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The weather will soon warm up and we will be eager to get into the greenhouse to pot on our plants for the summer.
Unfortunately with the joy of growing plants comes the inevitable greenhouse pests!
Whitefly feed on the sap from the leaves and stems, weakening the plant. The sticky honeydew excreted by these pests then allows sooty mould to grow on the leaves which prevents successful photosynthesis.
Due to our year round heated greenhouse, we often have an early onslaught of whitefly and have tried many different methods to knock these little blighters on the head before they take a hold.
We have listed a few suggestions below which we have found successful over the years at keeping these pests at bay.
- Firstly and most importantly, as with many things, prevention is better than cure…
- Setting up yellow sticky traps early on, will grab any invaders braving the cold.
- We use SB Plant Invigorator and Bug Killer This non-toxic solution is harmless to bees and birds and controls a wide range of pest including Whitefly, Aphids, Spider Mite, Mealybug, Scale and Psyllid.
- Washing up liquid! We have found that a squirt of washing up liquid in a sprayer filled with water really is a great solution to sooty mould. Spray the leaves of the affected plant, leave for ten minutes and then wash off with a hose.
- Don’t wait until you see the pests, take action NOW!
In our Experience using these three combinations really can keep your greenhouse and plants be pest free.
