AJuff Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 Hello! Aphids are covering my iceberg climbing rose! I thought I'd order some ladybirds from green gardener but they aren't available until mid May. Any ideas how to clear them naturally without chemicals? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 Liquid soap and water in a spray bottle should do the trick. Or Use a hose pipe and blast them off. Good luck, crazy isn't it, green fly at this time of year! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 You can also squish them by hand being careful not to squash the young rose shoots Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJuff Posted March 25, 2008 Author Share Posted March 25, 2008 Yuk! Squishing them is out of the question! They are literally covering them from the bottom of the stem to the tip of the buds!!!!!! I will try the soapy water if I ever get home before dark! Roll on the lighter nights! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted March 26, 2008 Share Posted March 26, 2008 I am afraid that both aphids and caterpillars bring out my murderous side and get squished at will Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zircon Posted April 3, 2008 Share Posted April 3, 2008 Rhubarb ( ) Too early for leaves now, but take a green leaf from the stalk and soak it in a bucket of water. After a few days the toxins will be in the water and when used on Aphids etc will act as a natural pest killer !!!! My parents used to make their own plant food by hanging a hessian sack of horse muck in the water butt and it was used to water all the plants. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deb Dav Posted April 3, 2008 Share Posted April 3, 2008 Grow chives under it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiggy Posted April 3, 2008 Share Posted April 3, 2008 the rhubarb water does work, we have lots of stalks already, nettle water does the same Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJuff Posted April 3, 2008 Author Share Posted April 3, 2008 Wow, will be brewing nettles this weekend as I don't have rhubarb. Thanks for the tip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyren Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 Rhubarb "tea" is fine for flowering plants, but wash your hands carefully after handling it and don't put it on your veg, as it contains toxins Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...