Is this true? If so, it gives me an idea
 

On http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/cgi-bin/p...opaeolum+majus I
read

"Research indicates that aphids flying over plants with orange or yellow
flowers do not stop, nor do they prey on plants growing next to or above
the flowers[201]. "

[201] Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd.
1993 ISBN 0-304-34324-2

So could one protect crops from aphids by putting out plastic flowers?
(which might be more convenient)

Steve Harris - Cheltenham - Real address steve AT netservs DOT com

Is this true? If so, it gives me an idea
 

"Steve Harris" wrote in message
...
On http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/cgi-bin/p...opaeolum+majus I
read

"Research indicates that aphids flying over plants with orange or yellow
flowers do not stop, nor do they prey on plants growing next to or above
the flowers[201]. "

[201] Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd.
1993 ISBN 0-304-34324-2

So could one protect crops from aphids by putting out plastic flowers?
(which might be more convenient)

Perhaps ribbons of coloured paper might do the job.
Something for the organic growers to try out?

Franz

Is this true? If so, it gives me an idea
 

On Thu, 8 Jan 2004 08:28:07 +0000 (UTC), "Franz Heymann"
wrote:


"Steve Harris" wrote in message
...
On http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/cgi-bin/p...opaeolum+majus I
read

"Research indicates that aphids flying over plants with orange or yellow
flowers do not stop, nor do they prey on plants growing next to or above
the flowers[201]. "

[201] Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd.
1993 ISBN 0-304-34324-2

So could one protect crops from aphids by putting out plastic flowers?
(which might be more convenient)

Perhaps ribbons of coloured paper might do the job.
Something for the organic growers to try out?

:o))
--
Martin

Is this true? If so, it gives me an idea
 

Try marigolds they also attract hoverflies. I am told Hoverfly grubs eat
aphids.
Stephen

http://uk.geocities.com/giftideasuk/

http://uk.geocities.com/gardeningforpleasureuk/


"martin" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 8 Jan 2004 08:28:07 +0000 (UTC), "Franz Heymann"
wrote:


"Steve Harris" wrote in message
...
On http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/cgi-bin/p...opaeolum+majus I
read

"Research indicates that aphids flying over plants with orange or
yellow
flowers do not stop, nor do they prey on plants growing next to or
above
the flowers[201]. "

[201] Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd.
1993 ISBN 0-304-34324-2

So could one protect crops from aphids by putting out plastic flowers?
(which might be more convenient)

Perhaps ribbons of coloured paper might do the job.
Something for the organic growers to try out?

:o))
--
Martin

Is this true? If so, it gives me an idea
 

Try marigolds they also attract hoverflies. I am told Hoverfly grubs eat
aphids.
Stephen

http://uk.geocities.com/giftideasuk/

http://uk.geocities.com/gardeningforpleasureuk/


"martin" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 8 Jan 2004 08:28:07 +0000 (UTC), "Franz Heymann"
wrote:


"Steve Harris" wrote in message
...
On http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/cgi-bin/p...opaeolum+majus I
read

"Research indicates that aphids flying over plants with orange or
yellow
flowers do not stop, nor do they prey on plants growing next to or
above
the flowers[201]. "

[201] Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd.
1993 ISBN 0-304-34324-2

So could one protect crops from aphids by putting out plastic flowers?
(which might be more convenient)

Perhaps ribbons of coloured paper might do the job.
Something for the organic growers to try out?

:o))
--
Martin

Is this true? If so, it gives me an idea
 

The message
from (Steve Harris) contains these words:

On http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/cgi-bin/p...opaeolum+majus I
read

"Research indicates that aphids flying over plants with orange or yellow
flowers do not stop, nor do they prey on plants growing next to or above
the flowers[201]. "

[201] Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd.
1993 ISBN 0-304-34324-2

So could one protect crops from aphids by putting out plastic flowers?
(which might be more convenient)


I've seen aphids on yellow and orange roses and yellow honeysuckle, and
stuck on those bright yellow sticky insect trap-cards. That suggests to
me that the colour is not an aphid deterrent.


