Broad beans, ants and greenfly etc.
 

I have broad bean plants which have many flowers and are about 4 feet
tall. This afternoon, I noticed some 1/4 inch slits in the lower leaves
and on closer inspection, spotted several ants hurrying up and down the
stems of several of the plants. I killed them but know that is not the
end of the matter. I haven't seen any greenfly yet but suspect that
may be what the ants are up to, unless someone here knows different. I
can deal very well with greenfly on flowering plants like my jasmine by
brushing a finger and thumb along the tainted stem but don't know what
to do about my beans and the reason for the slits is a mystery to me.
Can anyone help me please? Many thanks in advance.
--
June Hughes

Broad beans, ants and greenfly etc.
 

"June Hughes" wrote in message
...
I have broad bean plants which have many flowers and are about 4 feet
tall. This afternoon, I noticed some 1/4 inch slits in the lower leaves
and on closer inspection, spotted several ants hurrying up and down the
stems of several of the plants. I killed them but know that is not the end
of the matter. I haven't seen any greenfly yet but suspect that may be
what the ants are up to, unless someone here knows different. I can deal
very well with greenfly on flowering plants like my jasmine by brushing a
finger and thumb along the tainted stem but don't know what to do about my
beans and the reason for the slits is a mystery to me. Can anyone help me
please? Many thanks in advance.
--
June Hughes

No idea what caused the slits you speak of but I would not kill the ants
under any circumstances. They do no harm whatsoever and can be seen
'milking' the aphids were you to have any.

Robert
www.rraa.moonfruit.com
Feed the soil, save the planet

Broad beans, ants and greenfly etc.
 

In message , "Robert
(Plymouth)" writes


"June Hughes" wrote in message
...
I have broad bean plants which have many flowers and are about 4 feet
tall. This afternoon, I noticed some 1/4 inch slits in the lower
leaves and on closer inspection, spotted several ants hurrying up and
down the stems of several of the plants. I killed them but know that
is not the end of the matter. I haven't seen any greenfly yet but
suspect that may be what the ants are up to, unless someone here knows
different. I can deal very well with greenfly on flowering plants
like my jasmine by brushing a finger and thumb along the tainted stem
but don't know what to do about my beans and the reason for the slits
is a mystery to me. Can anyone help me please? Many thanks in advance.
-- June Hughes

No idea what caused the slits you speak of but I would not kill the
ants under any circumstances. They do no harm whatsoever and can be
seen 'milking' the aphids were you to have any.

Supposedly ants dispose of aphid predators, allowing aphid infestations
to be more severe. Most people would see that as harm.

Robert
www.rraa.moonfruit.com
Feed the soil, save the planet

--
Stewart Robert Hinsley

Broad beans, ants and greenfly etc.
 

In message , Stewart Robert Hinsley
writes
In message , "Robert
(Plymouth)" writes


"June Hughes" wrote in message
...
I have broad bean plants which have many flowers and are about 4
feet tall. This afternoon, I noticed some 1/4 inch slits in the lower
leaves and on closer inspection, spotted several ants hurrying up
and down the stems of several of the plants. I killed them but know
that is not the end of the matter. I haven't seen any greenfly yet
but suspect that may be what the ants are up to, unless someone here
knows different. I can deal very well with greenfly on flowering
plants like my jasmine by brushing a finger and thumb along the
tainted stem but don't know what to do about my beans and the reason
for the slits is a mystery to me. Can anyone help me please? Many thanks in advance.
-- June Hughes

No idea what caused the slits you speak of but I would not kill the
ants under any circumstances. They do no harm whatsoever and can be
seen 'milking' the aphids were you to have any.

Supposedly ants dispose of aphid predators, allowing aphid infestations
to be more severe. Most people would see that as harm.

Robert
www.rraa.moonfruit.com
Feed the soil, save the planet

Thanks to those who replied. It was blackfly - there was a small crowd
of them in a flower cluster at the top of one of the plants. Squished
now. I shall keep an eye open for further attacks.
--
June Hughes

Broad beans, ants and greenfly etc.
 

In message , June Hughes
writes

Thanks to those who replied. It was blackfly - there was a small crowd
of them in a flower cluster at the top of one of the plants. Squished
now. I shall keep an eye open for further attacks.

They always go for broad beans, I've had to deal with them every time I
grew them. I think I used a dilute washing up liquid spray.
--
Gordon H
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