rhubarb leaves

Hi all
I was in a discussion with a guy who says he uses rhubarb leaves juice as an effective control for green and white fly. Just wandering if this is a common practice and if there are any drawbacks. We are are establishing allotments of raised beds, with an ethos to use natural pest controls when ever possible.

 

Been told about it, but never tried it.


Trevor

 

It works but we can't endorse it on the forum as its illegal under EC law:WINK1:

I hope you understand our situation Jack

 

If you have raised bed plots I think the most effective protection is fine mesh nets, which helps with all sorts of pests.
We tried it last year and only had to remove the mesh once to weed during the growing period and had good results.

 

I've heard Terry Walton discuss this a few times and the general consensus was always that it was a waste of time. I'll see if i can find the podcasts and link the exact discussions.

 

Ok I'm confused now. On the podcast they discuss making a spray and also digging in the leaves prior to planting which they say doesn't work yet doing a quick search and he seems to have advocated it on a TV programme.

So I'm out

 

The double standards and inconsistancy of Gardeners Click:fingerdrum::D

 

I've had success with washing up liquid - very diluted (about a teaspoon to a couple of litres of water). Spray weekly. Aphids breathe through their skin so it makes them suffocate.

 

Cheer for the advice, very mixed opinions, I have used diluted washing up liquid before so I'll stick with that. Is there anything else I can us thats nature friendly. At the moment I have something eating my cabbages and broad beans and can't seem to find the culprit.
Oh they are under a cloche so I'm not even sure how they c
got there. Out of curiosity, obviously, these poisonous leaves are not suitable for the compost heap so what do you do with it. I don,t think we are allowed to burn things on the site

 

You've probably got a slug or snail in there somewhere, they have a habit of turning up in cloches and cold frames (not to mention greenhouses), especially in winter.
Chances are you'll find one (or more) hiding on the underside of a cabbage leaf.
As for putting rhubarb leaves on the compost heap, I don't think it's a problem. I've been doing it for years, the compost goes on the vegetable garden and I'm still here!
I would imagine the toxins are broken down during the composting process.

 

Thanks to all

Happy New year to everybody

 

I'd agree with Trunky. I put all my Brug. cuttings/leaves in the compost and it seems safe. However, the scent from the colour purple is stunning!! LoL