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Houseplant green fly
Emerion
Posts: 599
Hello,
Greenfly are constantly infesting my streptocarpus houseplants. I’ve tried squishing them and a vegetable oil based spray, which seems to clear them, but they keep coming back within days. The battle has been going on for over a year now. The supplier’s website recommends a systemic insecticide. I’m broadly against chemicals, but will use them when really necessary, and I think it has come to that with my poor plants. Are these insecticides all much of a muchness, or can you recommend one that works best? Thanks
Greenfly are constantly infesting my streptocarpus houseplants. I’ve tried squishing them and a vegetable oil based spray, which seems to clear them, but they keep coming back within days. The battle has been going on for over a year now. The supplier’s website recommends a systemic insecticide. I’m broadly against chemicals, but will use them when really necessary, and I think it has come to that with my poor plants. Are these insecticides all much of a muchness, or can you recommend one that works best? Thanks
Carmarthenshire (mild, wet, windy). Loam over shale, very slightly sloping, so free draining. Mildly acidic or neutral.
0
Posts
The oil based insecticides (neem oil/SB Invigorator et al) do help, but they work mainly by smothering the insect and 'glueing' them in place making them unable to move, so they die, but then more arrive and you're back to square one.
Like most of us I don't like to use anything systemic, but occasionally needs must.
I don't think there's much to choose between them, so I'd go for the cheapest available option.
PS - if possible try and avoid anything with neonicotinoids - they're not bee friendly
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
The big one was treated to a blast from our shower to clean the blighters off and wash them away. Seems to have worked just fine - so far.