Winter aphids have entered the chat! They occupied 2 of the 6 peduncles on this plant. I used the fire hose treatment and knocked them off with a cruel high pressure spray of the garden hose. I followed up with a rubbing alcohol spritz for the ones I might have missed. Update: Ladybugs, nature’s pesticide!😂 I found the ladybug feasting on the aphids I missed.
I hate that aphids are so cute 😅🙈
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I was JUST thinking this! Kind of a pretty orange color too
0 likes They are colorful. Not cute as they suck my plants dry! My plants have had the orange, white and black aphids.
1 like Darn you aphids 😭
1 likeI would be careful about your use of rubbing alcohol. A light spray is okay if it doesn't visibly damage the plant but if it runs down into the soil it can act as an herbicide. All seasons oil can be effective also and systemic pesticide for longer term protection. I do like the fire hose method though it's very effective! Just drown those suckers!
1 like I’ve used isopropyl alcohol diluted on all newly acquired plants. I don’t flush it through the soil. It dries quickly on the leaves. I found no issue with it for the plants I have. I agree that some plants may be sensitive to chemicals. Testing first is always a good idea. I never use systemic pesticides. Bonide is popular and is cancer causing. Read the warning label and their MSID sheet about lung cancer. You need the equivalent of a hazmat suit to be around it per the manufacturer. I would never bring that into my house. No plant I have is worth dying over
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True, also I read that it can leach into your underground water, so if you have well water and a prolonged period of using that stuff I can only imagine the effects
0 likes This a Hoya Multiflora (Shooting Star). It’s an easy and prolific bloomer. Not a fussy plant. I never had problems with it before the aphids got to it.
1 like Let me add the latest pics here.
Lady bug for the win!!
2 likesSounds like you have pretty good plant skills. I would have to agree with you about systemic pesticides. Although I recommended it I don't use it very often. I just wish they'd stop spraying Roundup on wheat crops. It's no wonder there's so much chronic health issues in our society. Okay, no more on that it gets too far off subject. In addition to ladybugs have you ever tried praying mantis? They are quite amazing. Not very good to have in the house though!
1 like The ladybugs 🐞 came on their own yesterday. I didn’t add them. I’ve seen the praying mantis being sold in a nursery. I have not brought them home. I live on the Texas gulf coast. There are plenty of lizards, geckos, spiders and frogs that live in and around my plants when they are outside. That’s my best method for removing insects without chemicals. The recent freezing weather has scattered them. Plus, the plants have been inside since December.
0 likesI live in Iowa so no geckos or lizards for me. Even though you have plenty of other insect predators you should try some mantis sometime it's really fun to watch them hatch and grow. I bought one inside hatch. It had hundreds of little tiny praying mantis hanging in a ball and over the next 3 months they spread through my garden and by the end of the season I found only one fully mature adult mantis.
1 likeThat should be I bought one and watched it hatch
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