Page 38 - Phonebox Magazine July 2006

TEAS IN THE CONSERVATORY ON SUNDAYS AND BANK HOLIDAYS
From Sunday 30th April until Monday 28th August Cream Teas will be served in the Conservatory of the United Reformed Church Northampton Road Yardley Hastings
From 2.30pm until 5.00pm
Friend or Foe?
Aphids are one of our most ubiquitous garden pests. There are over 550 different species in the UK alone, and between them, feed on almost every type of plant we grow, houseplants, shrubs, trees, fruit, vegetables or exotics in the conservatory.
As it sucks the sugary sap from the plant, usually choosing the tender young shoots, its saliva is quite toxic to the plant and can cause distorted growth, along with weakened and stunted growth as the sap is removed. Aphids are responsible for sticky honeydew, you may find on infested plants. Not too pleasant when you realise your tomato plant is covered with aphid excreta!
They may not be easily visible but by looking on undersides of leaves and on fresh young growth you may find groups of aphids, in all colours too, from the common greenfly and blackfly to shades of yellow, buff and pinkish brown. And yes, there will always be a group as they have an extremely efficient reproductive cycle – one female adult can produce a population of many millions, and she doesn’t need a partner!
Control of this pest can be achieved by helpful creatures in your garden, by encouraging birds, hoverflies, lacewings, spiders and ladybirds and their larvae to eat either the adults or over-wintering eggs. Insecticides containing just the chemical Pirimicarb have no significant effect on anything other than aphids. A biological control is also available, the tiny parasitic wasp aphidus lays its eggs in the body of the aphid, which will die within a week while the wasp’s young develop within the mummified body.
This biological control and others are available from www.defenders.co.uk by mail order. d
For more garden maintenance, advice, design, and planting ideas, visit www.applegategardens.co.uk
MIDLAND TREE
SPECIALISTS
Commercial & Domestic 24 Hour Emergency Call Out
£5 MILLION PUBLIC LIABILITY N.P.T.C. REGISTERED
a All aspects of tree surgery work carried out by qualified and experienced arborists
a Hedges reduced, trimmed, shaped
a All debris removed from site
a Stump grinding/wood chipping
a Firewood and woodchip supplied
a All areas covered, no job too big or small, free quotations and advice
01604 813498 MOBILE 07801 296 637 www.midlandtreespecialists.co.uk
08000 111 222
40 Phonebox Magazine