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Aphids on Venus Fly Trap
I'm having an aphid problem with my VFT. It was near my tomato plants during
the summer & the aphids seem to have infested it. I have rinsed it under a tap which got rid of the visible ones but they soon came back. Then I rinsed it under the tap AND changed the pot & soil but they're back again. The plant is on it's own so they're not coming off something else. I'm wary of using a soapy solution in case it has an adverse affect on the plant. TIA Dave |
Aphids on Venus Fly Trap
Sacha writes
On 19/2/09 14:40, in article , "Dave" wrote: I'm having an aphid problem with my VFT. It was near my tomato plants during the summer & the aphids seem to have infested it. I have rinsed it under a tap which got rid of the visible ones but they soon came back. Then I rinsed it under the tap AND changed the pot & soil but they're back again. The plant is on it's own so they're not coming off something else. I'm wary of using a soapy solution in case it has an adverse affect on the plant. I'm surprised it's not taking care of the problem for itself! Don't they eat aphids? Probably not large and fast moving enough to trigger the leaf closing mechanism, which relies on a fly bumping into some hair-like extensions on the leaf. -- Kay |
Aphids on Venus Fly Trap
"K" wrote in message
... Sacha writes On 19/2/09 14:40, in article k, "Dave" wrote: I'm having an aphid problem with my VFT. It was near my tomato plants during the summer & the aphids seem to have infested it. I have rinsed it under a tap which got rid of the visible ones but they soon came back. Then I rinsed it under the tap AND changed the pot & soil but they're back again. The plant is on it's own so they're not coming off something else. I'm wary of using a soapy solution in case it has an adverse affect on the plant. I'm surprised it's not taking care of the problem for itself! Don't they eat aphids? Probably not large and fast moving enough to trigger the leaf closing mechanism, which relies on a fly bumping into some hair-like extensions on the leaf. They're on the stalks... the plant is only just coming out of its winter dormancy so there are no open traps at the moment. |
Aphids on Venus Fly Trap
On 19/2/09 15:50, in article
, "Dave" wrote: "K" wrote in message ... Sacha writes On 19/2/09 14:40, in article , "Dave" wrote: I'm having an aphid problem with my VFT. snip I'm surprised it's not taking care of the problem for itself! Don't they eat aphids? Probably not large and fast moving enough to trigger the leaf closing mechanism, which relies on a fly bumping into some hair-like extensions on the leaf. They're on the stalks... the plant is only just coming out of its winter dormancy so there are no open traps at the moment. Ah, that explains it. I thought the remedy might be self-administered! -- Sacha http://www.hillhousenursery.com South Devon Perennials & shrubs online |
Aphids on Venus Fly Trap
"Dave" wrote in message I'm having an aphid problem with my VFT. It was near my tomato plants during the summer & the aphids seem to have infested it. I have rinsed it under a tap which got rid of the visible ones but they soon came back. Then I rinsed it under the tap AND changed the pot & soil but they're back again. The plant is on it's own so they're not coming off something else. I'm wary of using a soapy solution in case it has an adverse affect on the plant. TIA Hi Dave, I have a few flytraps (Dionae) and mine are surrounded by Butterworts and Sundews, that will scoff aphids with glee. But this doesn't help your problem, unfortunately for a trap to close, it needs two trigger hairs to be moved. Apart from being too small, the aphid is also too lightweight. The trigger hairs mustn't be to sensitive, or breezes will cause the plant to trigger and die of exhaustion. I strongly recommend joining CPUK, a great crowd of guys and gals from around the world. You don't need to join, you can lurk. I went to 'forums' Spring Traps, Dionaea and typed aphids into the search engine and got :- http://preview.tinyurl.com/ce88t5 If this doesn't work, I'll be quite happy to ask the question. Bertie |
Aphids on Venus Fly Trap
"Bertie Doe" wrote in message
