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Compost question

IlikeplantsIlikeplants Posts: 894
in Tools and techniques
Do you make sure not to put aphid and blackfly attacked cuttings into your compost bin? I just saw on another thread where blackfly on courgette plant someone said cut but don’t put in compost bin. I have something similar attack my cherry tree and often foxgloves get it too. I’ve composted those before. Is it better not to and put in brown bin instead?
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  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 10,313
    I'd quite happily put aphid covered greenery into my compost bin they won't survive.
    But if the plant was diseased and had aphids it'd go in the brown bin
    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 8,875
    No problem with aphids. They'll clear off or not they won't be alive in the finished compost.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 52,165
    I'd do as @Pete.8 says. 
    I don't have many aphid problems though. Birds usually get them before I ever see any  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • IlikeplantsIlikeplants Posts: 894
    I don’t know if the plant is diseased or not, I’m assuming aphids even though a lot of ladybird larvae appeared too. 
    Am I the only person composting in builders ton bags? I happen to have these from previous works so started filling them up with clippings. The advantage is easier to shake them up, move them and less chance of rodents living in there but probably cold composting. 
  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 16,706
    I often use a builders bag if I have a lot of stuff. Mix it all up like a cake and let it go. It usually gets really hot, and then drops in volume by half, then I shovel it into a dalek along with some rock dust and let the worms get to work.

  • IlikeplantsIlikeplants Posts: 894
    That sounds good @fidgetbones I don’t think mine gets hot but it does reduce in volume. I always forget to keep it moist though. I don’t have a dalek but at least I’m getting some compost from this.
  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 16,706
    Keep it moist and use old compost bags on top so that any evaporation  condenses on the bag and runs back in. Stuffing a bag with polysytrene or straw helps to keep heat in.
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 8,875
    If you're getting usable compost then you're doing something right, even if it's not exactly textbook.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • IlikeplantsIlikeplants Posts: 894
    I’m a lazy composter but I’m trying to get better at it. Only had a wasp nest in it once this summer which I sorted by soaking it multiple times and only stung once when I first discovered it.
  • FireFire Posts: 17,116
    Aphids aren't a problem for compost bins
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