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  • Aphids on alliums

    No matter which allium I plant (chives, welsh onions, babbington's leek, ornamentals, etc.) they get covered in black aphids - I always thought they were supposed to deter the pesky critters!

    I grow mine in pots mostly 50:50 sand and compost - thought that might be the problem, but visited Chelsea Physic Gardens 3 weeks ago and some of theirs were covered when planted in the ground.

    Is it ant farming? Have I been cursed by the aphid god?

    PS The chives tend to weaken and die off.

    Any hints / tips gratefully received!

  • #2
    You have been cursed!

    This is a particularly bad year for aphids I think. I've never seen so much black fly .

    Can you just try dislodging them with some water from a hose?

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    • #3
      To make you feel better:

      Click image for larger version

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      I washed them off and they look much better today.

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      • #4
        Same here Goldcrest. Chives have almost bit the dust and spring onions in cells have been consigned to the compost.
        Location ... Nottingham

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        • #5
          Were you a ladybird in a previous life

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          • #6
            Afraid to tempt fate but I havnt seen any of these yet this year.

            And when your back stops aching,
            And your hands begin to harden.
            You will find yourself a partner,
            In the glory of the garden.

            Rudyard Kipling.sigpic

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            • #7
              It seems a good year for invertebrates in general. I'm noticing a lot more zebra back spiders, ladybirds and leaf beetles than usual - and, yes, aphids on my alliums and blackfly on my rhubarb. But not one sawfly larva on my gooseberries!
              Last edited by Trouvere; 19-06-2019, 07:06 PM.

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              • #8
                A large aphid population makes ladybirds want to mate otherwise they’d fly off. We’re making some creatures really happy with our aphid selection. When I see aphids there’s also ladybird nymphs on the fruit tree & plants so I haven’t done any squashing,some leaves are curled but it’s alright,ladybirds are sorting it out.
                Location : Essex

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                • #9
                  Originally posted by Trouvere View Post
                  But not one sawfly larva on my gooseberries!
                  Im not bothered about sawfly this year - blackbirds ate every single one!
                  Pigeons have had every currant - they normally leave the black ones but not this year

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                  • #10
                    Originally posted by Jungle Jane View Post
                    A large aphid population makes ladybirds want to mate otherwise they’d fly off. We’re making some creatures really happy with our aphid selection. .
                    Actually I've never seen so many yellow ladybirds. Huge amounts this year.

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                    • #11
                      I saw some two-spot ladybirds mating earlier this year. They have been pretty rare down here, all I normally see are harlequins.

                      The aphids in my garden are losing the battle to the ant lions now. Good to see.
                      My gardening blog: In Spades, last update 30th April 2018.
                      Chrysanthemum notes page here.

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                      • #12
                        I've tried water-blasting with the larger plants but my chives are really weedy - although I am having strong words with them - is this known as chive talkin' ?

                        Or ah, ha, ha, bein' a chive, keep stayin' alive, ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin' ali-iii-iii-iive?

                        Anyway, here's the plan:
                        1. Buy / plant some more
                        2. Move them off the sunny patio (read somewhere they don't like heat)
                        3. Frustrate the ants

                        Will report if this works - thanks for the answers!
                        Last edited by Goldcrest; 20-06-2019, 05:46 PM.

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                        • #13
                          Aphid / chive update: It's the ants!

                          4 pots: 1 patio next to ant stop, 1 patio no ant stop, repeated in borders
                          Both ant stops fine, border better growth than patio (cooler)?, no ant stop patio - died, no ant stop border - couple of aphids but washable ...

                          Go on ant go, walk out the door, just turn around now, you're not welcome any more .... the chives survive ...

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                          • #14
                            "Don't stop me now, as I'm having such a good chive................"

                            Glad you've found out who the culprits are and how to stop their ant-ics.

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                            • #15
                              You're the ant I don't want, oo oo, oo oo ooo honey ......

                              Or if I lived further east and was in a hurry it would be:

                              Murder of the Ori-ant Express boom,boom :-)

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