Storms and chickens

[emmamakeup]

Hi everyone

 

After inspecting my tom plants this morning I notice some small green insects on the leaves. Are these greenfly? If so, is there a good organic solution to them? I heard about removing them with soapy water. If this isn't the solution have you any ideas?

[moochoo]

I've used soapy water sprayed onto the affected areas. My friend has polytunnels full of toms and recommends a biological predator like these:

http://www.just-green.com/c/978/Aphids---Greenfly-Blackfly.html

[emmamakeup]

Thanks Sarah

 

Will give that a go tonight and see if it helps

[Christian]

A couple of cloves of garlic in a spray bottle mixed with water and squirt the plants. Works on blackfly too

[Valkyrie]

That's interesting Christian - do you crush the cloves first? Last year I used soap to try to kill the aphids on the artichokes - and they turned black and died (except for 2 that struggled and made it). I've noticed quite a few now and have been crushing them as I see them, or blasting with the hose on the sturdier plants. Apparently aphids hate being constantly knocked down from the younger leaves.

[Christian]

Just bruise and soak them in the spray bottle. I leave them in there and just top up as necessary. No need to peel

[Valkyrie]

Thankies - will try that tomorrow.

[chickencam]

Thanks for that I will try on my broadbeans. Do you think I will get garlic infused beans?

 

I have used soapy water on my chilli plants with some success but up to now my toms are clean.

[dancing cloud]

I dusted my greenfly-infested roses with diatomaceous earth and they didn't seem to like it much Not sure if it will keep them away, but it certainly seemed to work almost instantly.

[redhotchick]

I've used soapy water sprayed onto the affected areas. My friend has polytunnels full of toms and recommends a biological predator like these:

http://www.just-green.com/c/978/Aphids---Greenfly-Blackfly.html

 

During their life cycle they moult four times, which results in white skins being left on plants. These skins are often mistaken for whitefly, when they should seen as a warning of dangerously high aphid numbers.

 

Very interesting!

[Valkyrie]

The garlic bath seems to be working, but now the snails and slugs are having a go yet again. If it isn't one thing, it's another.

[dancing cloud]

The greenfly have not returned to my DE-dusted roses , so that may be worth a try if you have any. Not sure if it will have any effect on slugs/snails though.

[Old Speckled Hen]

My greenhouse is stuffed to capacity with tomato plants and I expect a plague of something or other at some stage. I have 10 pots of marigolds placed around and touch wood all is clear at present.

[redhotchick]

I have been so careful to watch out for greenfly, but something has nibbled one of the stems half way through destroying one of my tomato plants. Maybe mice or slugs? I hope they don't come back for the rest.

[Valkyrie]

If it's a mouse, hopefully it has been poisoned organically! Sounds like slugs or snails. Are there any gnawing marks? If it has smooth edges it will be a pesky mollusc. If the top of your tomato plant looks as though it is beginning to droop, cut it off and pop it in a pot. Keep it watered and it will take root. Or to be on the safe side, pack some compost around the nibbled area and it might take root and then you can cut it off, or it might carry on growing normally. Any side shoots can be picked out and bunged in compost to make more plants - you won't need rooting powder either. They look a bit sad for a few days and then they perk up.

[redhotchick]

If it's a mouse, hopefully it has been poisoned organically! Sounds like slugs or snails. Are there any gnawing marks? If it has smooth edges it will be a pesky mollusc. If the top of your tomato plant looks as though it is beginning to droop, cut it off and pop it in a pot. Keep it watered and it will take root. Or to be on the safe side, pack some compost around the nibbled area and it might take root and then you can cut it off, or it might carry on growing normally. Any side shoots can be picked out and bunged in compost to make more plants - you won't need rooting powder either. They look a bit sad for a few days and then they perk up.

 

I didn't look too closely at the hole in the stem. The plant had also fallen over, so it was difficult to tell. I did think on to pop the cutting back in the pot. Never thought to pack the gnawed bit with soil instead of snapping it off though. That would have worked.

[Valkyrie]

TBH, I haven't tried that, but I thought as they take so easily, why not? That's what can be done with some indoor plants, like rubber plants. I know if you keep them in pots, you can add more compost to the top as well to cover ariel roots. Some places provide rings to put into grow bags for extra height and more compost, so . . . nothing ventured, nothing gained!