Greenfly on my Gooseberries.

[vicki lorraine]

I have noticed greenfly on my gooseberries. This is my first year with them and i am growing organically. What can i do. There are too many to squash them.
Any advice gratefully received.

[Two_Sheds]

No, there aren't too many to squash...think how many you'll have if you don't squash them!
Look around for some ladybird larvae and transport them to your goosegogs to help out too.

[jondanie]

Hi Vicki,
Had the same problem on my Gazanias a few days ago, Used the old trick of spraying the plants with soapy water (i used a spray bottle of water with some washing up liquid and a little vegetable oil as a "sticker"). Did it two days running and happy to say, all greenfly are now deceased!

Hope this helps,

[terrier]

You beat me to it, jondanie. My sister would swear by soapy water in the garden, She sprayed it on everything that grew!!

[jondanie]

Terrier,
you can beat me next time, yeah, soapy water will do the trick, adding the little vegetable oil really helps too, as it improves the wetting and sticking.

[tinyvine]

Thanks for the tip jondanie, I've heard garlic water works but have never tried it, now I have two things to try- I'll be armed and ready if they dare come near my goosegogs!!

[jondanie]

you're welcome Tiny,
I'm sure garlic water would do the trick too, be sure to do under the leaves aswell

Good luck

[poshfan]

greenfly

you can get organic sprays of 'fatty acids' as well - and for next year of course try to increase the general wildlife content of the garden; plenty of limmanthes 'poached egg' plants to attract the hoverflies for one thing.

[vicki lorraine]

Thanks.
Ive been jetting them with water and this seems to have improved things.
Will use the soapy water method i think.
We are currently building bug houses for the lacewings and ladybirds. Will post some pics when finished.
Never grew gooseberries before so looking forward to tasting them later on.

[valmarg]

Greenfly on Gooseberries

At this time of year, when great/blue tits and wrens are desperately seeking 'natural food' for their chicks, to put some peanuts/sunflower seeds under the gooseberry bush will attract the natural predators. I've found this to be a much better remedy than soapy water!!

[Flummery]

My gooseberry bushes are also being 'cleaned' nicely by a friendly blue tit. Propper organic that is!