Janet

Is this true? If so, it gives me an idea
 

Steve Harris7/1/04 8:00

On http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/cgi-bin/p...opaeolum+majus I
read

"Research indicates that aphids flying over plants with orange or yellow
flowers do not stop, nor do they prey on plants growing next to or above
the flowers[201]. "

[201] Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd.
1993 ISBN 0-304-34324-2

So could one protect crops from aphids by putting out plastic flowers?
(which might be more convenient)

Steve Harris - Cheltenham - Real address steve AT netservs DOT com

One of Ray's Christmas presents was "Garlic Loves Roses" - interesting
addition to your search. ;-)
--

Sacha
(remove the 'x' to email me)

Is this true? If so, it gives me an idea
 

Janet Baraclough .. wrote:
The message
from (Steve Harris) contains these words:


On http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/cgi-bin/p...opaeolum+majus I
read


"Research indicates that aphids flying over plants with orange or yellow
flowers do not stop, nor do they prey on plants growing next to or above
the flowers[201]. "


[201] Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd.
1993 ISBN 0-304-34324-2


So could one protect crops from aphids by putting out plastic flowers?
(which might be more convenient)


I've seen aphids on yellow and orange roses and yellow honeysuckle, and
stuck on those bright yellow sticky insect trap-cards. That suggests to
me that the colour is not an aphid deterrent.


I agree. Those with a memory for detail and trivia may recall my "Aphid
apocalypse" post from last summer - my yellow and orange nasturtiums
were very definitely NOT avoided by aphids. I guess it could be
something to do with the plants being practically black with the little
blighters...

Certainly didn't work for me!

Is this true? If so, it gives me an idea
 

I have always used a variety of different marigolds around my veggies to get rid of aphids. I always thought that this companion planting worked because hover flies were attracted by the smell of marigolds rather than the colour. The hover flies then eat the aphids. They also look pretty in amongst the leaves of courgettes and tomatoes, etc. I usually start the marigolds off about two or three weeks before the veggie seedlings in a greenhouse, for planting out at the same time.

I also use borage (which is blue or white) between tomatoes and strawberries, which really attracts hover flies (for eating the insects) and especially bees (for pollination). This suggests to me that it is not the colour of the plant. They are also quite pretty flowers on a reasonably tall plant, and look quite impressive in a strawberry bed.

For loads more information on companion plants just search on the web. For flower beds, marigolds are very useful, and if you don't like them, you can hide them at the back of a border or behind a taller plant.

Is this true? If so, it gives me an idea
 

In article ,
(Stephen Goodall) wrote:

Try marigolds they also attract hoverflies. I am told Hoverfly grubs
eat aphids.

Yeah, I've been told that too. It's all over the Internet so it must be
true. Only it isn't.

I had loads of hoverflies before I even bought a packet of marigold
seed. Once the marigolds were up, the hoverflies ignored them. Maybe
they did eat a few aphids but not all.

Then it's also well known that ladybirds eat aphids. I had loads of both
but the ladybirds couldn't be arsed to wander over to the aphid-ridden
plants.

So I sprayed. Job done.

Evidence-Based Gardening anyone?


Steve Harris - Cheltenham - Real address steve AT netservs DOT com

Is this true? If so, it gives me an idea
 

In article ,
(Janet Baraclough ..) wrote:

I've seen aphids on yellow and orange roses

Obviously the roses were not organic ;-)

Steve Harris - Cheltenham - Real address steve AT netservs DOT com

Is this true? If so, it gives me an idea
 

On Wed, 7 Jan 2004 20:51 +0000 (GMT), Steve Harris wrote:

On http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/cgi-bin/p...opaeolum+majus I
read

"Research indicates that aphids flying over plants with orange or yellow
flowers do not stop, nor do they prey on plants growing next to or above
the flowers[201]. "

[201] Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd.
1993 ISBN 0-304-34324-2

So could one protect crops from aphids by putting out plastic flowers?
(which might be more convenient)
Steve Harris - Cheltenham - Real address steve AT netservs DOT com

My yellow motorbike attracts aphids like nothing else I know. The red one
is mostly ignored.

