On 11/01/2014 17:30, Nick Maclaren wrote:
We got no apples this year, because of catastrophic woolly aphid.
I have lesser but similar problems with a grey aphid on currants.
The problem is that the infestation causes immediate and severe
enclosure by the distorted leaves, so contact insectides will not
work. I also have chestnut scale on one vine.

Now, the traditional solution is a tar oil winter wash, but the UK
has banned that for domestic use. There are some organic replacements,
but they don't look at all effective, and I don't want to harm the
plants by using strong disinfectants (e.g. Armillatox or Jeyes'
Fluid) in the absence of advice.

So what would people recommend?

I can't recommend it
(http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/guidanc...wn-as-neem-oil)
as I've never used it, but I wonder if Neem Oil would have been effective.

Of course, there is nothing to stop you using it for non-pesticidal
purposes...

--

Jeff