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Aphid Massacre - The Aftermath

februarysgirlfebruarysgirl Posts: 835
in Plants
I bought lots of new shrubs this year, one of which was a honeysuckle (Mandarin). I planted it in March and all was well so I left it to its own devices. I checked on its progress a couple of weeks ago and it was utterly infested with greenfly. Did the usual research and decided that insecticidal soap was the way to go. I knocked most of them off into a small bowl of water, cut off the leaves that were too damaged and gave the remainder a squirt with diluted insecticidal soap (1 part soap to 15 parts water as per instructions) for a couple of days. All seemed well but then a few days ago, it started looking wilted so I gave it a good watering. This hasn't improved things, it's now looking worse and there's some darkening at the edges of some of the leaves. Would the best thing be to cut back the existing growth or is there another issue?

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  • chickychicky Posts: 10,410
    edited May 2021
    My solution to aphids is to hang a bird feeder next door to the problem (I have one on a shepherd’s crook that I move round specially) once the blue tits have found the feeder they quickly move on to the aphids.

    I’ve never used a soap solution so can’t advise on your current situation- sorry
  • februarysgirlfebruarysgirl Posts: 835
    chicky said:
    My solution to aphids is to hang a bird feeder next door to the problem (I have one on a shepherd’s crook that I move round specially) once the blue tits have found the feeder they quickly move on to the aphids.

    I’ve never used a soap solution so can’t advise on your current situation- sorry
    There is a bird feeder relatively close that blue tits use but moving it any closer wouldn't be a good idea. There are a number of neighbourhood cats that frequent the garden and the honeysuckle is positioned in a spot which would make it far easier for them to catch any birds using it.
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    I've not used insecticidal soap, but could it be that after spraying the plant it was in the sun for a time?
    If so, that may have caused the damage, and given some time and tlc new growth may be ok.
    I'd say don't let it dry out and see how it goes

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • februarysgirlfebruarysgirl Posts: 835
    edited May 2021
    @Pete.8 no, not that. It's planted in the east facing bed and was sprayed in the afternoon so was in the shade at that point. I have a rose in the west facing bed that had the same aphid problem (no damaged foliage though) which was sprayed at the same time but it's perfectly fine 🤷‍♀️
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Maybe it's just recovering from the aphid attack then.
    I don't think there's much you can do other then ensure it doesn't dry out.
    Don't give it any feed, just water for now.
    They're pretty tough plants and so long as there's nothing fundamentally wrong with it hopefully you'll see some fresh green shoots soon 🤞

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • februarysgirlfebruarysgirl Posts: 835
    @Pete.8 Do you think it's worth cutting back the worst leaves? They aren't adding anything, just making it look terrible.
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Not at the moment.
    For whatever reason it has become stressed and cutting bits off won't help if it's already not well.
    Try and be patient for a couple of weeks and see how it goes.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • februarysgirlfebruarysgirl Posts: 835
    @Pete.8 Will do 🙂
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Let us know how it goes :)

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • februarysgirlfebruarysgirl Posts: 835
    edited June 2021
    @Pete.8 It hasn't gone well 😔



    I've emailed Burncoose and they said to give it a light prune so we'll see what happens.
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