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Whitefly problem

emmara6JOee6emmara6JOee6 Posts: 3
in Problem solving
Hi! I’ve just noticed a lot of whitefly on my purple sprouting broccoli plants (still potted up) They seem to be dried on so washing them off isn’t working. Can anyone give me some advice on what I can do as I’m new to all this. Thank you 🙂

Posts

  • nick615nick615 Posts: 1,487
    There are two main solutions.  A solution of washing up liquid, sprayed on the plants, will usually use its salt content to knock them off, but the other for non-edible crops is a similar solution made from a liquid of boiled rhubarb leaves, once cooled.  Both are sprayed from a cast off household spray, something it's always wise to have in the shed.
  • Jenny_AsterJenny_Aster Posts: 945
    Are you sure it's not aphid skin you're seeing. If so then the 'molted' aphids could have been eaten already. Just a thought.
    Trying to be the person my dog thinks I am! 

    Cambridgeshire/Norfolk border.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I think it may be as @Jenny_Aster describes. If they were live aphids, you'd be able to wash or wipe them off quite easily.  :)
    Have you got a photo @emmara6JOee6?
    If they're still potted, they may well be a bit stressed, which also invites pests. They should really be planted out by now, which will help the plants.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • emmara6JOee6emmara6JOee6 Posts: 3
    Thanks for your replies. Some are alive and some look dead, as you suggest. Should I just get them planted up then? I only have antibacterial washing up liquid, would that be ok to use? Thanks for your advice. 
  • emmara6JOee6emmara6JOee6 Posts: 3

  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    You can tell white fly from aphids,  if you go near or touch the plants the white fly fly up in clouds,  that’s why some recommend sticky tapes in the GH. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • nick615nick615 Posts: 1,487
    I don't think the brand of washing up liquid is important, as most items like WUL and shampoo use salt as a thickening agent.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Just be aware @emmara6JOee6 - if you decide to spray with washing up liquid of any kind that it contains salt, so you only use a tiny drop in about a litre of water. The last thing you want to do is spray your plants with salty water. 
    Water on it's own will work though, but I think it's more about looking at how you're growing the plants to help prevent problems in the first place. They seem to be in quite small pots, but it's hard to tell from the photo   :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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