Help! Aphid infestation
Login
User Name
Password   


Registration is FREE. Click to become a member of OrchidBoard community
(You're NOT logged in)

menu menu

Sponsor
Donate Now
and become
Forum Supporter.

Help! Aphid infestation
Many perks!
<...more...>


Sponsor
 

Google


Fauna Top Sites
Register Help! Aphid infestation Members Help! Aphid infestation Help! Aphid infestation Today's PostsHelp! Aphid infestation Help! Aphid infestation Help! Aphid infestation
LOG IN/REGISTER TO CLOSE THIS ADVERTISEMENT
Go Back   Orchid Board - Most Complete Orchid Forum on the web ! > >
Reply
 
Thread Tools Rate Thread Display Modes
  #1  
Old 04-06-2019, 12:26 AM
Zindaginha Zindaginha is offline
Member
 

Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 38
Help! Aphid infestation
Default Help! Aphid infestation

Hey alls,

I have a greenhouse shelf from Target that has two levels of grow lights on it.

I normally do some kind of watering in the tent every day so it gets regular airflow by being opened up and having stuff moved around, but for the most part it is all set up to go automatically, so when I left town for a week and asked a housemate to look after my houseplant collection, I told her she didn't need to bother with the greenhouse.

Well, I came back today and first thing I noticed was an aphid infestation on one of my kohleria plants!!! It is a sprawling plant and is in a steady growth phase, so leaves are brushing up against other plants.

What can I do about this? I'm hoping to avoid something drastic like neem oil, but I do have hydro peroxide, alcohol, sulpher...

I am beside myself--I've been doing so great with my plant collection, lately!
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 04-06-2019, 12:41 AM
aliceinwl aliceinwl is offline
Senior Member
 

Join Date: Nov 2017
Zone: 9b
Location: Central Coast of California
Posts: 1,163
Help! Aphid infestation Female
Default

Small infestations a few days of hand squishing works. Larger infestations I have some organic insecticidal soap but it has caused damage on some of the flowers and new growths of my orchids when I’ve had to use it.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 04-06-2019, 03:01 AM
Zindaginha Zindaginha is offline
Member
 

Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 38
Help! Aphid infestation
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by aliceinwl View Post
Small infestations a few days of hand squishing works. Larger infestations I have some organic insecticidal soap but it has caused damage on some of the flowers and new growths of my orchids when I’ve had to use it.
Le sigh. Insecticidal soap it is. I just trimmed back the leaves I spotted the little sob's on, but there were so many of them...

How did this happen?
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 04-06-2019, 12:02 PM
Arizona Jeanie Arizona Jeanie is offline
Senior Member
 

Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Arizona Mountains
Posts: 292
Help! Aphid infestation
Default

Hello Zinda!
Aphids are famous for going from "not noticed" to "swarms" all of a sudden, especially this time of year.
Insecticidal soap is probably your least-toxic option. Peroxide, alcohol, sulfur and such are more likely to damage the plant and less likely to kill the aphids. These products are all "chemicals" too.
Don't let the word "insecticidal" spook you. This is just soap that has been especially formulated to NOT damage the plant. Look for a product that has "potassium salts of fatty acids" as the active ingredient. Again, this is just soap, by its chemical name. Dish soap has been specially formulated to clean dishes, and is more likely to damage the plant. "Insecticidal Soap" is made for plants. It kills bugs on contact, there is no residual or systemic effect. It is just soap and water, but made to use on plants. It kills aphids.
Follow the label directions. You'll need to thoroughly spray the whole plant. After about half an hour you can rinse it off with plain water, this also helps lessen the chance of phytotoxicity. You'll need to repeat this 2-3 times a week for several weeks, then give it a rest but keep a close eye out for more bugs. You may need to continue to spot treat for awhile. Also keep an eye on your other plants. It's easier when you catch it early on, and now you know what to look for.
Here's a link to an article with a good explanation as to why you should use "insecticidal soap" instead of "Grandma's home remedy dish soap formula"
Control Houseplant Insect Pests Safely With Insecticidal Soap | News

Reply With Quote
Post Thanks / Like - 1 Likes
Likes Zindaginha liked this post
  #5  
Old 04-06-2019, 01:04 PM
aliceinwl aliceinwl is offline
Senior Member
 

Join Date: Nov 2017
Zone: 9b
Location: Central Coast of California
Posts: 1,163
Help! Aphid infestation Female
Default

A number of aphid species can reproduce asexually. Even in the case of sexual species, it just takes one pregnant winged female sneaking in. I usually don’t notice them either until their numbers are high.
Reply With Quote
Post Thanks / Like - 1 Likes
Likes Zindaginha liked this post
  #6  
Old 04-06-2019, 10:51 PM
Zindaginha Zindaginha is offline
Member
 

Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 38
Help! Aphid infestation
Default

Thanks, guys! I'll spray tomorrow when I can take everything outside and let the sun, wind and maybe rain help out a bit.

I'm more concerned about my carnivores at this point--I believe pretty much any chemical treatment can kill sundews and butterworts...my babies...
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Tags
collection, greenhouse, infestation, plant, plants


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Bulb. falcatum - aphid damage or virus? tombolo Pests & Diseases 4 10-04-2017 02:06 PM
Phalaenopsis Orchid with a Mealybug infestation SMcNece Beginner Discussion 3 06-06-2016 08:39 AM
Scale Infestation scy Pests & Diseases 29 06-28-2011 11:33 AM
Phal Infestation Doom4life Pests & Diseases 1 03-26-2011 09:56 PM
Mealy bug infestation Dumb chemist Pests & Diseases 25 08-12-2010 02:56 PM

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:23 AM.

© 2007 OrchidBoard.com
Search Engine Optimisation provided by DragonByte SEO v2.0.37 (Lite) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
Feedback Buttons provided by Advanced Post Thanks / Like (Lite) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.

Clubs vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.