Edible Herbs, Flowers & Other Edibles - Grow Your Own Dinner!

All about growing and using edible herbs, flowers and other edibles, the usual and the unusual--From the wheelbarrow to the plate -- and "greening" and becoming a locavore for the benefit and health of you, your family and neighborhood/community. Back in the 1990s I began Herbs 2 U (a form of here's to you) as a way of getting the message out about growing and using herbs to flavor foods. For many years herbs2u.net has been a way to find help.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Spray for Aphids Followup

Dear Folks,

Janet wrote: Aphid comment: I tried the safe soap solution which didn't work. But a combination mixed with NEEM oil did the trick immediately! I highly recommend spraying plants with aphids with a NEEM Oil soluion.

Janet is correct that neem oil can certainly be a component of the safe soap spray, but IF the original spray did not work, it may be due to not reapplying it to break the egg/hatch/birth cycle. Since egg producing aphids function on a 7-day life cycle it is important to reapply the spray every 5 days for a total of 3 times. It is always best to spray (make sure to get underside of leaves and down the center of growth as well as the top of the leaves) in the twilight to avoid sunburn to the plants.

Live-birth varieties of aphids can be even more of a problem, and the 3 times process really needs to be followed for control.

If there is any residue of spray when you harvest - simply rinse off the leaves or fruits.

Happy gardening!

-- Catherine, The Herb Lady