Aubergine and attack of the Aphids

[horticultural_hobbit]

Not being able to have a greenhouse in pop hobbits garden, early long purple is next door neighbours with the Courgette and shallots. Over the last week, I have noticed a vanguard of aphids. They are everywhere, and there isn't a ladybird in sight. The one that did appear, was more taken with the BNS.

I have heard about the Fairy mode of attack: both the positive and negatives. I would rather like to keep the aubergine, has two potential buds.

Swear they are S+M aphids. Who'd want to cuddle a soft velveteen leaf that has spikes...

[vicky]

I had a quick spray of Ecover yesterday evening, as you say no ladybirds in the g/h and I don't want to lose the plants! Did it in the evening as less bugs around during the night to be harmed

[horticultural_hobbit]

The weather is not helping. Whilst I have three flowers, only the one has flowered. And what a depressed looking thing it is, craning downwards. Produced a beautiful lilac flower.

Aubergine is a curiousity component of the experiment like the butternut squasg

[chris]

Mine have whitefly in - every other day I squish them - it keeps their numbers under control.. I must miss a few as by day 2 again they've increased to about 10 odd..

[Florence Fennel]

Haven't noticed any bugs on mine yet. but they seem to have stopped growing anyway.

[chris]

Mine are throwing armpit leaves out left right and centre... still no bloomin' flowers mind.

[sewer rat]

My aubergines are in thepolytunnel and aren't bothered by aphids but earwigs love the leaves

[horticultural_hobbit]

Mine are throwing armpit leaves out left right and centre... still no bloomin' flowers mind.

This made me laugh! There are lots of little leafs lower down the plant. Fuzzy and velvety. Some of the bigger leaves have been chomped to pieces. Look like a cross between Aunt Gladys' net curtains and Maltese Filligree. There is one big flower-now opened up-and two smaller buds. Sure is taking it's time. Most likely as it is exposed. Haven't noticed so many aphids lately, to be fair. Maybe they got bored, or suffered an upset stomach. Tis meant to be an early long purple plant. Feels a little developmentally delayed to me!

[rustylady]

Hi Hobbit. You say your aubergine leaves have been "chomped". This won't have been caused by aphids, but by slugs or snails I would think.

[Florence Fennel]

I've had snails in my little stayput greenhouse. They are a a @@%%$$£ nuisance, almost dessimating my seedling cucumbers, so there are now a few blue smarties in there and I'm getting plenty of throwing practice.

[horticultural_hobbit]

Morning Rustylady,

Yes, most likely slugs and snails. May have revisit the use of beer traps. Tried once, and didn't act as deterrent. So will investigate being more savvy. perhaps finding some copper strips etc.

[horticultural_hobbit]

The Aubergine is looking a bit sorry for itself. It's not very tall, about thirty centimetres tall. Has a clutch of leaves around it, and three buds. The one that has flowered, and withered away. On close inspection, there is something there; looks like the end of a chilli. It may not be anything, can't say with any conviction that fertilisation has occurred. Other buds are closed. Have gathered from various others threads that aubergines are like adolescents. They take their time.

That said, have I got meself a duffer? This is what it looks likes, is perhaps only a few centimetres taller.

Aubergine 'Early long purple' - Horticulturalhobbit Wiki

[Jardiniere]

Aubergine flowers do hang down and look sad for themselves...my aubergine plants always look miserable ...they never seem to be a perky plant.....i grow small aubergines.

[Florence Fennel]

I have half a dozen aubergines in the stayput, but I swear they are not moving. I'm feeding them weekly now in the hope that they'll get on with it. If I don't get any fruit I'm not messing with them next year.

[horticultural_hobbit]

Morning, Florence.

At the moment, with the dry weather, I'm watering twice a week, with tomato feed at least once. Knowing how aubergines are family to tomatos, I'm trying not to drench the miserable thing. Then I feel gulity for not giving it enough to drink. I'm also thinking about not planting another next year, but will see what happens with the remainder of the growing season. Having googled, what I have, doesn't look that different from that grown by others. Whatever I learn now, can be utilised in the future. That said, I'm not holding out much hope, if being a moody plant is what it is does best. Ma won't be impressed with a scrag end aubergine.