Roses and Aphids (bugs, Rose Bushes, insects, worms)
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Apologies straight up if this subject has been discussed here.....
I am determined this year to use non-chemical insecticides in my rose gardens as much as possible. For the present moment, I am focusing on aphids which love to suck the new shoots in early spring. I heard that a dilute solution of vinegar and water will kill aphids. Is this true? And if it is true, what is the ratio water to vinegar?
I am also asking if anyone has success with this method of killing aphids.
IF vinegar and water is not a good insecticide for aphids, what else would you suggest? I am trying to go as green as possible here.
Well, I always sprayed them off with a heavy stream. I also used a couple tsp of dawn dish soap to a spary bottle of water
Yep, me too. I blast them to kingdom come with a water hose. And yes, they do come back. I just keep blowing them away with the hose, hoping the roses stay one step ahead of the aphids.
Yep, me too. I blast them to kingdom come with a water hose. And yes, they do come back. I just keep blowing them away with the hose, hoping the roses stay one step ahead of the aphids.
You win some you lose some.
And then you have to have to worry about black spot with all the water being sprayed on the roses. I avoid the water now, for that very reason.
Good luck seeing a rose stay ahead of the aphids. Although, I must admit, the healthier rose bushes that I have aren't hit as hard as those that are struggling. Yep, even in the plant kingdom, the weak get suckered.
If you're going to limit yourself to sprays, I don't think there is a non chemical solution to keeping aphids off roses. The chemical solution is to use a systemic insecticide or a contact insecticide with a long residual. A spray of soapy water does work, but it only kills the aphids that are actually sprayed. If new bugs move in, or if you missed some, you will have to spray again.
Lifelong, have you tried this? Do the ladybugs actually stay in the area where you release them? I have one huge rose bed and several smaller ones, so if I were to put these ladybugs right in the gardens, they wouldn't fly away? No, I haven't read your threads yet, but I am right now. THANK YOU!
OK. I just looked at the links. Another way besides the ladybugs is to sprinkle Diatamateous Earth on the soil. Hmmm......since I have DE I am going to give this a try. It's extremely windy here today and it is NOT a good idea to sprinkle the DE on the ground. I love these forums, because one idea leads to another....I really thank you Lifelong!!
Last edited by Garden of Eden; 04-28-2011 at 08:11 AM..
I was going to suggest DE before I read your last post. Only problem is it will get washed off in the rain. But you can just put it back on and it is safe! When I use to work with plants as a job we use to use a fine spray of rubbing alcohol. It dries fast and doesn't hurt the plant if used sparingly but again that is a quick fix and doesn't do much for future aphids. I love the ideas of ladybugs but everytime I bought some they flew away. Maybe I did something wrong? Systemic insecticide works well but again this is a poison and if you are like me I do not like using poisons. I do when I get desperate and have exhausted all other suggestions. Try the DE and stay diligent. It won't hurt the enviroment or any other critters except the insects--not even the earth worms! Good luck. Let us know how this works because I just may do it too!
Last edited by cynwldkat; 04-28-2011 at 09:16 AM..
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