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  • Absolute disaster

    Went out into the garden today, and everything is covered in what appears to be black fly or larva, flowers, Petunia's, Dahlia's, Nasturtium, everything, but only some of the veg leaves, luckily the tomato and pepper plants are alright, we've sprayed with a green and black fly killer.
    My only problem is, what do we treat the veg with, like the parsley and maybe the tomato and pepper plant to protect them, is it safe to use the same spray on the foodstuff, I was using dish water in a spray bottle, but it looks like I lost the fight, any and all advice will be gratefully received
    Last edited by Tattie-muncher; 01-08-2011, 03:14 PM.

  • #2
    TM what did you spray with apart from dish water.

    Colin
    Potty by name Potty by nature.

    By appointment of VeggieChicken Member of the Nutters club.


    We hang petty thieves and appoint great ones to public office.

    Aesop 620BC-560BC

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    • #3
      Good luck with your fight TM, I know Nasturtiums are notorious for blackfly. Their are some threads here that may help.

      http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...searchid=84294
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      • #4
        But nasturtiums are often grown as a sacrificial plant to stop the veg getting blackfly.

        Have you got many ladybirds in your garden?

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        • #5
          I've had to pull out most of my nasturtiums today because of black fly and there's some got to one or two courgette plants, so I sympathise TM.
          Granny on the Game in Sheffield

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          • #6
            Originally posted by Potstubsdustbins View Post
            TM what did you spray with apart from dish water.

            Colin

            We used "doff" greenfly and blackfly killer to try and kill them, we'll use the dish water later, but funnily enough, none of our flowers have ever been bothered before, and Florence, you saying you had it with nasturtium, its the first year (and the last) we've grown them, we've been so careful, we're absolutely gutted

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            • #7
              Nasturtium are martyrs for blackfly, there's nowt you can do about it, unless you fancy finger-squishing every day.

              I treat them as sacrificial plants: they attract the blackfly (which is properly called the Black Bean Aphid) off your veg. Rip them up and compost them, bugs as well
              All gardeners know better than other gardeners." -- Chinese Proverb.

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              • #8
                I noticed my runner beans are starting to get covered in blackfly, but I'm chilled about it. I know that by next week, or the week after at the latest, there will be none - the ladybird and hoverfly larvae will scoff the lot.
                You don't get predators until you get their prey, so you have to grin and bear it for a week or so till they really get going.

                It's too late for you alas TM, if you've already sprayed pesticide in the garden, 'cos that will have done for any predator larvae too.
                Location - Leicestershire - Chisit-land
                Endless wonder.

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                • #9
                  Being a very sheltered courtyard garden, we've never seeen a ladybird in the garden before, if I knew I had even the slightest chance of getting them, I would have held off, but right now, the wife is in the garden, and all the nasturtium are coming up, she's thoroughly checked the geraniums, they appear to be clear, the petunia flowers are covered, but for some reason, the petunia stems have very little, she'll report on progress as she goes.

                  Can you tell me though, what chance does our parsley and pea pods stand against this, being first time growers of veg, we'd appreciate all the help we can get, the peppers and tomato's look fine as does all the cucumbers I re-potted, but of course, the Cox's apple tree has a covering of friends as well, ah well, on with the spraying.

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                  • #10
                    Aphids will always go for soft, sappy succulent growth. So, avoid over-feeding your plants, let them grow a bit 'hard'.

                    The best way to deal with aphids is to squish them with your fingers, daily or so until they're under control. If you miss the boat, you'll be swiftly inundated with the little blaggers
                    All gardeners know better than other gardeners." -- Chinese Proverb.

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                    • #11
                      Loads of black fly on our plot - but also have loads of ladybirds working the problem. I'd be surprised if you don't get any Tattie-muncher, especially if you have flowers too. It's difficult because you really need to stop spraying to get the predators which obviously requires some faith. I would think your parsley would be fine - ours is and I don't think the peas were touched either. Now pea moth...that's a different story
                      A bit of black fly is not the end of the world, you'll never eradicate every pest, but if you hold off the sprays hopefully you can find a balance. First year growing strawbs on our patio, they were covered in aphids. Since I started growing a bit more flowers herbs and stuff we never have a problem anymore. I don't spray on the plot and the ladybirds rewards us by eating thrice their body weight in blackfly bless em.
                      Last edited by Shadylane; 01-08-2011, 11:12 PM.

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                      • #12
                        We don't normally use "sprays" we normally just use used washing up water, and we've never had a problem, it was just I'd not been to great for a couple of days, and hadn't managed to be do the usual spray, and we got infested, the Nasturtium are gone, the wife pulled the lot, she dead headed a lot of plants that were also infested, and we've sprayed , so we'll give it a couple of days.

                        In the couple of years we've been gardening, strangely, we've never once seen a ladybird in the garden

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                        • #13
                          I suppose if you've never had pests then there would be nowt for them to eat. They do like certain flowers apparently, though I forget which. I think they like stuff like dill, fennel and flowers like wild carrot, queen annes lace or yarrow(umbellifers?). I saw one on a nettle today but don't grow those bladdy things. They hates me they do.

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                          • #14
                            Originally posted by Tattie-muncher View Post
                            we've never once seen a ladybird in the garden
                            That's a real shame.
                            Don't be too tidy in the garden: provide them with a "safe roosting place during cold and frosty nights in early spring, and a safe place in which to hibernate in winter. Ladybird food sources include Vetches, Thistles, Hibiscus, Passiflora and Buddleia". source: Welcome To Wildlife Gardening Beneficial Preditors
                            All gardeners know better than other gardeners." -- Chinese Proverb.

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                            • #15
                              I am trying to cut down on the use of pesticides and following the advice given here squished blackfly first and waited for the ladybirds. I am truely amazed over the last few days the amount of ladybirds on my runners is at an all time high and according to SWMBO is growing daily.

                              TM re your question about Doff greenfly and blackfly killer. From what I can find out it is for ornimentals only. As a check all pesticides for use on food plants usually have a list on the container stating what it can be used on and how often. My advice would be no list no use.

                              Colin
                              Potty by name Potty by nature.

                              By appointment of VeggieChicken Member of the Nutters club.


                              We hang petty thieves and appoint great ones to public office.

                              Aesop 620BC-560BC

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