Hi, I'm new here. I wouldn't really call myself a "gardener", though I have always loved planting flowers, I don't know much about them. I recently planted a memorial garden along side my house for my daughter. Included in this garden is a small mini rose tree called "Daddy's Little Girl". I noticed a week or so ago that little green bugs were all over one or 2 of the new buds. I didn't do anything about it. Then I noticed they were multiplying and covering several of the new buds. I then found out that these are aphids. I know ladybugs eat them and we plan to release ladybugs in the garden for our daughters birthday in June. Until then, and on top of that what can I do to keep these things at bay! Last night I doused them with soapy water and hand picked and squished them, I was pretty sure I got all of them, but this morning there a bunch more again! Not as many, only on one or 2 of the buds again, but I know they multiply fast! Should I hand pick again? Should I spray with soapy water every day? I have heard of using Neem Oil, and tried to buy some last night, but couldn't find it at Home Depot, where can I buy it?? Will the Neem oil kill the lady bugs? I don't want to use harsh chemicals, we already spray chemicals for spiders and ants, and I hate using chemicals, so hoping not to add any more of them! Please help!
~Andrea~
Kaiya Rae's Momma
I used liquid dish soap last night. I didn't spray it, I squeezed it over the buds/branches and then hand picked the bugs off. Then I sqeezed it all over the plant. I guess dish soap is a detergent? I will have to get something different. What about Murphy's oil soap? I have some that. Thanks for you help!
~Andrea~
Kaiya Rae's Momma
~Andrea~
Kaiya Rae's Momma