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aphid trouble
So we finally rid our garden of the pesky pocket gopher (my dad went out like the great white hunter and shot him with a pellet gun), but now we're having problems with aphids. There's THOUSANDS of them. We sprayed all the plants with a soap and water solution but now the plants are all spotty and it seems like the aphids are still killing them. Not only are the plants shriveling up but the little squash they are producing are coming out deformed and very very small (when the plants were healthy we were getting really nice large squash). Is it too late for the plants that have already been attacked or can they be saved? So far they've attacked out squash and pepper plants. We've looked up some home remedies but aren't sure which would work best. We live in Fresno, Ca so its been like 112 here and I think using the oil solution will burn the plants. any advice will be greatly appreciated!
- hendi_alex
- Super Green Thumb
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Did you rinse the soap off after a few minutes? Here is an excerpt from a quick search:
"After spraying, some
plants may exhibit signs of phytotoxicity such as browning of the leaves in patches or along their margins in patches.
Generally, plants whose leaves are not heaviIy waxed,......."
"To mitigate possible damage resulting from the use of sprays made from household cleaning products,
test-spray part of the plant, and carefully observe the sprayed area for signs of damage daily, for at least two weeks.
If browning occurs, the solution may be too strong. Rinsing plants with water several hours after spraying may also
mitigate the burning effect."
"After spraying, some
plants may exhibit signs of phytotoxicity such as browning of the leaves in patches or along their margins in patches.
Generally, plants whose leaves are not heaviIy waxed,......."
"To mitigate possible damage resulting from the use of sprays made from household cleaning products,
test-spray part of the plant, and carefully observe the sprayed area for signs of damage daily, for at least two weeks.
If browning occurs, the solution may be too strong. Rinsing plants with water several hours after spraying may also
mitigate the burning effect."
I'm just testing a solution of equal parts pureed onion and water, plus a little pureed hot pepper, on my field peas with aphids. So far (applied early yesterday) no more aphids on the parts treated (some have appeared in other areas), and no sign of burning. I've read it's best to apple this solution early or late, not in the heat of the day; I'd imagine because of burning problems.
I see some burn spots on leaves where I applied my homemade mix and it dripped. No burns on stems and buds where the aphids were, so the "wipe with a rag" method may be better than spraying. The treated areas still have no aphids, but I will have to reapply -- they're taking up residence on nearby stems.
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- applestar
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I don't want to jinx myself but I usually don't have serious aphid problems during the growing season because earlier in the year, the plum trees get COVERED in aphids -- we're talking sticky sap everywhere. (My in-laws cut down theirs because their cars were parked under the trees and they got tired of spraying the plum trees and washing the cars. ) BUT! as a result, the plum trees are subsequently COVERED and CRAWLING with ladybug larvae. In June, my kids and I had to tip-toe to the hammock under the plum trees and only swing slightly so as not to squish the ladybug pupae that were attached to everything from the hammock stand, rope, blades of grass underneath, etc.
Now, I have no shortage of lady bugs or larvae. If I see something with aphids and want immediate action, I just bring a larvae from non-essential weed. If I do nothing, by the next day or so, I see ladybugs on the job
Now, I have no shortage of lady bugs or larvae. If I see something with aphids and want immediate action, I just bring a larvae from non-essential weed. If I do nothing, by the next day or so, I see ladybugs on the job
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- Newly Registered
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- Joined: Sun Jun 22, 2008 11:03 pm
- Location: Fresno
its called Dr. Earth Organic Insect Spray. Its worked pretty good so far, I only spray in the evening. but you have to be careful where you spray cause its not selective for lady bugs (ie it kills them ). But after I rid my garden of most of them I rinsed everything with water and bought a container of 2000 lady bugs...so now its their turn to go to work!!
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