White fly in the greenhouse....

[Palmers-patch]

Hi All

I was very disappointed to suddenly spot some white fly on the leaves of an aubergine plant in the greenhouse this weekend (which is the plant doing the least well amongst healthy cucumber, toms and pepper plants, though it does have one flower) Will it spread to the others? What is the best way to keep it under control/get rid of it? Is there an organic way?

Any help appreciated

[bramble]

I always plant a marigold in each pot of tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers. This is said to be a deterrent. I haven't had white fly in the greenhouse since I started to do this.

[valmarg]

It's a bit late now to sow them, but you should plant french marigolds in the pots with the tomates/cucumbers/aubergines/peppers, etc.

Apparently there is something in the marigold plants that the whitefly do not like. Planting them in with the above crops, the plants take up the substance, and you end up with whitefly free plants. It is companion planting at its best. We have been using this system for several years and have now been trouble free from whitefly in the greenhouse.

I don't know why or how it works, but it does seem to.

Obviously, as I said it is a bit late for growing marigold plants, but if you have any seed, just put two or three in the top of the pots you are growing the tomatoes, etc in and it should help.

[Two_Sheds]

My French marigolds have only just germinated on the lotty (self sown). They're an inch tall and will be transplanted to my brassica bed

[womble]

French Marigolds work brilliantly in a greenhouse. I also have used a "flying squad" of a bucket full of them, which I used to move to where ever there may be a problem.

[Palmers-patch]

Thanks All

I did actually plant some french marigolds on the greenhouse and admittedly the problem plants are the furthest from the marigolds. I will pot a couple and place them nearer the problem and see what happens. Should I spray with soapy water in the mean time?

[zazen999]

Thanks All

I did actually plant some french marigolds on the greenhouse and admittedly the problem plants are the furthest from the marigolds. I will pot a couple and place them nearer the problem and see what happens. Should I spray with soapy water in the mean time?

Nah, soapy water doesn't work on whitefly. You need either insecticidal soap or sticky traps. Or get the marigolds moved pronto!

[chris]

Bit of a bump..

Would the marigolds deter whtiefly if they're in seperate pots, or do they need to be in the same pots to absorb whatever it is?

My marigolds now are probably about a foot and a half high, in small pots. Dread to think how large they'd get if I planted them in the same pots as my aubs/toms.. (am seeing a few on my aubergine leaves - currently just wiping them off).

[chris]

Bit of a bump..

Would the marigolds deter whtiefly if they're in seperate pots, or do they need to be in the same pots to absorb whatever it is?

My marigolds now are probably about a foot and a half high, in small pots. Dread to think how large they'd get if I planted them in the same pots as my aubs/toms.. (am seeing a few on my aubergine leaves - currently just wiping them off).

[Lotsaveg]

Not wishing to blatantly advertise anything, but if you want to get rid of whitefly and other sap-sucking greenhouse pests safely, quickly and effectively then it has to be SB Plant Invigorator. ... and no I unfortunately haven't shares in the company!!