Nick Maclaren wrote:
In article
Stephen writes:
|
| I posted another question about beans with black flies on. The same
| bean plants have lost their flowers. It's quite strange really, the
| stalks are there but there are no flowers on the end.
|
| I read in "the veg. expert" book that sparrows can peck the
| (red) flowers off, thinking they are berries. Do you think this is
| what has happened? I haven't seen any birds do this. It's not related
| to the flies is it? How do I prevent this next year: netting to keep
| birds off?

Water them when it's dry. Seriously. They drop off when it is hot
and dry at the root.

And, as far as aphids are concerned, washing up liquid always works,
but some practice may be needed to get the quantities right. Add
a squirt of meths and SOAK all surfaces of the plant. A few aphids
can turn into an infestation in days.


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.
If you want to see infestation you are welcome to come and look at my
sweet cherry tree!