The dreaded green fly

dublintimmy · Posted: Mon May 18, 2009 9:46 pm Post subject: The dreaded green fly

Hi
I have had problems with green fly for the past two years. I have over 70 roses and have to go around each and every one and 'finger and thumb' the green fly into oblivion each day. It takes me about 45 minutes every day. I've used the sprays and they don't work. I've even resorted to my grandfather's method of washing the plants with water and Fairy Liquid and I noticed no difference. Is there a miracle cure or do I need to continue to search and destroy these green pests?
Tim, Dublin

Belfast · Posted: Mon May 18, 2009 10:10 pm Post subject:

"Garlic: A spray made from as little as a 6-8% concentration kills greenfly, it also keeps beetles and snails off other plants. It keeps greenfly off roses if it is planted near the bushes."
http://www.gardening.ie/index.php/in-the-garden/level-4/vegetables/148-companion-planting

How to Make Garlic Garden Spray
http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Garlic-Garden-Spray

"It will take more than one application to kill off the greenfly - aphids - on rose bushes."
http://www.gardenseeker.com/roses/greenfly_on_roses.htm

"Garlic - deters aphids and is particularly good planted with roses"

http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniques/organic_companionplanting2.shtml

dublintimmy · Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 5:29 pm Post subject:

Thanks so much for that, I've made the garlic spray and used it. I'll go and have a look at the plants tomorrow to see what has happened to the greenfly,
Tim

Liparis · Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 7:34 pm Post subject:

Buy yourself a 1/4 oz (12.5 gms) of hand rolling tobaco. I put a decent pinch into a bottle of water and allow it to soak for a few days. Using a tea strainer strain the water into a 1 pt spray bottle, add your soap as a wetting agent. and spray. Carefully observe over twenty four hours and check to see if they're dying, if not increase the amount of tobaco to soak.
Years ago we used our cigarette butts soaked similarly, the nicotine is a bit more condensed in the butt, and added soft soap to it. The soft soap was good for dealing with aphids but I don't think you can get it any more, fairy liquid is better as a wetting agent not for kiling them, but it leaves their hands very soft Laughing

Bill.

dublintimmy · Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 8:24 pm Post subject:

Thank you Bill.

Her Outdoors · Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 8:57 pm Post subject:

This topic couldn't have come at a better time. I discovered aphids on some of my tomato plants in the greenhouse today. I was going to ask for some advice on the forum tonight and there you all were, with the answers before I even asked. How good is this site?? Thanks Bill & Belfast.

Liparis · Posted: Fri May 22, 2009 8:54 am Post subject:

Sorry, Dublintimmy, no smoking allowed in the tomato house or using tobaco related products on your tomatoes, I should have said before. Tomatoes can be susceptable to Tobacco mosaic virus from the tobacco, OK, before any one jumps on me, the operative word is CAN risk is possibly reduced using cigarette butts due to the intense heat of burning.
Possibly safer using a perythrum based insecticide.
Bill.

Sarah Evans · Posted: Fri May 22, 2009 4:22 pm Post subject:

Or go organic and add ladybirds, or look to attract hoverflies.

Use companion plants to attract hoverflies. Those reputed to do so include alyssum, Iberis umbellata, statice, buckwheat, chamomile, parsley, and yarrow.

Spent a couple of hours squishing and washing them off the roses yesterday, refuse to use a renowned rose product as it is harmful to bees.

Garlicbreath · Posted: Fri May 22, 2009 6:33 pm Post subject:

I have a question about garlic spray. Should you make it fresh every time or does it keep? I ask because it doesn't half start smelling funny after a week or so! I was probably being lazy by making a big batch and keeping it too long.

dublintimmy · Posted: Mon May 25, 2009 3:04 pm Post subject:

I tried the garlic spray - and I don't notice any difference. I was hoping that it would be a magic cure - I'll just have to continue squashing the little darlings with my finger and thumb.

Her Outdoors · Posted: Mon May 25, 2009 5:16 pm Post subject:

I have sprayed it today, so will see if it works tomorrow. Did you find it very "gluey" Dublintimmy? I found it hard to spray and ended up painting it on.

foxroxks · Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2009 7:14 pm Post subject:

Has anybody found any thing that works ? My tallest sunflower has just fallen over & its covered in greenfly. Ive never had a problem like this before just a few on a branch of my apple tree Crying or Very sad

Sean Ph'lib · Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2009 9:10 pm Post subject:

I have a few rose bushes; I manage the greenfly by just spraying them off occasionally with a high-powered jet of water from a hose.

brennan.jm · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 01 Jun 2009 Posts: 41

i have left greenfly to nature this year and none of my roses have problems dealing with greenfly. i only feed them with farmyard manure and i have not sprayed them with anything this year. i am havinf some problems with black spot though