Yes, I have tried nettle and it tends to work quite well, depending on the type of aphid. Kelp spray also helps to balance the nutrition in the sap, thereby changing the sap unpalatable to the aphids. Also, in spraying , especially a hard spray, knocks many of the aphids off anyway by mechanical means. Much aphid control can be done just by physical water forces, but, that does not solve the sap content that attracted the aphids in the first place. Michael ----- Original Message ----- From: "Tony Nelson-Smith" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Monday, June 16, 2003 9:24 AM Subject: Aphid control
> The (British) BDAA Newsheet for June 2003 recommends a cold-water nettle > brew against aphids - fresh nettles ( 1 kg to 10 litres water) are left to > stand for 12-24 hours (longer, it ferments and becomes ineffective); the > strained liquid is sprayed undiluted onto the infested plants, daily for > several days. This is said to stimulate sap flow, helping the plants to > overcome checks in growth which invited the aphids in the first place. I > wonder if the formic acid (?) of the 'sting' also has a direct effect on the > insects? > For a severe infestation, they recommend a similar brew of bracken, tansy > and wormwood. > Has anyone tried this, with what results? Any comments on the mechanism? > Tony N-S. > > _________________________________________________________________ > Use MSN Messenger to send music and pics to your friends > http://www.msn.co.uk/messenger > > _______________________________________________ > BDNow mailing list > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > You can unsubscribe or change your options at: > http://lists.envirolink.org/mailman/listinfo/bdnow > _______________________________________________ BDNow mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can unsubscribe or change your options at: http://lists.envirolink.org/mailman/listinfo/bdnow
