Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

Cultivation => Cultivation Problems => Topic started by: John85 on May 15, 2015, 09:56:44 AM

Title: Root aphid
Post by: John85 on May 15, 2015, 09:56:44 AM

Now that many systemic insecticides have been banned,what do you use to control root aphids?
Has someone tried tansy tea? I guess it can work for plants in pots.
And what about plants in the garden?Would drenching the soil with the mixture be effective?

Title: Re: Root aphid
Post by: Maggi Young on May 15, 2015, 11:54:54 AM

  What an interesting suggestion, John.  Tansy Tea, made from  Tanacetum vulgare      ( as opposed to tansy/ragwort,  Jacobaea vulgaris  syn. Senecio jacobaea)  might well be effective.  Not sure where I could find sufficient tansy to   experiment with.  Wonder who may have tried this?

Title: Re: Root aphid
Post by: John85 on May 15, 2015, 04:04:53 PM

Maggi,does that mean that Tanacetum vulgare is an uncommon weed in Scotland?

Title: Re: Root aphid
Post by: Maggi Young on May 15, 2015, 04:08:28 PM

Well, I don't see much of it in this area, John. Cannot speak for elsewhere in the country but I believe it to be more common  is other areas. 

Title: Re: Root aphid
Post by: Giles on May 15, 2015, 08:06:06 PM

Quassia chips might be an option. Boiled in water, then used as a spray or drench.
I used to use them quite a bit.