Aphids on Lupins
Nancy in Mississauga, Ont.
Doug says ants on lupins are a pain in the anatomy
Lupins are aphid-traps. They attract almost as many of these pests as honeysuckle do. The answer to both is the same.
Constant vigilance.
A strong jet of water will knock aphids off the plants. They won't climb back on as beetles etc will usually eat them quite quickly. You have to do it regularly - like every 2-3 days.
Baking soda won't do a darn thing for pests. It isn't bad on fungus but not insects.
Fungicides kill fungus - not aphids.
Insecticidal soap works nicely if mixed at the right proportion.
Again, read the label and understand that you have to go after these aphid pests regularly every 3-5 days. I note this is the same regime for chemical sprays as well. You just never get them all the first time so you have to repeat regularly. (If organic sprays and hose jets are equally effective, why spend the money on spraying noxious chemicals if you don't have to?)
Control the aphids as above.
Trim off the dead/dying flowers.
The leaves will be fine and there's no need to dig them up or cut them to the ground if you are regularly taking care of the hose jet and/or soap spray.
Vigilance! Repetition. That will work the magic in the garden no matter whether it is insect control, weeds or flower deadheading.
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