--
Tim.

If the human brain were simple enough that we could understand it, we would
be so simple that we couldn't.

Is this true? If so, it gives me an idea
 

Steve Harris wrote:

I had loads of hoverflies before I even bought a packet of marigold
seed. Once the marigolds were up, the hoverflies ignored them. Maybe
they did eat a few aphids but not all.

That's right. If they ate them all, then they would have nothing
left to eat.

Then it's also well known that ladybirds eat aphids. I had loads of both
but the ladybirds couldn't be arsed to wander over to the aphid-ridden
plants.

Ditto. The aim of attracting predators of pests is not to wipe out the
pests but to reduce them to manageable levels.

So I sprayed. Job done.

Joni Mitchell sang "give me spots on my apples, leave me the birds
and the bees".

Evidence-Based Gardening anyone?

Your mileage obviously varied but sounds like you were trying to hit a
different target.
--
Nick Wagg

Is this true? If so, it gives me an idea
 

"Steve Harris" wrote in message
...
In article ,
(Stephen Goodall) wrote:

Try marigolds they also attract hoverflies. I am told Hoverfly grubs
eat aphids.

Yeah, I've been told that too. It's all over the Internet so it must be
true. Only it isn't.

I had loads of hoverflies before I even bought a packet of marigold
seed. Once the marigolds were up, the hoverflies ignored them. Maybe
they did eat a few aphids but not all.

Then it's also well known that ladybirds eat aphids. I had loads of both
but the ladybirds couldn't be arsed to wander over to the aphid-ridden
plants.

So I sprayed. Job done.

Evidence-Based Gardening anyone?

Yes: Pest control by the use of predators is a load of codswallop.

Franz

Is this true? If so, it gives me an idea
 

"Steve Harris" wrote in message
...
In article ,
(Stephen Goodall) wrote:

Try marigolds they also attract hoverflies. I am told Hoverfly grubs
eat aphids.

Yeah, I've been told that too. It's all over the Internet so it must be
true. Only it isn't.

I had loads of hoverflies before I even bought a packet of marigold
seed. Once the marigolds were up, the hoverflies ignored them. Maybe
they did eat a few aphids but not all.

Then it's also well known that ladybirds eat aphids. I had loads of both
but the ladybirds couldn't be arsed to wander over to the aphid-ridden
plants.

So I sprayed. Job done.

Evidence-Based Gardening anyone?

Yes: Pest control by the use of predators is a load of codswallop.

Franz

Is this true? If so, it gives me an idea
 

On Thu, 8 Jan 2004 19:52:33 +0000 (UTC), "Franz Heymann"
wrote:


"Steve Harris" wrote in message
...
In article ,
(Stephen Goodall) wrote:

Try marigolds they also attract hoverflies. I am told Hoverfly grubs
eat aphids.

Yeah, I've been told that too. It's all over the Internet so it must be
true. Only it isn't.

I had loads of hoverflies before I even bought a packet of marigold
seed. Once the marigolds were up, the hoverflies ignored them. Maybe
they did eat a few aphids but not all.

Then it's also well known that ladybirds eat aphids. I had loads of both
but the ladybirds couldn't be arsed to wander over to the aphid-ridden
plants.

So I sprayed. Job done.

Evidence-Based Gardening anyone?

Yes: Pest control by the use of predators is a load of codswallop.

not quite...

Our cats have totally eliminated mice and voles from our garden and
house. It has taken 11 years. We trained them to do the same with
aphids and slugs but without success.
We conclude that the cats are too old.
--
Martin

Is this true? If so, it gives me an idea
 

"Steve Harris" wrote in message
...
In article ,
(Stephen Goodall) wrote:

Try marigolds they also attract hoverflies. I am told Hoverfly grubs
eat aphids.

Yeah, I've been told that too. It's all over the Internet so it must be
true. Only it isn't.