... "Dave" wrote in message I'm having an aphid problem with my VFT. It was near my tomato plants during the summer & the aphids seem to have infested it. I have rinsed it under a tap which got rid of the visible ones but they soon came back. Then I rinsed it under the tap AND changed the pot & soil but they're back again. The plant is on it's own so they're not coming off something else. I'm wary of using a soapy solution in case it has an adverse affect on the plant. TIA Hi Dave, I have a few flytraps (Dionae) and mine are surrounded by Butterworts and Sundews, that will scoff aphids with glee. But this doesn't help your problem, unfortunately for a trap to close, it needs two trigger hairs to be moved. Apart from being too small, the aphid is also too lightweight. The trigger hairs mustn't be to sensitive, or breezes will cause the plant to trigger and die of exhaustion. I strongly recommend joining CPUK, a great crowd of guys and gals from around the world. You don't need to join, you can lurk. I went to 'forums' Spring Traps, Dionaea and typed aphids into the search engine and got :- http://preview.tinyurl.com/ce88t5 If this doesn't work, I'll be quite happy to ask the question. Bertie Cheers, I tried the submerging method yesterday but the water was quite cold & the vft floated. Have left the water inside overnight & will look for something to weigh it down. If that fails, I'll get some of that provado. I've just had a look at getting some Butterwort & Sundew plants but they're quite scarce at the moment. |
Aphids on Venus Fly Trap
On 20/2/09 11:17, in article
, "Dave" wrote: snip Cheers, I tried the submerging method yesterday but the water was quite cold & the vft floated. Have left the water inside overnight & will look for something to weigh it down. If that fails, I'll get some of that provado. I've just had a look at getting some Butterwort & Sundew plants but they're quite scarce at the moment. Dave, would it help to hang one of those sticky yellow insect strips near your plants until it's grown a bit more? -- Sacha http://www.hillhousenursery.com South Devon Perennials & shrubs online |
Aphids on Venus Fly Trap
"Dave" wrote in message "Bertie Doe" wrote in message Hi Dave, I have a few flytraps (Dionae) and mine are surrounded by Butterworts and Sundews, that will scoff aphids with glee. But this doesn't help your problem, unfortunately for a trap to close, it needs two trigger hairs to be moved. Apart from being too small, the aphid is also too lightweight. The trigger hairs mustn't be to sensitive, or breezes will cause the plant to trigger and die of exhaustion. I strongly recommend joining CPUK, a great crowd of guys and gals from around the world. You don't need to join, you can lurk. I went to 'forums' Spring Traps, Dionaea and typed aphids into the search engine and got :- http://preview.tinyurl.com/ce88t5 If this doesn't work, I'll be quite happy to ask the question. Bertie Cheers, I tried the submerging method yesterday but the water was quite cold & the vft floated. Have left the water inside overnight & will look for something to weigh it down. If that fails, I'll get some of that provado. I've just had a look at getting some Butterwort & Sundew plants but they're quite scarce at the moment. Yes the plunging method is quite popular and Provado is a last resort. I got 4 sundew seedlings from Dieter (CPUK) for 5 Euros inc postage. You can get seedlings and seeds from other members, by going to the 'Sales and Wants' section. They are easy to propagate, Pings (Butterwort), by removing leaves and Sundew from seeds. Go for the more unusual varieties - then when a member has a get together in your area, you can take along some of your surplus for 'swaps'. Mixed results from my first attempts at propagating Pings - http://preview.tinyurl.com/atfd8y I took an interest in CPs when someone on ukrg mentioned the CP stands at Chelsea, about 3 years ago. It's not a hobby, I just keep them in the porch and greenhouse, to keep the insect population down. Pings are good against aphids and greenfly and Sundews will tackle the blue bottles - here's some pics http://s222.photobucket.com/albums/d...t=d78422a0.pbw http://s222.photobucket.com/albums/d...t=d18131fd.pbw Online sources http://preview.tinyurl.com/blsjfe http://preview.tinyurl.com/creg34 http://preview.tinyurl.com/7nqma http://preview.tinyurl.com/2pb5q7 http://preview.tinyurl.com/bxl6jj Bertie |
Aphids on Venus Fly Trap
"Dave" wrote in message . uk... I'm having an aphid problem with my VFT. It was near my tomato plants during the summer & the aphids seem to have infested it. I have rinsed it under a tap which got rid of the visible ones but they soon came back. Then I rinsed it under the tap AND changed the pot & soil but they're back again. The plant is on it's own so they're not coming off something else. I'm wary of using a soapy solution in case it has an adverse affect on the plant. I'm not very experienced with VFTs - it's years since I had one - but in your position I would try to brush off the aphids with a paint brush (artist's sort) every day. The secret is to stop them breeding as I'm sure you are aware and boy, do they breed! Hopefully by removing them daily, or twice daily if you have time might break the cycle. It's just a suggestion. I don't know if it will work but as it costs nothing and is unlikely to harm the plant it must be worth a try. Tina |
