Bug spray on sweet peas..whoops.
 

Hello,

Yesterday I saw that the poor mildew-infested perennial sweet peas I potted on and put in the conservatory were also covered in aphids. I took them outside and squirted them down with organic bug spray (the fatty acid sort). Then I had the bright idea of actually reading the bottle and it specifically says, 'not for use on sweet peas or begonias.' I can't tell yet if the sweet peas particularly care or not that I poisoned them. Does anyone know why the spray is not recommended? I find it odd since the bottle does say you can spray them on edible peas..

Bug spray on sweet peas..whoops.
 

"Mitulove" wrote in message
...

Hello,

Yesterday I saw that the poor mildew-infested perennial sweet peas I
potted on and put in the conservatory were also covered in aphids. I
took them outside and squirted them down with organic bug spray (the
fatty acid sort). Then I had the bright idea of actually reading the
bottle and it specifically says, 'not for use on sweet peas or
begonias.' I can't tell yet if the sweet peas particularly care or not
that I poisoned them. Does anyone know why the spray is not
recommended? I find it odd since the bottle does say you can spray them
on edible peas..

Next time RTFM.

Bug spray on sweet peas..whoops.
 

On 24/10/2012 20:07, Christina Websell wrote:
"Mitulove" wrote in message
...

Hello,

Yesterday I saw that the poor mildew-infested perennial sweet peas I
potted on and put in the conservatory were also covered in aphids. I
took them outside and squirted them down with organic bug spray (the
fatty acid sort). Then I had the bright idea of actually reading the
bottle and it specifically says, 'not for use on sweet peas or
begonias.' I can't tell yet if the sweet peas particularly care or not
that I poisoned them. Does anyone know why the spray is not
recommended? I find it odd since the bottle does say you can spray them
on edible peas..

Next time RTFM.

It may well be because it will mark the flowers.
But if in doubt then cut them back to the ground, they will be making
new growth next spring.

Bug spray on sweet peas..whoops.
 

David Hill wrote:
It may well be because it will mark the flowers.
But if in doubt then cut them back to the ground, they will be making
new growth next spring.

Really? I thought sweet peas would just die off if the growing tip
was nipped off lower than side shoots (hence why they don't survive
when mice nibble)

Bug spray on sweet peas..whoops.
 

On 24/10/2012 22:08, wrote:
David Hill wrote:
It may well be because it will mark the flowers.
But if in doubt then cut them back to the ground, they will be making
new growth next spring.

Really? I thought sweet peas would just die off if the growing tip
was nipped off lower than side shoots (hence why they don't survive
when mice nibble)


If you notice the OP says "mildew-infested perennial sweet peas"

Bug spray on sweet peas..whoops.
 

David Hill wrote:
Really? I thought sweet peas would just die off if the growing tip
was nipped off lower than side shoots (hence why they don't survive
when mice nibble)

If you notice the OP says "mildew-infested perennial sweet peas"

Ah, I missed the 'perennial' in the post, which isn't in the subject.
Yeah, fair enough. My parents have those and can't get rid. :-)

"Next time RTFM."

Hmm.. Yes, as helpful as comment as that is, I was more interested generally in why the spray might not be a good idea for some plants.

"It may well be because it will mark the flowers."

Ah. I'll have to test that out in the summer. So far, the foliage looks fine (apart from the aphid corpses..). I imagine when they're planted outside the mildew problem will sort itself out.

I do hope they're not awfully invasive, or I'll have to have words with Thompson and Morgan for the lack of warning. ;)