Day 3 of sunshine and the greenhouse temperatures up to 100*F. The vents are open and the fan is on in my little piece of heaven.
Only look close……..
(Ekkkkk) a bug and not the good kind of bug either. The next thing I know I am spraying the greenhouse plants down with my soap, water and oil mix. And wouldn’t you know I forgot my eye glasses in the house today so it was really hard to see if those little buggers were still moving after being NUKED.
Nuking the BUGS! Why do I all of a sudden have ‘GO AHEAD make my day!” going through my head??!
Aphids must love German Statice as much as I do because they were all over this perennial that has been enjoying the winter in my greenhouse. This photo to the right is before I ‘nuked ‘ it with the soap mixture.
The crazy thing is I DID NOT see them yesterday! Believe me, I would have noticed these icky critters.
And here the little aphids are after a nice soap bath. I am trying not to get frustrated because it has been a wonderful learning experience all winter.
Tomorrow I am going to try a product I purchased up at Black Diamond Nursery in Perrysburg, Ohio today. It is an organic product that contains NEEM OIL. YOU KNOW I will keep you posted on how this product works for me in my 10′x12′ greenhouse.
UNTIL Tomorrow…. I am going back to enjoy one of the coolest things about having a greenhouse. I can enjoy petunia’s blooming along with the tulips on a sunshiny 90*F day in early March . BUGS BE GONE! (if it were only that easy?!)
A friend from my Facebook Page sent me this article she wrote about Aphids. Wonderful article : Controlling Aphids in your Garden.
My name is 
Oh, those nasty aphids! I usually use a soapy water spray too. I’ll be interested to know how the neem oil spray works.
I planted petunias, but mine are just tiny little things right now. I look forward to seeing them bloom. I love the color of your petunia, they look so healthy!
Thanks for stopping by Robin. I can’t wait to see what colors you are growing this year. That petunia is one that spent the winter in my greenhouse from last summer. I have found a new love for Petunias and Geraniums since they do so well in the winter Greenhouse.
I was in total panic yesterday when I rushed out and bought that Neem Oil. I am sure the Organic Home Mix works but I had not been putting it on the plant because I didn’t see any bugs. I guess we have to look really close each day??!!!
Love your greenhouse diaries….When will you be able to garden outside? I’m excited to see everyones gardens this season..
Darla – I usually plant outside by June 1st. Thank you for stopping by – I am so happy you enjoy my updates. I WILL keep them coming!
Lady Bugs Lady Bugs Lady Bugs order by mail, delivered to your door. Build little Lady Bug houses out of small 3″ baskests.
Take basket and a thin flat stick/Chop Stick wire basket to side at top (look like a funny wind sock) place several throughout your garden area or two inside a Greenhouse.
When your Lady Bugs arive in the mail open the box and place them in the Lady Bug houses. They will find their way to your Bugs from there : )
Growin Green and Treating Green natures way : )
Unfortunately, with warm weather comes those nasty little suckers. I am interested in hearing how the Neem Oil does for you. I have three new rose bushes that the aphids have not discovered yet despite temperatures in the 60′s.
Hi Bren~~ Aphids are so annoying. One of the reasons I’ve hesitated installing a greenhouse is the bug factor. I’m sure it’s not an insurmountable problem. I hope you’re successful at eradicating them from your plants.
I am going to share everything I can…. will let you know how it goes using natural cures. I hope to inspire you to give this a try. THE BLOOMS are well worth the chore of getting rid of the bugs!
Hope all went well ridding those nasty aphids, Bren! Amazing how much damage they can do in a short period. Happy sunshine!
I hate it when they sneak up like that! Neem oil works great and is safe on my carnivorous too! I have had to use a stronger mix at times. Unfortunately, the recent whitefly invasion in Florida isn’t making things easier
I think you have ‘made’ their day, Bren;-) Now I hope you can just keep making it every day…meaning, they will never see the light of day again!! Is your greenhouse temp really 90 degrees? WOW! Must be like the middle of summer here in VA, without the humidity, I would hope. I love your greenhouse and how you’ve managed to do so much this winter, and share…and of course, learn. Pretty petunia, too. I need to get some seeds going!