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Aphids and scab on my espalier apples

Hazel DayHazel Day Posts: 2
in Problem solving

In early Spring my espalier apple trees become infested with aphids, too many to squish with finger and thumb.  They are 'Royal Gala' and 'Bountiful' as the fruit is growing they develop what I think is apple scab, this only affects the outer skin but looks awful.  I am very tidy and always clear away and burn any fallen leaves. Can anyone suggest the best way of getting rid of this problem?

Posts

  • Steve 309Steve 309 Posts: 2,753

    I've found a good way of getting rid of small insects like aphids is to spray with garlic emulsion:

    1. Squash several cloves/a whole head/several heads of garlic, depending on how much spraying you expect to do
    2. Boil them up in a large pan of water (lid on, windows open for preference) until they disintegrate/you can't stand the smell/the windows all steam up.
    3. Strain through a fine sieve.
    4. Add some oil (cooking for preference, but engine will work)
    5. Add a good squirt of detergent and mix thoroughly, probably in an old pop bottle
    6. Pour some into a sprayer and give all the leaves a good squirt, especially underneath which is where the little b*ggers hide, a soon as you spot the first ones.

    Some say you should dilute it.

    I've used this with success for

    ...aphids on roses and sawfly on goosegogs....

    (which sounds like the first line of a song)

     

  • Hazel DayHazel Day Posts: 2

    I like your idea Steve 309, I know most creatures will not go near anything smelling of garlic. Including witches.

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