I had loads of hoverflies before I even bought a packet of marigold
seed. Once the marigolds were up, the hoverflies ignored them. Maybe
they did eat a few aphids but not all.

Then it's also well known that ladybirds eat aphids. I had loads of both
but the ladybirds couldn't be arsed to wander over to the aphid-ridden
plants.

So I sprayed. Job done.

Evidence-Based Gardening anyone?

Yes: Pest control by the use of predators is a load of codswallop.

Franz

Is this true? If so, it gives me an idea
 

On Thu, 8 Jan 2004 19:52:33 +0000 (UTC), "Franz Heymann"
wrote:


"Steve Harris" wrote in message
...
In article ,
(Stephen Goodall) wrote:

Try marigolds they also attract hoverflies. I am told Hoverfly grubs
eat aphids.

Yeah, I've been told that too. It's all over the Internet so it must be
true. Only it isn't.

I had loads of hoverflies before I even bought a packet of marigold
seed. Once the marigolds were up, the hoverflies ignored them. Maybe
they did eat a few aphids but not all.

Then it's also well known that ladybirds eat aphids. I had loads of both
but the ladybirds couldn't be arsed to wander over to the aphid-ridden
plants.

So I sprayed. Job done.

Evidence-Based Gardening anyone?

Yes: Pest control by the use of predators is a load of codswallop.

not quite...

Our cats have totally eliminated mice and voles from our garden and
house. It has taken 11 years. We trained them to do the same with
aphids and slugs but without success.
We conclude that the cats are too old.
--
Martin

Is this true? If so, it gives me an idea
 

On Thu, 8 Jan 2004 19:52:33 +0000 (UTC), "Franz Heymann"
wrote:


"Steve Harris" wrote in message
...
In article ,
(Stephen Goodall) wrote:

Try marigolds they also attract hoverflies. I am told Hoverfly grubs
eat aphids.

Yeah, I've been told that too. It's all over the Internet so it must be
true. Only it isn't.

I had loads of hoverflies before I even bought a packet of marigold
seed. Once the marigolds were up, the hoverflies ignored them. Maybe
they did eat a few aphids but not all.

Then it's also well known that ladybirds eat aphids. I had loads of both
but the ladybirds couldn't be arsed to wander over to the aphid-ridden
plants.

So I sprayed. Job done.

Evidence-Based Gardening anyone?

Yes: Pest control by the use of predators is a load of codswallop.

not quite...

Our cats have totally eliminated mice and voles from our garden and
house. It has taken 11 years. We trained them to do the same with
aphids and slugs but without success.
We conclude that the cats are too old.
--
Martin

Is this true? If so, it gives me an idea
 

On Thu, 8 Jan 2004 19:52:33 +0000 (UTC), "Franz Heymann"
wrote:


"Steve Harris" wrote in message
...
In article ,
(Stephen Goodall) wrote:

Try marigolds they also attract hoverflies. I am told Hoverfly grubs
eat aphids.

Yeah, I've been told that too. It's all over the Internet so it must be
true. Only it isn't.

I had loads of hoverflies before I even bought a packet of marigold
seed. Once the marigolds were up, the hoverflies ignored them. Maybe
they did eat a few aphids but not all.

Then it's also well known that ladybirds eat aphids. I had loads of both
but the ladybirds couldn't be arsed to wander over to the aphid-ridden
plants.

So I sprayed. Job done.

Evidence-Based Gardening anyone?

Yes: Pest control by the use of predators is a load of codswallop.

not quite...

Our cats have totally eliminated mice and voles from our garden and
house. It has taken 11 years. We trained them to do the same with
aphids and slugs but without success.
We conclude that the cats are too old.
--
Martin

Is this true? If so, it gives me an idea
 

Steve Harris wrote:
On http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/cgi-bin/p...opaeolum+majus I
read

"Research indicates that aphids flying over plants with orange or yellow
flowers do not stop, nor do they prey on plants growing next to or above
the flowers[201]. "

[201] Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd.
1993 ISBN 0-304-34324-2

So could one protect crops from aphids by putting out plastic flowers?
(which might be more convenient)

Steve Harris - Cheltenham - Real address steve AT netservs DOT com

I'm betting that's not strictly true!
Could give it a go though.

