Apple leaf curl aphid problem

buddyb

Hi! I have an espalier Bramley apple tree and it’s leaves are curling with what I think is an aphid attack It’s really quite bad! I have had a closer look this morning and have found ladybird lava on the leaves I like to be as organic as possible but don’t want to loose my fruit What is the best form of action for this Please help! 

blameitonthedog

Hoping you get an answer I have the same problem on a 3 year old apple, with the leaves on all growth tips curled with what I believe to be aphids ... and there are ants running up and down the tree.  I would rather not use a chemical spray, but if I have to....

Mary370

A picture?

purplerallim

I have this too on a three year old tree. Am about to try a spray bottle of washing up liquid and water. Has worked in the past but this appears to be a bad year for aphids. Will let you know results in a few days.

purplerallim

This is the promised update, a little later than planned.😁 So to get to the subject, sprayed both apple trees twice with a few days gap between applications.  One has recovered better than the other. Pics follow before and after.

buddyb

Thankyou so much Purplerallim! That gives me heart!  The new leaves look fresh and healthy now
I will go out and give it a go What dilution did you use please?
Thanks in advance 

purplerallim

About half the amount you would put in a washing up bowl in a spray bottle around a pint big, so not very much.I kept it to just the new growth with the rest just getting the overspray. Did twice in one week and then left a week to see how it went. Still have some aphids and ants but the tree seems to be coping better, but the other tree is still looking curled so 50/50 success .

buddyb

Thankyou
Spray bottle at the ready! 🙂