aphid control

Jane McGary janemcgary@earthlink.net
Wed, 12 Feb 2003 18:25:15 PST
Cathy Craig wrote,
>I just hope it's true that once you spray [aphids] off, they can't climb
back on
>the plant. 

It is absolutely not true. Aphids have both winged and non-winged forms in
the same species, and those with wings obviously get anywhere they want. I
am told they can travel 300 meters or more especially if wind-aided.

All this folk wisdom is very interesting, but I get rid of aphids on my
highly expensive seedlings with Dexol Systemic Granules, a product made for
house plants. You sprinkle it on the soil and water it in. I don't know how
toxic it is to people, but it smells pretty toxic! I stay out of the plant
room for a few hours after applying it. I also use it in the bulb frame if
I see aphids there, but they rarely appear; I expect there are enough
predators to cope with them outdoors. 

You have to watch sharply for aphids on seedlings of Iris, Calochortus,
Lilium, and Crocus, in particular.

Jane McGary
NW Oregon



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