Jason

--
Check out my ebay auctions for Passifora caerulea and edulis seeds and
Morning Glory (Star of Yelta) seeds.
http://cgi6.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI....sort=3&rows=50

Is this true? If so, it gives me an idea
 

Steve Harris wrote:
On http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/cgi-bin/p...opaeolum+majus I
read

"Research indicates that aphids flying over plants with orange or yellow
flowers do not stop, nor do they prey on plants growing next to or above
the flowers[201]. "

[201] Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd.
1993 ISBN 0-304-34324-2

So could one protect crops from aphids by putting out plastic flowers?
(which might be more convenient)

Steve Harris - Cheltenham - Real address steve AT netservs DOT com

I'm betting that's not strictly true!
Could give it a go though.

Jason

--
Check out my ebay auctions for Passifora caerulea and edulis seeds and
Morning Glory (Star of Yelta) seeds.
http://cgi6.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI....sort=3&rows=50

Is this true? If so, it gives me an idea
 

Steve Harris wrote:
On http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/cgi-bin/p...opaeolum+majus I
read

"Research indicates that aphids flying over plants with orange or yellow
flowers do not stop, nor do they prey on plants growing next to or above
the flowers[201]. "

[201] Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd.
1993 ISBN 0-304-34324-2

So could one protect crops from aphids by putting out plastic flowers?
(which might be more convenient)

Steve Harris - Cheltenham - Real address steve AT netservs DOT com

I'm betting that's not strictly true!
Could give it a go though.

Jason

--
Check out my ebay auctions for Passifora caerulea and edulis seeds and
Morning Glory (Star of Yelta) seeds.
http://cgi6.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI....sort=3&rows=50

Is this true? If so, it gives me an idea
 

I've just bought a tube of little beasties from this company:-

http://www.defenders.co.uk

To get rid of some spider mites I have on some indoor plants. I don't know
if it will work, but they say they have predators for aphids too - parasitic
wasps and the like which they will send you in various quantities.

I'll let you know if it works on spider mites . . .

Andrew

"JP" wrote in message
...
Steve Harris wrote:
On http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/cgi-bin/p...opaeolum+majus I
read

"Research indicates that aphids flying over plants with orange or yellow
flowers do not stop, nor do they prey on plants growing next to or above
the flowers[201]. "

[201] Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd.
1993 ISBN 0-304-34324-2

So could one protect crops from aphids by putting out plastic flowers?
(which might be more convenient)

Steve Harris - Cheltenham - Real address steve AT netservs DOT com

I'm betting that's not strictly true!
Could give it a go though.

Jason

--
Check out my ebay auctions for Passifora caerulea and edulis seeds and
Morning Glory (Star of Yelta) seeds.

http://cgi6.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI....userid=murder1
man&include=0&since=-1&sort=3&rows=50

Is this true? If so, it gives me an idea
 

The message
from (Steve Harris) contains these words:

In article ,
(Janet Baraclough ..) wrote:

I've seen aphids on yellow and orange roses

Obviously the roses were not organic ;-)

Obviously, you know less than an aphid ;~}

Janet

Is this true? If so, it gives me an idea
 

"martin" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 8 Jan 2004 19:52:33 +0000 (UTC), "Franz Heymann"
wrote:


"Steve Harris" wrote in message
...
In article ,
(Stephen Goodall) wrote:

Try marigolds they also attract hoverflies. I am told Hoverfly grubs
eat aphids.

Yeah, I've been told that too. It's all over the Internet so it must be
true. Only it isn't.

I had loads of hoverflies before I even bought a packet of marigold
seed. Once the marigolds were up, the hoverflies ignored them. Maybe
they did eat a few aphids but not all.

