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is it safe to use neem oil on an Acer?

garrinchasuperskillzgarrinchasuperskillz Posts: 57
in Plants
hi guys - I have an acer in a pot, which in the last week has started to put out some good leaves and what you have

unfortunately, this new growth is accompanied by a poop ton of aphids! same thing happened last year. but last year I just blasted them with a water squirter, which was quite theraputic - but didn't make much of a dent tbh

so, I have some neem oil that I use for indoor plants. would it be ok to use this on the acer too?

thanks guys
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Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 50,309
    I've never used it so can't advise, but it's very odd to have loads of aphids on Acer foliage. Are you sure that's what they are?

    If you have any birds in your garden, encouraging them- blue tits in particular, is a great way of keeping them under control on any plant, especially when they have youngsters to feed.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • garrinchasuperskillzgarrinchasuperskillz Posts: 57
    hi Fairygirl - yep, they're defintely aphids! these guys are the bane of my life, I can tell ya! there were around 8 million on my Runner Bean plant last year. I spent many an hour blasting them off with the squirter, but they just kept coming back!

    I'm 100% not up for using anything that's going to harm any other good bugs and what have you, so hopefully the neem oil, or any other suggestion will help me win the war this year!
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 50,309
    It's odd that you have so many though. You must be growing a lot of very susceptible plants!
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,343
    edited March 2022
    Can we have a picture. I've got lots of Acer's in pots, never had any problems like this. We use neem on citrus, for scale insect.Assuming you aren't in the UK no leaves as yet. Hubby says use washing up liquid with water in sprayer.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 50,309
    Haven't even got an y foliage on Acers yet round here.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • B3B3 Posts: 24,482
    Never seen an aphid on an acer. That's strange. Plenty of tits and sparrows. Maybe that's why 
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • garrinchasuperskillzgarrinchasuperskillz Posts: 57
    here we go guys


  • garrinchasuperskillzgarrinchasuperskillz Posts: 57
    maybe they're not aphids! always learning...
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 50,309
    Not aphids.  :)
    I think @Nanny Beach is right. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • ButtercupdaysButtercupdays Posts: 4,357
    That's odd. Aphids usually huddle together in groups near the leaf tips. That looks more like scale insect behaviour. Are they squishable?
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