Blackfly plus?

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by gavintarrant, Jul 3, 2011.

  1. gavintarrant

    gavintarrant Gardener

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    Hi

    My poppy leaves have lots of little black pieces, eggs presumably, mainly on undersides but some on top of the leaves. I'm guessing based on nothing but that's the only pest whose name I know that they are blackfly (photo attached).

    Can anyone confirm and also your favourite cures for this?

    Also on some undersides are small white slighty flaky bits that fall off if touched leaving a pale white mark. Any advice you be welcome please.

    thanks
    Gavin.
     

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  2. gavintarrant

    gavintarrant Gardener

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    Do I need better pictures or have I really stumped everyone?
     
  3. shiney

    shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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    It looks like blackfly to me.

    Apart from being a little unsightly it shouldn't be too much of a problem if it remains on the leaves. Blackfly suck sap so if they are getting very large in number and on the stem it could affect the flowering. They're unlikely to do much damage as poppies have a fairly short flowering period and there won't be time to affect them.

    You can wash them off with a hose but it's possible the water jet may damage the plant, rub them off with your fingers or put a little washing up liquid in a hand water spray and squirt them with it - which should kill them (but their dead bodies will remain on the plant).

    good luck :dbgrtmb:
     
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    • Daisies

      Daisies Total Gardener

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      Spray the plant with a week solution of vinegar! About 1 tbl spoon per pint if I recall. However, if that doesn't work, try upping the strength a bit at a time. Neat vinegar is a very efficient weed killer! :WINK1:
       
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