Then it's also well known that ladybirds eat aphids. I had loads of
both
but the ladybirds couldn't be arsed to wander over to the aphid-ridden
plants.

So I sprayed. Job done.

Evidence-Based Gardening anyone?

Yes: Pest control by the use of predators is a load of codswallop.

not quite...

Our cats have totally eliminated mice and voles from our garden and
house. It has taken 11 years. We trained them to do the same with
aphids and slugs but without success.
We conclude that the cats are too old.

{:-))

Franz

Is this true? If so, it gives me an idea
 

The message
from (Steve Harris) contains these words:

In article ,
(Janet Baraclough ..) wrote:

I've seen aphids on yellow and orange roses

Obviously the roses were not organic ;-)

Obviously, you know less than an aphid ;~}

Janet

Is this true? If so, it gives me an idea
 

"martin" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 8 Jan 2004 19:52:33 +0000 (UTC), "Franz Heymann"
wrote:


"Steve Harris" wrote in message
...
In article ,
(Stephen Goodall) wrote:

Try marigolds they also attract hoverflies. I am told Hoverfly grubs
eat aphids.

Yeah, I've been told that too. It's all over the Internet so it must be
true. Only it isn't.

I had loads of hoverflies before I even bought a packet of marigold
seed. Once the marigolds were up, the hoverflies ignored them. Maybe
they did eat a few aphids but not all.

Then it's also well known that ladybirds eat aphids. I had loads of
both
but the ladybirds couldn't be arsed to wander over to the aphid-ridden
plants.

So I sprayed. Job done.

Evidence-Based Gardening anyone?

Yes: Pest control by the use of predators is a load of codswallop.

not quite...

Our cats have totally eliminated mice and voles from our garden and
house. It has taken 11 years. We trained them to do the same with
aphids and slugs but without success.
We conclude that the cats are too old.

{:-))

Franz

Is this true? If so, it gives me an idea
 

In article , Steve
Harris writes

Then it's also well known that ladybirds eat aphids. I had loads of both
but the ladybirds couldn't be arsed to wander over to the aphid-ridden
plants.

It's the ladybird larvae that eat the aphid. And, yes, I've seen them.

--
Kay Easton

Edward's earthworm page:
http://www.scarboro.demon.co.uk/edward/index.htm

Is this true? If so, it gives me an idea
 

In article , Steve
Harris writes

Then it's also well known that ladybirds eat aphids. I had loads of both
but the ladybirds couldn't be arsed to wander over to the aphid-ridden
plants.

It's the ladybird larvae that eat the aphid. And, yes, I've seen them.

--
Kay Easton

Edward's earthworm page:
http://www.scarboro.demon.co.uk/edward/index.htm

Is this true? If so, it gives me an idea
 

In article m,
(Martin Bates) wrote:

For loads more information on companion plants just search on the web.

It illustrates the problem very nicely!

Take a look at
http://www.gardensablaze.com/Compani...anionYield.htm which has
Beet in both the "COMPATIBLE" and "INCOMPATIBLE" columns for Beans,
Pole!

Less extremely, I went looking for good companions for Tomatoes and
found these snippets:

Tomato plant with Parsley, asparagus, marigold, nasturtium, carrots,
limas Don't plant with corn, dill
Tomato: Carrots, onions and parsley are good companion plants. Keep the
cabbage and cauliflower away from them.
Marigolds interplanted with tomatoes help the tomatoes grow and produce
better
Basil -use with tomatoes
Borage -use around tomatoes
Tomato: Chives, onion, parsley, asparagus, marigold, nasturtium, carrot,
limas.
Tomatoes should be planted near Marigolds, Asparagus, Borage and
Horehound, but never planted close to Potatoes or Tobacco.

Steve Harris - Cheltenham - Real address steve AT netservs DOT com

Is this true? If so, it gives me an idea
 

In article ,
(Nick Wagg) wrote:

Ditto. The aim of attracting predators of pests is not to wipe out
the pests but to reduce them to manageable levels.

Sure but the ladybirds never went near the aphids. Is there any real
science on this?

