protect them. So this morning i checked and definite some are dead or have left, but 2 of the valerios are a mess dark leaves now on new growth, do wonder if its best to chop these off now as no doubt they will re grow. I will be out again in a hour to spray again, than may cut back all the damage, horrid things they are.
I am thinking of buying lady birds in May when they are ready to purchase.
I am not sure i like the sounds of squishing them bare handed LOL
Has anyone used garlic?
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Post by wendya on Mar 17, 2014 10:23:18 GMT
yes definitely seems to be less this morning, spayed on more garlic water and cut back a few damaged ones that were far too gone. Has anyone ever bought ladybird larve? seems valeriums are very liked by aphids any other useful things i need to get to protect against, maybe if i put up a bird feeder? would this help But now they seem much better, but will be out again tonight with a spray of garlic lol keeps the vampires away  |
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Post by Jilly on Mar 17, 2014 12:56:13 GMT
To be honest wendya, Valerian is such a rampant grower I would be tempted to cut back any badly infected stems, it'll soon be back. I think ladybird lava for sale is more for use in greenhouses, as they're quite expensive & the chances are they would fly away as soon as they were able, a bird feeder is a very good idea though. Blue Tits are very good for eating aphids (as long as you don't mind them ripping bits of plant in their enthusiasm ). I've heard very good reports of garlic sprays, I think we had a thread on here at one point, no doubt someone better at linking than me will be along and find it. I think the only problem with it is that if you're using it in warm weather, your fragrant flower garden won't smell quite like you'd expect it too, like you say though you will be safe from vampires |
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Post by Rosefriend on Mar 17, 2014 13:24:20 GMT
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Post by wendya on Mar 18, 2014 14:11:36 GMT
Brilliant thanks for thread, last lof of garlic liquid applied, and lots had to be cut off, what a mess they make, but i guess they will grow, as boy have they grown in last week, just hoping they don't return, its more the ants now that are there, probably looking for more aphids to help Yes Jilly my hubby said that about ladybirds lol I even found one and put it on, but i need to have a think of how to combat this situation, I never in the world of man thought i would be having a war with aphids, its strange how gardening affects you. hehe garlic tomatoes Rosefriend. |
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Post by Tig on Mar 26, 2014 0:42:02 GMT
Get some ant powder wendya - they 'farm' aphids for food - if you get rid of the ants chances are you will have far fewer aphids to deal with Gotta love the challenges of gardening, it is a constant battle against the wee beasties |
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Post by wendya on Mar 27, 2014 8:16:57 GMT
ok ant powder where do i buy this, is this ok with wildlife and other things, but good idea as do see the ants are the ones that are protecting the aphids. I would never have thought aphids were about in March But thanks for advise Tig |
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Post by wendya on Mar 28, 2014 8:49:27 GMT
Tig, can you advise what ant powder as all the damn aphids are back and eating away every valerious new growth, i can see im going to have to cut back again seems the garlic doesn't affect the ants. So i need to kill them. |
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Post by wendya on Apr 4, 2014 11:33:06 GMT
I have now decided not to use ant powder as it could kill ladybirds,, so just sticking to the garlic solution with soap every 2 days and it seems to be working, as now I can see buds coming on the valerium ants still hanging about but certainly not as many athids |
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Post by wendya on Apr 15, 2014 11:05:16 GMT
I need now to spray with garlic every 2 days, this weird looking fly seems like its eating the aphids now there are rather a lot of these flies or whatever they are, now sure if you can see it int his pic on the valerium, there is at least 15 of these insects hiding in it, but aphids are less.  |
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Post by wendya on Apr 15, 2014 11:05:43 GMT
no you cant see well
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can anyone advise please I need a few lady birds, but is there anything i can put on them don't want to use chemicals though.
) it won't get rid of them all, but that's the problem you need some aphids about, to attract in the things that eat them. If it's any consolation, I had this problem when I stopped using sprays, it does seem to balance out after a few seasons once the beneficial insects move in, but I know it can be a complete pain until then. 
