Plant Doctor Archive

 HOW do I deal with aphids on my water plants?

  THE standard answer is to hose them off and let the fish eat them. But some fish seem particularly uncooperative in this regard! I usually wipe the pests off with a damp sponge. If you have a bad problem, you should remove the plants from the pond, spray with spraying oil and leave them sitting in fresh water for a few days before returning them to the pond.

Others recommend spraying with oil in the pond. I am dubious about this, as it tends to sit on the surface and inhibit gas exchange.

Weekend Gardener, Issue 88, 2001, Page 22

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