|
Sun, May 15, 05 at 9:56
| Good morning all...I was just out weeding when I noticed 3 ladybugs on my rose-of-sharon. I thought "how sweet" they are good bugs to have around.....Little did I realize why they were there!!!! My ROS is small- only about 2-3 feet high but is very full. One branch was totally covered (they were dark brown aphids? not green)so I trimmed it off but there are sections of a few other branches with the little nasties. So far I only saw 3 ladybugs- will that be enough to control the spread of the aphids? If not, what can I use that won't harm the ladybugs? Thanks all- have a great summer in the garden!!!!! |
Follow-Up Postings:
|
- Posted by jenny_in_SE_PA USDA7 Sunset 32 (My Page) on Sun, May 15, 05 at 18:00
| You can get the hose out and just wash them off with a strong stream. Alternately, you can use some Safer's insecticidal soap spray on them, which is pretty harmless... or you can make your own soap solution with some water, but mix in a gentle soap like Ivory (don't use anti-bacterial stuff). Then spray to coat the leaves and stems. Also look for ants because they farm the aphids and physically bring them up onto the plants. |
|
| You could have left the branch and watched a miracle. Lady Beatles can eat up to 300 or so nasties a day depending on species. What they wouldn’t eat, the nympths from the eggs they would lay would finish off the others. If you choose to use chemicals, the only sure thing is that you will kill the lady Beatles and the eggs laid along with the pests. Nature is providing you with an inexspensive and healthy solution to your problem. Every year I have a ROS next to my porch that looks overrun with aphids. Once the first Lady Beatle shows up, within a week the problem is gone. randy |
Please Note: Only registered members are able to post messages to this forum. If you are a member, please log in. If you aren't yet a member, join now!
Return to the Hibiscus Forum
Instructions
- You must be a registered member and logged in to post messages on our forums.
- Posting is a two-step process. Once you have composed your message, you will be taken to the preview page. You will then have a chance to review the contents and make changes.
- After posting your message, you may need to refresh the forum page in order to see it.
- It is illegal to post copyrighted material without the owner's consent.
- HTML codes are allowed in the message field only.
- No advertising is allowed in any of the forums.
- If you would like to practice posting or uploading photos, please visit our Test forum.
- If you need assistance, please Contact Us and we will be happy to help.