Attack of the aphids

No_Such_Reality Wed 27 Mar 2013 - 19:20

Spring has sprung and the aphids are on the march.

I've got one onion container under assault with blow over to the other containers. I've released a box of lady bugs, they seem to be doing okay.

My shallots are another story. They went from nothing on them last week to being covered black today. They've been struggling anyway and are a bit small, but literally there is very little green visible through the aphids.

Anybody else under assault or am I just early blessed?

I've also noticed over on the side of the house, where I've massively cut back the heavenly bamboo, they are coated in powdery mildew.

Not shaping up to be a good year... :-(

Coelli Wed 27 Mar 2013 - 19:25

No_Such_Reality wrote:Anybody else under assault or am I just early blessed?

Not under assault so much, yet (my beds are covered with tulle, which keeps the worst off) but certainly more aphids than last year. My dinosaur kale was infested so last night I sprayed them down with a neem oil and a little dish soap, and then misted my unprotected tomatoes since I had a bunch left over, just in case.

Hang in there!

audrey.jeanne.roberts Wed 27 Mar 2013 - 19:50

I've been battling them for 3 weeks or so. We're in the 70s right now and they're in heaven in my garden. They're on my spinach, a particular variety of lettuce from my Mescalun mix and my radishes.

I might have mixed my Neem oil up in too light of a mix as it doesn't seem to be working past the immediate spray. It's the first time I've used it. Any pointers would be greatly appreciated.
aj

CapeCoddess Thu 28 Mar 2013 - 9:46

Oh no...looks like this'll be the year of the aphids. I had some on 2 of my tomato seedlings but was able to squish them off.

CC

Yardslave Fri 29 Mar 2013 - 7:45

I have seen an increase of aphids on my kale and radishes, as this seems to be a regular spring appearance. I will give them a soaking with an oil/soap spray solution. I found that the most effective time to spray is after sunset, when the temp drops. This also reduces the chance of any sun burning of the leaves. I also don't plant Fava beans in the fall, as they have been a major vector for aphids- when they aren't around in the Spring, the aphid population is way down, and no more black aphids at all.

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