Steve Harris - Cheltenham - Real address steve AT netservs DOT com

Is this true? If so, it gives me an idea
 

On Fri, 9 Jan 2004 17:33 +0000 (GMT), (Steve Harris)
wrote:

In article ,
(Nick Wagg) wrote:

Ditto. The aim of attracting predators of pests is not to wipe out
the pests but to reduce them to manageable levels.

Sure but the ladybirds never went near the aphids. Is there any real
science on this?

Science? LOL!
--
Martin

Is this true? If so, it gives me an idea
 

In article ,
(martin) wrote:

Science? LOL!

well I did suspect that Companion Planting was more of a religion :-)

Steve Harris - Cheltenham - Real address steve AT netservs DOT com

Is this true? If so, it gives me an idea
 

In article , Andy Hunt
writes
I've just bought a tube of little beasties from this company:-

http://www.defenders.co.uk

To get rid of some spider mites I have on some indoor plants. I don't know
if it will work, but they say they have predators for aphids too - parasitic
wasps and the like which they will send you in various quantities.

I'll let you know if it works on spider mites . . .

Andrew


They didn't on mine - there was no visible decline in the number of
spider mites and |I treated the plants twice!
The only thing that did work (the plants were actually rooted cuttings
of shrubs and perennials|) was to defoliate the worst affected plants
and cut them back, then feed them if they had sufficient root balls.
This seemed to get rid of the spider mite or at least cut it down,
because the new growth was clearly unspider mited and seemed to stay
that way.
Since then I've taken everything out of the greenhouse and hosed it,
Jeyes fluided it, smoked it and scrubbed it and I'm hoping that will
kill the little beggars.
I also had spider mite with a vengeance on some very strong growing
Ipomea plants up a southern facing wall. There were tons of lowers on
all the plants but the leaves looked awful.

Janet
--
Janet Tweedy
Dalmatian Telegraph
http://www.lancedal.demon.co.uk

Is this true? If so, it gives me an idea
 

In article , Andy Hunt
writes
I've just bought a tube of little beasties from this company:-

http://www.defenders.co.uk

To get rid of some spider mites I have on some indoor plants. I don't know
if it will work, but they say they have predators for aphids too - parasitic
wasps and the like which they will send you in various quantities.

I'll let you know if it works on spider mites . . .

Andrew


They didn't on mine - there was no visible decline in the number of
spider mites and |I treated the plants twice!
The only thing that did work (the plants were actually rooted cuttings
of shrubs and perennials|) was to defoliate the worst affected plants
and cut them back, then feed them if they had sufficient root balls.
This seemed to get rid of the spider mite or at least cut it down,
because the new growth was clearly unspider mited and seemed to stay
that way.
Since then I've taken everything out of the greenhouse and hosed it,
Jeyes fluided it, smoked it and scrubbed it and I'm hoping that will
kill the little beggars.
I also had spider mite with a vengeance on some very strong growing
Ipomea plants up a southern facing wall. There were tons of lowers on
all the plants but the leaves looked awful.

Janet
--
Janet Tweedy
Dalmatian Telegraph
http://www.lancedal.demon.co.uk

Is this true? If so, it gives me an idea
 

In article , Janet Tweedy
writes
In article , Andy Hunt
writes
I've just bought a tube of little beasties from this company:-

http://www.defenders.co.uk

To get rid of some spider mites I have on some indoor plants. I don't know
if it will work, but they say they have predators for aphids too - parasitic
wasps and the like which they will send you in various quantities.

I'll let you know if it works on spider mites . . .

Andrew


They didn't on mine - there was no visible decline in the number of
spider mites and |I treated the plants twice!

It worked on mine. They take a while to work, and you keep looking at
plants and seeing a lot of spider mites and no predators. But after a
couple of months, new leaves are appearing which are looking a whole lot
more healthy. I'm pleased with it.


--
Kay Easton

Edward's earthworm page:
http://www.scarboro.demon.co.uk/edward/index.htm