There was a lady on TV a while ago who specialises in Hostas - not a slug to be seen anywhere and all the Hostas were perfect. "What's the secret" the presenter asked. She took a bulb of garlic and mashed it up & mixed it with water (I think it was about a gallon (5 Litres)). She then used that as her concentrate and added a little to a 2 litre sprayer, topped up with water and sprayed her plants. Slugs and snails hated it she said. If you use this method though remember to strain the concentrate before mixing as the tiny bits could block the sprayer jet or clog the filter if it has one. Don't know what the dilution would need to be for aphids though [I've not heard of the method being used to deter them]. John H
Hi there, my rose bushes and butterfly bush are covered in greenfly. I use diluted Fairy Liquid but doesn't seem to deter them at all. Planting marigold was a pointless exercise as they have all been eaten. All I can do without having to resort to using chemicals is water the plants thoroughly to make sure they remain healthy. I had black spot on a few leaves on the rose bush which I've cut off and destroyed. I know this is not much help but just so you know you are not alone in fighting the battle against greenfly, aphids and black spot. My acers were also attacked with aphids but unfortunately, I had no choice but to use Rose Clear and when that failed I ended up spraying with fairy liquid and picking them off with my fingers as well as squishing them off the branches. As for ladybirds, I've seen only one on my Acer!
I saw a ladybird today with no spots! I've never seen one like that before.
When I first moved in here there was about a dozen sick looking roses. The next door neighbour told me I would need to spray every three weeks to keep off greenfly, black spot, etc. B-- that for a game of soldiers. I havn't got the time nor inclination. I ripped out all the roses and never looked back.
I did read that if you dangle a fat ball above the roses, the blue tits will clear the aphids while they are waiting their turn for the fat ball.
I infused boiling water with orange peel, and spraying that every few days has kept greenfly off our roses, but it doesnt do much good on the honeysuckle, which is COVERED.
There seems to be no end.....we are all plagued by the dreaded greenfly. I've also heard hanging fat balls near the affected plant(s) will do the trick and the birds will happily pick off the greenfly. My butterfly bush, roses and twisted hazel is covered in greenfly but since the fat balls are too heavy for these plants, I blast them off with a jet of water - temporary measure which seems to work. Keep the plants well watered.
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There was a lady on TV a while ago who specialises in Hostas - not a slug to be seen anywhere and all the Hostas were perfect. "What's the secret" the presenter asked. She took a bulb of garlic and mashed it up & mixed it with water (I think it was about a gallon (5 Litres)). She then used that as her concentrate and added a little to a 2 litre sprayer, topped up with water and sprayed her plants. Slugs and snails hated it she said. If you use this method though remember to strain the concentrate before mixing as the tiny bits could block the sprayer jet or clog the filter if it has one. Don't know what the dilution would need to be for aphids though [I've not heard of the method being used to deter them]. John H
Hi there, my rose bushes and butterfly bush are covered in greenfly. I use diluted Fairy Liquid but doesn't seem to deter them at all. Planting marigold was a pointless exercise as they have all been eaten. All I can do without having to resort to using chemicals is water the plants thoroughly to make sure they remain healthy. I had black spot on a few leaves on the rose bush which I've cut off and destroyed. I know this is not much help but just so you know you are not alone in fighting the battle against greenfly, aphids and black spot. My acers were also attacked with aphids but unfortunately, I had no choice but to use Rose Clear and when that failed I ended up spraying with fairy liquid and picking them off with my fingers as well as squishing them off the branches. As for ladybirds, I've seen only one on my Acer!
It will be interesting to see how big a difference your ladybirds make Sara 4 do keep us informed. Thanks.
how is everybodys greenfly problem have the ladybirds done there job sara 4
I saw a ladybird today with no spots! I've never seen one like that before.
When I first moved in here there was about a dozen sick looking roses. The next door neighbour told me I would need to spray every three weeks to keep off greenfly, black spot, etc. B-- that for a game of soldiers. I havn't got the time nor inclination. I ripped out all the roses and never looked back.
I did read that if you dangle a fat ball above the roses, the blue tits will clear the aphids while they are waiting their turn for the fat ball.
if only it were just the roses
Where have you got them little-ann?
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
strawberry, clematis,dahlias,lupins etc etc etc
I infused boiling water with orange peel, and spraying that every few days has kept greenfly off our roses, but it doesnt do much good on the honeysuckle, which is COVERED.
Might have to resort to chemicals : (
There seems to be no end.....we are all plagued by the dreaded greenfly. I've also heard hanging fat balls near the affected plant(s) will do the trick and the birds will happily pick off the greenfly. My butterfly bush, roses and twisted hazel is covered in greenfly but since the fat balls are too heavy for these plants, I blast them off with a jet of water - temporary measure which seems to work. Keep the plants well watered.