"Douglas" wrote in message
...

"Martin" wrote in message
...
Douglas wrote:
"Jane Ransom" wrote in message
...
In article nDgvc.9$yu2.3@newsfe3-gui, Sally
writes
Despite my using companion planting, my greenhouse tomatoes are
becoming infested with whitefly. Any recommendations of biological
control would be gratefully received.

Using copious numbers of tagettes kept whitefly at bay in our
greenhouse.

--
Jane Ransom in Lancaster.
I won't respond to private emails that are on topic for urg
but if you need to email me for any other reason, put ransoms
at jandg dot demon dot co dot uk where you see

***********
Wot's an "urg", please?
Doug.
**********

uk.rec.gardening (newsgoup).

********
Many thanks!, - There are many big gaps in my knowledge of this 'ere
gizmo!
I am obliged to you.
BTW, I remember that tagetes (sp?), *was* known as a repellent, in
greenhouses.
Doug.
********
From Doug,
I used to be in charge of that big building at the top of Greaves hill on
the A6, the one with the towers and discs on the top - on the left going
south,on the corner of Palatine Avenue (road?) with the church on the
opposite corner and the School on the other corner on the same side. We
lived in a house in Gressingham Drive overlooking the beck. Turn left at
the Boot and Shoe - off the A6. We left after about two years and came back
to \Barrow.
The back garden soil wall at the back used to be solid black with hundreds
of massive black slugs and I tried all I knew but with no success.
Doug.
********





..

On 2/6/04 8:56, in article nDgvc.9$yu2.3@newsfe3-gui, "Sally"
wrote:

Despite my using companion planting, my greenhouse tomatoes are becoming
infested with whitefly. Any recommendations of biological control would be
gratefully received.
Thanks so much.


I finally remembered to ask my husband about this. He used to grow toms
commercially and was one of the first to use biological controls under such
conditions - just to give you his credentials!
He says that for this year, it may already be too late but the natural
predator is Encarsia. However, given that you have a bad infestation he
thinks it will probably not work this year and that you should use a soap
solution in a spray and see if that works. Next year, get hold of the
predator very early in your planting season. The Gardener usually has
adverts by various biological control companies. This takes time to work
but work it does. It may sound obvious but not everyone thinks of it - so,
it's very important not to use any insecticidal sprays just before or while
using Encarsia. If you can get them this year, you might want to give them
a try but no promises! Ours come from Kopperts which is a commercial firm
but I don't know if they supply to amateur gardeners or have a branch which
does.
I have found this site which has good info and is a supplier, too:
http://www.defenders.co.uk/problems.htm

--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
(remove the weeds after garden to email me)

On 2/6/04 8:56, in article nDgvc.9$yu2.3@newsfe3-gui, "Sally"
wrote:

Despite my using companion planting, my greenhouse tomatoes are becoming
infested with whitefly. Any recommendations of biological control would be
gratefully received.
Thanks so much.


I finally remembered to ask my husband about this. He used to grow toms
commercially and was one of the first to use biological controls under such
conditions - just to give you his credentials!
He says that for this year, it may already be too late but the natural
predator is Encarsia. However, given that you have a bad infestation he
thinks it will probably not work this year and that you should use a soap
solution in a spray and see if that works. Next year, get hold of the
predator very early in your planting season. The Gardener usually has
adverts by various biological control companies. This takes time to work
but work it does. It may sound obvious but not everyone thinks of it - so,
it's very important not to use any insecticidal sprays just before or while
using Encarsia. If you can get them this year, you might want to give them
a try but no promises! Ours come from Kopperts which is a commercial firm
but I don't know if they supply to amateur gardeners or have a branch which
does.
I have found this site which has good info and is a supplier, too:
http://www.defenders.co.uk/problems.htm

--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
(remove the weeds after garden to email me)

On 2/6/04 8:56, in article nDgvc.9$yu2.3@newsfe3-gui, "Sally"
wrote:

Despite my using companion planting, my greenhouse tomatoes are becoming
infested with whitefly. Any recommendations of biological control would be
gratefully received.
Thanks so much.


I finally remembered to ask my husband about this. He used to grow toms
commercially and was one of the first to use biological controls under such
conditions - just to give you his credentials!
He says that for this year, it may already be too late but the natural
predator is Encarsia. However, given that you have a bad infestation he
thinks it will probably not work this year and that you should use a soap
solution in a spray and see if that works. Next year, get hold of the
predator very early in your planting season. The Gardener usually has
adverts by various biological control companies. This takes time to work
but work it does. It may sound obvious but not everyone thinks of it - so,
it's very important not to use any insecticidal sprays just before or while
using Encarsia. If you can get them this year, you might want to give them
a try but no promises! Ours come from Kopperts which is a commercial firm
but I don't know if they supply to amateur gardeners or have a branch which
does.
I have found this site which has good info and is a supplier, too:
http://www.defenders.co.uk/problems.htm

--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
(remove the weeds after garden to email me)