Stop aphids without poison (3 Tips against aphids on Bonsai)

[@Darkfire1300]

Thanks for all your very practical information. About 20 years ago I had a long discussion with an entomologist (bug guy) about using soap to kill aphids (or other insects). He told me that soap suffocates them because it clogs up their “breathing pores”. He indicated that lemon was a repellent and gave me a recipe for using this wonderful remedy. I use both hand spray bottle and hose end sprayer. With the former, 1/3 soap - use only lemon scented liquid dish soap. (Here “Lemon Fresh Joy) fill 2/3 water and spray away. With hose end sprayer, only soap in the source bottle. I spray in the afternoon after the sun is off the plants. The hose end sprayer lets me cover a larger area quickly and thoroughly. I wait 15 to 30 minutes and spray/rinse thoroughly with plain water, Bugs gone and generally stay gone at least 4 weeks. I use the same on the indoor tropical species (spray in the bathtub). I haven’t lost any trees following this method. But I think the rinse is critical for tender species.
I use the same on landscape trees. And, I douse with full strength soap, the entire perimeter of my house where the soil meets the foundation. No aphids on little or big trees and none in the house. This year I am going to douse the root perimeter of the landscape trees before leaf out to see if that stops the pest infestation that has plagued me with two big river birch trees in the front yard. The birds and other predators don't seem to be blowing any bubbles!!!😊

[@GrowingBonsai]

yes, this is also how I understand this works

[@jeffhurst4744]

Nice review of treating and preventing aphids on our trees. Your mention of garlic usage - well - that thought of prolific garlic aromas emanating from observing individuals’ Bonsai could very well excite one’s tummy or add that extra sensory treat when enjoying them. Kidding aside, all treatments and preventative measures that work are on the table. Thank you for another informative video. 😊

[@GrowingBonsai]

Garlic & Juniper makes for a great grill seasoning.. After-pruning thoughts?

[@Fean9rz]

I loved the jolly see-through shots of Jelle behind the three. You put more than just useful bonsai content 😁

[@KurisuBonsai]

Thanks Jelle.
Diluted dish soap in a spray bottle is my go to, lemon scented usually as I like the smell ;) Funnily enough found my first aphids/greenfly yesterday on a maple that's about to leaf out, it got the cannon. Also used the soap solution on wooly adelgids last year on a spruce and that seemed to work too.

[@GrowingBonsai]

It is such a simple yet affective way!

[@phillipwaterman5721]

. Nice video thanks jelle keep up the good work mate

[@GrowingBonsai]

Thank you!

[@grangrampa832]

Omg thank you so much my bonsai has aphids I’m going to do this right now 😊

[@MrGrumpyness]

Great stuff Jelle.
As I watched your video, I couldn't withhold a smile because all your solutions seemed so pretty obvious and easy.
Thx again!

[@GrowingBonsai]

Bonsai can be easy and straightforward :). My pleasure.

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

I bet you dont get any vampires either :)

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

We have real problems with that. I definitely need to follow this advice. 😊

[@GrowingBonsai]

:)

[@GrowingBonsai]

Can say I have not seen any around lately.

[@Steviejapanesegarden]

Thanks for the tips I have subscribed 👍

[@GrowingBonsai]

Welcome!

[@sebastianderangler4064]

"Ladybug larva" is my favorit. They can't fly away and it is biological.

[@GrowingBonsai]

Absolutely! But they do not show up until later in spring for us!

[@anathema157]

Happy see yours new video. Thx you !

[@GrowingBonsai]

Thank you!

[@JackC1961]

Good advice Jelle, like the 2 trays making a moat around the tree. Not so keen on the garlic idea as the smell will keep me away too 😳

[@GrowingBonsai]

You do not like garlic?

[@JackC1961]

@@GrowingBonsai In cooking its nice as a smell not so much.

[@FrostBiteBonsai]

I should try soap and water with rubbing alcohol. I had to change to insecticidal soap as regular soap and water was no longer working. Pests are a huge problem this year. Several different type indoors this winter, Some it is my first time dealing with them. Garlic is a good trick as well! I will try it!

[@GrowingBonsai]

It is a little odd. THere is no resistence buildup as it is not a poison but more a fysical effect (Clogging of their gas-exchange opening)

[@koenvanmeerbeeck8724]

hey jelle nice video again...when you use the dish soap spray...do you then spray the plant with just water? or can you leave the soapy water on the plant?

