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Philadelphus aphid attack

sthlndngrowersthlndngrower Posts: 154
in Problem solving
Hi,
I have a generally very healthy philadelphus, however a few branches are smothered in black fly... Any idea why it is just a few branches and anything i can do to lessen this?
Many thanks

Posts

  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,177
    It's possibly the new soft growth attracting them. If you don't want to use chemicals,  a mix of diluted washing up liquid spray (off the top of my head l think it's a teaspoon in 3 litres of water, but someone else might confirm that). You can also give 'em a French with the hosepipe. 
  • debs64debs64 Posts: 5,048
    Just spray them off and wait for the ladybirds 🐞 to arrive. Clean water or rub off with your fingers 
  • sthlndngrowersthlndngrower Posts: 154
    Thankyou!
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,018
    Your photo reminds me exactly why I stopped growing philadelphus😕
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • sthlndngrowersthlndngrower Posts: 154
    I've never noticed it before on this plant... It made me wonder if there was something else...but so far it's just a couple of bracnhes, the rest is fine. I'll give it a good hose down.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 54,358
    If you can attract birds in - they will help. Lots of small birds especially, are feeding their young, and will enjoy the easy pickings. 
    Black and greenfly love the soft emerging growth on plants at this time of year. A good hose usually does the job  :)

    Never had them on any philadelphus I've had. I grow the more compact Manteau d'Hermine @B3. Just about to flower. Lovely shrub.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,177
    AnniD said:
    You can also give 'em a French with the hosepipe. 
    Lol, predictive text strikes again!  Obviously l meant drench. Give 'em a French sounds a bit dodgy....
  • sthlndngrowersthlndngrower Posts: 154
    AnniD said:
    AnniD said:
    You can also give 'em a French with the hosepipe. 
    Lol, predictive text strikes again!  Obviously l meant drench. Give 'em a French sounds a bit dodgy....
    and there was me thinking "there's a gardening term I've not come across before!" :-)

  • OmoriOmori Posts: 1,673
    I get aphids like that on Virginal but not Aureus. It’s not a variety I would grow again, but Aureus is lovely. I used to hose them off but they would just return full force so I‘ve stopped bothering. It doesn’t seem to affect the shrub overall but it is an eyesore. We have loads of birds but for some reason they aren’t interested.
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