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#1
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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 |
#2
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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 |
#3
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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 |
#4
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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 |
#5
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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 Remove "invalid" to reply |
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