This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.
Aphid removal
So I've been growing chillies from seed for two years now and I'm a very proud parent. I started off with about 12 plants and through mainly aphid attacks I now only have three which are still healthy and aphid free. That was until this week. I sacrificed the others by trying a few things to get rid of the aphids but as a novice nothing I've tried has worked and I'm getting desperate. Even with wiping every leave they still come back and I just don't have the time do clean the leaves frequently enough. Are there any proven sprays that I can use. Any advice would be really appreciated!
0
Posts
I just try to keep up with squishing them. Failing that a solution of soapy water in a spray bottle, I don't like to use Chemicals. You can always try potting up some Marigolds around them during the warmer months as they help to deter aphids.
leave them alone for a short while and I'm sure the ladybirds, lacewings etc will find them too and leave lots of eggs .
Be brave and give it a bit of time.
Fill a bucket with tepid water with a squirt of washing up liquid.
Pick up a potted chilli plant with your fingers spread over the top of the pot to hole the compost in - turn it upside down and swish it around in the bucket until all the leaves are wet then turn it back the right way up and let it dry.
That'll sort them out.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Pyrethrin is a safe option, but it does kill ladybirds and other friendly insects. I'd try Dove's trick, I know weak squeazy works.