Aphids on Venus Fly Trap
I've got the vft weighed down with some gravel so that's submerged now. I
signed up to the CPUK forum but didn't have much look finding what I was after so I've ordered some seeds. Pinguicula Grandiflora. Drosera Capensis, Binata, Intermedia & Spatulata. I'll try getting some plants when they are out of their Winter dormancy & more readily available. "Bertie Doe" wrote in message ... "Dave" wrote in message "Bertie Doe" wrote in message Hi Dave, I have a few flytraps (Dionae) and mine are surrounded by Butterworts and Sundews, that will scoff aphids with glee. But this doesn't help your problem, unfortunately for a trap to close, it needs two trigger hairs to be moved. Apart from being too small, the aphid is also too lightweight. The trigger hairs mustn't be to sensitive, or breezes will cause the plant to trigger and die of exhaustion. I strongly recommend joining CPUK, a great crowd of guys and gals from around the world. You don't need to join, you can lurk. I went to 'forums' Spring Traps, Dionaea and typed aphids into the search engine and got :- http://preview.tinyurl.com/ce88t5 If this doesn't work, I'll be quite happy to ask the question. Bertie Cheers, I tried the submerging method yesterday but the water was quite cold & the vft floated. Have left the water inside overnight & will look for something to weigh it down. If that fails, I'll get some of that provado. I've just had a look at getting some Butterwort & Sundew plants but they're quite scarce at the moment. Yes the plunging method is quite popular and Provado is a last resort. I got 4 sundew seedlings from Dieter (CPUK) for 5 Euros inc postage. You can get seedlings and seeds from other members, by going to the 'Sales and Wants' section. They are easy to propagate, Pings (Butterwort), by removing leaves and Sundew from seeds. Go for the more unusual varieties - then when a member has a get together in your area, you can take along some of your surplus for 'swaps'. Mixed results from my first attempts at propagating Pings - http://preview.tinyurl.com/atfd8y I took an interest in CPs when someone on ukrg mentioned the CP stands at Chelsea, about 3 years ago. It's not a hobby, I just keep them in the porch and greenhouse, to keep the insect population down. Pings are good against aphids and greenfly and Sundews will tackle the blue bottles - here's some pics http://s222.photobucket.com/albums/d...t=d78422a0.pbw http://s222.photobucket.com/albums/d...t=d18131fd.pbw Online sources http://preview.tinyurl.com/blsjfe http://preview.tinyurl.com/creg34 http://preview.tinyurl.com/7nqma http://preview.tinyurl.com/2pb5q7 http://preview.tinyurl.com/bxl6jj Bertie |
Aphids on Venus Fly Trap
"Dave" wrote in message I've got the vft weighed down with some gravel so that's submerged now. I signed up to the CPUK forum but didn't have much look finding what I was after so I've ordered some seeds. Pinguicula Grandiflora. Drosera Capensis, Binata, Intermedia & Spatulata. I'll try getting some plants when they are out of their Winter dormancy & more readily available. Great stuff, I have lots of seedlings (about 2cm tall) of d.capensis, also some d.spatulata, but no space left on the windowsills, for more pots, as they don't overwinter in an unheated greenhouse. When you have some compost media made up, contact me via CPUK and I'll post you some seedlings. I use equal parts (by volume) of Perlite, lime-free aquarium grit and Irish peat. Bertie |
Aphids on Venus Fly Trap
Will do... Cheers
"Bertie Doe" wrote in message ... "Dave" wrote in message I've got the vft weighed down with some gravel so that's submerged now. I signed up to the CPUK forum but didn't have much look finding what I was after so I've ordered some seeds. Pinguicula Grandiflora. Drosera Capensis, Binata, Intermedia & Spatulata. I'll try getting some plants when they are out of their Winter dormancy & more readily available. Great stuff, I have lots of seedlings (about 2cm tall) of d.capensis, also some d.spatulata, but no space left on the windowsills, for more pots, as they don't overwinter in an unheated greenhouse. When you have some compost media made up, contact me via CPUK and I'll post you some seedlings. I use equal parts (by volume) of Perlite, lime-free aquarium grit and Irish peat. Bertie |
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