[@GrowingBonsai]

I just leave it on!

[@mattskin1991]

Thank you for the video! How often do you apply this pesticide ?

[@GrowingBonsai]

which pesticide? The garlic powder? Once at the start of the growing season

[@Montelbino]

Thanks for the great info but i have a few questions about the soap and alcohol mixture.1 is there a percentile of each ingredient in the mix or do you just eyeball it. 2 once you spray the trees how long do you leave the solution on there before it is rinsed off or do you not rinse and let it dry? 3 when doing this do you leave it in the normal spot in the sun or do you do this in the shaded area? Again thanks for all the information that you provide.

[@GrowingBonsai]

Hi, I just guestimate. A shot. Then I spray and leave it on. I typically spray at the end of the day when the sun is setting.

[@tacobonsai]

Thanks for the guide to aphids! I do the dish soap trick because I constant have pests. I’m going to have try the garlic trick too! As far as you know: is garlic powder safe for all trees?

[@GrowingBonsai]

I use it on all my trees :)

[@onizukateacher7992]

10-30ml Black liquid soap organique of course in 1 liter water . Thats it . Spray in shadow or at sun down .

[@GrowingBonsai]

Yup

[@backbudbonsai]

What ratio of soap and water and rubbing alcohol do you use to make your aphid spray?

[@NoQuarter01]

Do I need to rinse the soap/alcohol solution off the trees after? Or just leave it? Thanks Jelle!

[@GrowingBonsai]

I leave it on..

[@jackt4738]

Does it matter on age of plant I’ve got a few Japanese maples but they are all quite young so shall I only use a little bit of washing up liquid?

[@GrowingBonsai]

Age should not matter.

[@ignaciocisterna3081]

Thanks for the tips.
Can I do the same suffocation method against mealybugs? And do you have any trick to expel an ant nest from a pot? It's so annoying when it happen.

[@GrowingBonsai]

In principle, yes, mealy would work! Ants.. Often a result of aphids in the tree. I would normally either put the tree submerged in water for hours to get the ants to leave. Or repot :(

[@ignaciocisterna3081]

@@GrowingBonsai Thanks Jelle

[@SUPERhodri1]

Hey Jelle.
Interesting stuff about the garlic. We have ramsons (wild garlic plants) growing in abundance in the woodlands surrounding us in South Wales, and we have previously transplanted into the garden as an edible crop. I wonder if potting some up in a terracotta pot and nestling it amongst my bonsai trees would have a similar effect to the garlic granuals, as their smell is extremely pungent and lasts as long as the foliage is present (most of spring and summer).
Thoughts?

[@rebeccahunter725]

I would assume so. I have garlic growing in a rose garden for years, and those roses never have aphids, while the ones in a different bed do. I wonder if they would shrink enough to become an accent planting? Hmm, garlic chives might, this is good food for thought!

[@SUPERhodri1]

@@rebeccahunter725 I'm going to try it!

[@GrowingBonsai]

I would say, give it a try. It might be that the aphids ignore it. The ground up garlic -I think- also makes it into the sapflow.

[@brucedeacon28]

👍👌👌🙂

[@GrowingBonsai]

😍

[@Vaasth]

what is the purpose of the alcohol in the mixture?

[@GrowingBonsai]

Good question. I must say.. I have been always adding it, but never sure why. :)

[@mikecipriani7792]

I lost two Fukien tea trees in the last few weeks. I think I used to much soap.

[@tobywilson4876]

Yes I’ve done similar, I think the soap starves the roots of oxygen so I think if you do use soap and it goes into the soil, rinse it out thoroughly after 5 minutes or so

[@GrowingBonsai]

Hm.. That is interesting. I have not had any problems on any species. :(

[@jameswalker3416]

Would the garlic work for japanese Beetles?

[@GrowingBonsai]

I do not know what japanese beetles are.

[@jameswalker3416]

@Growing Bonsai by Jelle well thats a good thing then but there metallic green beetles that eat the leafs

[@abydosianchulac2]

"Why do I have a papaya on the table? Dandruff shampoo? And a broken incandescent bulb? What are these for, and how do they link to bonsai and growing plants in spring?
The answer is easy: they don't."

[@GrowingBonsai]

sure

[@abydosianchulac2]

@@GrowingBonsai Heh, sorry, the way you phrased that section sounded like a lead-up to a joke. Not the info, though, that's no joke.