I have ordered two Bishops as well for the first time - York and Oxford I think. I'm so glad that dahlias seem to be making a bit of a comeback. They always remind me of my dad who grew them every year in the garden. And lifted them every year and dusted them I think with sulphur before putting them in the shed.
'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
I had Bishop of Llandaff tubers last year - the flowers just went on and on, were easy to maintain and gave us a fantastic show which the bees loved, so I am looking forward to seeing how the children compare. Yes, naughty bishops, say no more!
My seedlings seem to be attracting whitefly, which has unfortunately got into the GH. I am doing my best to squash them (by hand) but they seem to be attracted to certain seedlings and not others.
I have been battling with whitefly for nearly two years now, I got some bug spray , didn't work, I think maybe the only thing is to get the nematodes or something. They particularly like the fuchsias, and last year the tomato plants, which I couldn't spray, obviously, so I squashed them every day!
Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor.
I haven't tried that Zenjeff, but I was going to try washing up liquid - but someone on here said that the leaves can turn brown - so have resorted to squishing them every day. I also find that if the seedlings/ plants are put outside (which isn't suitable for all plants) the whitefly tend to disappear.
You're right I think GD, I don't have them on anything outdoors, but can't put much out here though, cold wet and windy, so most things are greenhouse grown. Couldn't grow tomatoes outside, I bought something organic last year called SB Plant invigorator, supposed to kill all pests, aphid, WF, spider mite, mealy bug, scale insect, known to be a miracle cure for all ills, didn't do a thing, the whitefly loved it!
Ill try the neem oil Jeff, haven't used it before so will get some and see.
Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor.
If you are going to try neem oil too, then please let us know if the whitefly disappear Lyn. I have never heard of it, and wonder just how organic is it - i.e. if we should get ladybirds on the plants that have been treated with the oil.
g insects are affected. It is certainly fascinating.
Like real hormones, neem works at very low concentrations, in the parts per million range. A little neem oil goes a long way.
But this is not something that happens over night. People spray neem oil as an insecticide and expect everything to die instantly, because that's what they are used to from chemical poisons. When that does not happen they conclude neem does not work.
It does work! Give it time to work. It's a much smarter way to deal with insect pests than to just kill everything.
a small bottle lasts ages I also add a few drops of Castile organic liquid soap need treat fungas diseases too ,cleared a honeysuckles mildew
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That's the trouble with Bishops Nick, they do get themselves in a muddle sometimes?
I have ordered two Bishops as well for the first time - York and Oxford I think. I'm so glad that dahlias seem to be making a bit of a comeback. They always remind me of my dad who grew them every year in the garden. And lifted them every year and dusted them I think with sulphur before putting them in the shed.
I had Bishop of Llandaff tubers last year - the flowers just went on and on, were easy to maintain and gave us a fantastic show which the bees loved, so I am looking forward to seeing how the children compare. Yes, naughty bishops, say no more!
My seedlings seem to be attracting whitefly, which has unfortunately got into the GH. I am doing my best to squash them (by hand) but they seem to be attracted to certain seedlings and not others.
I have been battling with whitefly for nearly two years now, I got some bug spray , didn't work, I think maybe the only thing is to get the nematodes or something. They particularly like the fuchsias, and last year the tomato plants, which I couldn't spray, obviously, so I squashed them every day!
Have you tried organic neem oil Lyn for whitefly ?
I haven't tried that Zenjeff, but I was going to try washing up liquid - but someone on here said that the leaves can turn brown - so have resorted to squishing them every day. I also find that if the seedlings/ plants are put outside (which isn't suitable for all plants) the whitefly tend to disappear.
You're right I think GD, I don't have them on anything outdoors, but can't put much out here though, cold wet and windy, so most things are greenhouse grown. Couldn't grow tomatoes outside, I bought something organic last year called SB Plant invigorator, supposed to kill all pests, aphid, WF, spider mite, mealy bug, scale insect, known to be a miracle cure for all ills, didn't do a thing, the whitefly loved it!
Ill try the neem oil Jeff, haven't used it before so will get some and see.
If you are going to try neem oil too, then please let us know if the whitefly disappear Lyn. I have never heard of it, and wonder just how organic is it - i.e. if we should get ladybirds on the plants that have been treated with the oil.
Lyn GD2 a little info on need
g insects are affected. It is certainly fascinating.
Like real hormones, neem works at very low concentrations, in the parts per million range. A little neem oil goes a long way.
But this is not something that happens over night. People spray neem oil as an insecticide and expect everything to die instantly, because that's what they are used to from chemical poisons. When that does not happen they conclude neem does not work.
It does work! Give it time to work. It's a much smarter way to deal with insect pests than to just kill everything.
a small bottle lasts ages I also add a few drops of Castile organic liquid soap need treat fungas diseases too ,cleared a honeysuckles mildew
Thanks for info Jeff.?