HELPPPP MY PRECIOUS STRAWBERRIES😢😢😢 I woke up to find one of my strawberry plants being limp… I thought surely it doesn’t need watering again already as the other 3 were fine… on closer inspection, I’ve found that it is riddled with bugs?!?! What are these? Aphids or mites??How do I get rid of them? I have neem oil, would that work? It’s like they’ve spawned in over night? Some are red and some are white? Any advice welcome:((
Just spritz it all over with neem oil. That’s what I’ve done with mine and it’s been fine
1 like I’m gunna do this now, is it safe to use neem oil on strawberries tho that’s my only concern? Will it not affect the taste etc? (Not that I’ve actually tried one of the strawbs yet…)
0 likes Do you have some fruit growing on that plant? If so just make sure you wash your fruit before you ingest it. Farmers use harsher insecticides on their crops.
1 like Yeah there’s a few strawberries growing on it already, not very big yet but they’re growing, no problem thank you!
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The insect in the picture is an aphid, which is a common pest on strawberry plants and other garden plants. Aphids feed by sucking the sap from the plant, which can weaken the plant and reduce fruit yield. Here are some ways to help your friend manage the aphids on her strawberry plant: 1. **Manual Removal**: Gently spray the plant with a strong stream of water to knock the aphids off the plant. You can also remove them by hand if the infestation is small. 2. **Natural Predators**: Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings, which feed on aphids. You can buy ladybugs online or attract them to the garden by planting flowers like marigolds or dill. 3. **Neem Oil**: Applying neem oil can help control aphids. Mix neem oil with water and a small amount of dish soap, then spray the solution on the affected areas. 4. **Insecticidal Soap**: Use a commercial insecticidal soap or make your own by mixing mild dish soap with water. Spray it on the affected parts of the plant, ensuring good coverage. 5. **Prune Affected Areas**: If certain parts of the plant are heavily infested, it might be best to trim those areas to prevent the aphids from spreading. Taking action now will help prevent further damage to the strawberry plant.
1 like I’ve just done 3 out of 5 of those things; sprayed them off and removed some by hand, used neem oil spray, whilst also removing any really bad areas. I sprayed down all 4 of my strawberry plants even though they was only on the one, just to prevent any spreading, but I’ve isolated the one that was full of them alone in the bathroom, I’ll check it every day to see if they come back or not, hopefully not so I can move it back with the others.
0 likes It sounds like your friend has done a great job tackling the pest issue on her strawberry plants by following multiple steps already. Here are a few additional tips she can consider to ensure the problem stays under control and the plants remain healthy: ### 1. **Consistent Monitoring**: - Keep a close eye on all of the plants daily. Even after the pests are gone, it's important to continue monitoring for any signs of re-infestation or new pests. Pay particular attention to the undersides of leaves where pests often hide. ### 2. **Beneficial Insects**: - Consider introducing **beneficial insects** such as **ladybugs** or **lacewings** to the garden. These natural predators feed on aphids and other pests and can help keep the population under control organically. ### 3. **Soil Health**: - Check the soil as some pests may also lay eggs in the soil. If needed, consider using a neem oil soil drench or another natural treatment to address any larvae or eggs that might be present. ### 4. **Companion Planting**: - Consider planting **companion plants** that deter pests near the strawberries. Plants such as marigolds, nasturtiums, or garlic are known to repel aphids and other insects. ### 5. **Repeat Neem Oil Application**: - Neem oil is a great option, but sometimes it requires multiple applications to fully eradicate pests. Reapply every 7-10 days, especially if the infestation was severe. ### 6. **Increase Air Circulation**: - If the plants are tightly grouped together, try to space them out a bit more to improve air circulation. This can help reduce moisture buildup, which can attract pests and diseases. ### 7. **Clean Surrounding Areas**: - After treating the plants, make sure to clean any nearby surfaces or planters where pests could be hiding to prevent them from coming back. By continuing to stay vigilant and proactive, your friend should see positive results and avoid future pest problems.
0 likes Planting garlic alongside strawberries as a companion plant is relatively easy and can be effective in deterring certain pests like aphids, spider mites, and other harmful insects. Garlic’s strong smell helps repel these pests naturally, making it a great organic solution. Here’s how to do it: ### How to Plant Garlic with Strawberries: 1. **Choose the Right Time**: - Garlic is typically planted in the fall and harvested the following summer, but you can also plant it in the spring if needed. Strawberries and garlic grow well together, so if you're already growing strawberries, you can add garlic bulbs around them without much disruption. 2. **Prepare the Soil**: - Garlic prefers **well-drained soil**. If the soil around your strawberry plants is healthy and drains well, you can plant garlic right in the same bed or container. 3. **Planting Depth and Spacing**: - Plant individual garlic cloves (pointed end up) about **2 inches deep** and **4-6 inches away** from the strawberry plants. This spacing gives the strawberries room to spread while allowing the garlic to grow. 4. **Watering**: - Water the garlic after planting, and then maintain regular watering as you would for your strawberries. Garlic doesn’t like waterlogged soil, so be sure not to overwater. 5. **Mulching**: - Adding a layer of mulch around the garlic and strawberries helps retain moisture and suppress weeds. Mulching also helps garlic bulbs overwinter if planted in the fall. 6. **Companion Benefits**: - Garlic is a low-maintenance crop, and aside from its pest-repelling benefits, it doesn’t compete heavily with strawberries for nutrients. It also has the added benefit of improving the flavor of strawberries, according to some gardeners. ### Harvesting: - **Garlic** is typically harvested when the tops turn yellow and begin to fall over. For fall-planted garlic, this usually happens in the summer. You can continue caring for both garlic and strawberries without much extra effort until it's time to harvest. ### Ease of Integration: - Garlic doesn’t require much extra care beyond what you’re already doing for your strawberries. Once you’ve planted it, it largely takes care of itself. Plus, you get the bonus of a garlic crop in addition to protecting your strawberries. In conclusion, planting garlic with your strawberries is a simple and effective companion planting strategy that benefits your garden by reducing pest issues naturally.
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