Maples & Aphids

[BoNZai]

In the last week I have been unindated with aphids on the Japanese Maples. Black, green, big fat juicy ones. I can understand why they like it at my place. Lots of healthy growth, young shoots full of nitrogen.
if I were an aphid, I would like to live here too.

I normally do not worry too much about aphids, I can manually control them or slosh them off with some water. Especially in the rose garden I just use the water hose and wash them off.

Different story with the Japanese maples. The new growth is very young and sappy and is easlily damaged by either trying to get your fingers in there or by using a jet of water out of the garden hose or even a spray bottle.

Last year after spraying the roses I had some pesticide left over and sprayed on garden maple with aphids. Bad mistake, burned just about every leaf off!
So chemical sprays in the early season are a no no! Probably a no no on Japanese maples full stop!

Do any of you use a "Maple young growth friendly" spray that might knock the aphid numbers down?
Detergent?

Thanks

BoNZai

[kcpoole]

I have used "confidor" on my azaleas and maples with no ill effects

From this site http://www.bayercropscience.com.au/cs/p ... asp?id=148
Confidor will control aphids.
As allways, Test on a small section first

Ken

[Pup]

I also use Confidor not sure if you can get in N.Z if not persevere with the detergent you could add some vegatable oil to the detergent.
To make it more sticky to the Aphids. I have used in the past only got a couple of Shohin sized ones I am working now So I will have to watch out.
Pup

[teejay]

I've used pymethrin and confidor or japanese maples with no burning of the leaves. I'm current spraying them every few days to rid myself of the suspected Thrip problem.

[Chris H]

Confidor seems to resolve most issues at my place.

[Grant Bowie]

Confidor and Pest Oil takes care of nearly everything.

[paddles]

confidor here, but If you can't get it, I have heard that garlic spray works, boil up some garlic, allow to cool, add a little oil, mix and spray. don't know how maples would take it. I've never used it myself, I use confidor

[Petra]

I use to have garlic growing under my roses and i never had problems with aphids. Try growing a pot of garlic next to your bonsai's and every now or then brush over the garlic leaves with your hand. Or even grow them under your benches if you have them. My cats always played under the roses and trampled the garlic. I beleive the aroma kept the aphids away. Good luck!

[BoNZai]

Hey guys, thanks for all your prompt replies.

It was the natural pyrethrum that caused the burning last year on the maples

Petra, the garlic does work, I grow it under my roses as well with good results.Unfortunately, I have no garlic in close vicinity to the maples and it is a bit late to plant garlic now to have an affect.
I might try a boil up and see if it works on one maple and the rest I'll treat with Confidor.

Thanks again,

BoNZai

[Deadwood]

I used a pyrethrum last year and it did burn but i found it was whatever that was in with it that did the damage. Was the spray you used in a pressure pack? I changed to a punp pack and it was a lot watery not as oily and there was no damage. Also use Confidor on nearly everything with no problems as yet.

[kvan64]

I use Yates powder, the one home vege growers use on cabages. It's plant extract and all natural. Works like a charm on my Japanese maples. Oh, you could also eat those yummy leaves the next day without ill effects. Just need to wash them

[stymie]

Over here on the other side of the ball, I have discovered that some systemic pesticides cause leaf drop on Acers. I have found the soapy water or detergent ample to control aphids. Bearing in mind of course that this is a 'contact' treatment, all surfaces of the leaves must be coated including underneath. This method may be repeated again and again with no adverse reaction from the plants. A little added to the water butts prevents mosquito lavae and daphnia from breeding there.

[BoNZai]

Again, thanks for your comments and confidence in Confidor. Someone told me today to hang banana skins in the trees, apparantly the aphids hate the smell, a bit like garlic I suppose
Also she send me a page long of benefits to the human body on consuming nanas
So. 2 birds with one nana

Cheers

BoNZai

[Mojo Moyogi]

Forget the chemicals BoNZai, try Beat a Bug Insect spray and natural plant food. It has Chilli, Garlic and Pyrethrum and works great as well as being organic! It's available in NZ and has won awards there. Check out their website here:http://beatabug.net/ .

Put your maple in a shady spot for a couple of days after spraying, that should stop any possibility of leaf burn.

Cheers
MM

P.S. Aphid problems can be avoided by a winter spray with Lime Sulphur (diluted), which will kill overwintering eggs. It will stain pots though so be careful to cover them up.

[BoNZai]

Thanks MM,
Yep, I'm with you on getting rid of the chemicals. Sometimes we have to be cruel to be kind and I guess that was the situation I was in this week
I sprayed with Confidor last night and this morning there is a black carpet of dead aphids under a few trees.
Once the aphid population is under control I will certainly purchase some Beat a Bug insect spray and use it.
Thanks for your input and thinking of mother nature

BoNZai