Hello Dear Rose Friends,
As we pull on our winter woollies, light the wood fire and hunker down under the doona, it's a sure sign that winter is approaching.
On that note, just this past week I’ve pulled our potted citrus trees under the carport where they still get plenty of sun but if there’s an unexpected frost, they’ll continue to provide delicious fruit.
Hope this is a warning that any of your frost-sensitive plants should be covered now – pots shifted undercover or ‘blanket’ cover for frost-sensitive trees whilst they’re still young!
Giggle of the day:
Q. What did the tie say to the hat?
A. “You go on ahead, I’ll just hang around”.
EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT OF APHIDS
Many customers have experienced massive infestations of aphids that can be controlled with Eco-Oil (which suffocates) and Eco-Neem (which starves). Mix both oils well with water and after the first spray when the weather will not exceed 28 degrees; spray again in 3-5 days and then once more in 7-10 days.
Managing aphids using this program is very effective because you’re breaking down the breeding cycle. Organic management with Eco-Oil and Eco-Neem has an impact on ‘baby’ insects in their larval stage - as surviving young become fewer, the breeding is interrupted and fewer adults can mate.
I hope this simplistic way of describing what happens when you resort to our organic rose management program encourages you to be patient and know that together with all the predatory insects, birds, and Mother Nature, you and your roses will prevail over aphids and other damaging impacts.
Shop Eco Oil Now 500ml or 1litre
Another giggle for the day:
Q. What happens to a blue stone if you throw it into the Red Sea?
A. It gets wet!
This email came in during last week:
"Hi - I have a white pest growing all around my roses and even into other garden beds. Can you tell me what it is and how to get rid of it? Also, are there plants I should put in to keep it away? Picture attached. Thanks – Erin"
My response:
"Hi Erin … I just went to google ‘cockshafer’ and found it – we have them in the soil here too but we have lots of ducks and other birds who eat them. Maybe research whether they’re doing damage or perhaps how you might reduce their numbers without doing environmental damage!!!!!! Take care … if they’re not hurting your plants, why would you bother hurting them? Sometimes the cure is worse than the complaint …
Hope this is helpful and if you find something which might interest other gardeners, please share! Thank you … Gra"
Erin’s response:
"Thanks Gra - Good to have a name. Please let your readers know to beware of these things. I’ve just checked on a potted lavender plant that looked a little sick. I gave it a tug and the top lifted off - its roots were all eaten. I found around 30 of these bugs in the pot.
I’ll do further investigation now