Last year I planted cowpeas and was stunned at the amount and how quickly the aphids appeared. So I tried an experiment and let them go to see if the ladybugs would find them. And lo and behold they did. I had ladybugs and their larvae thru the waszu. Wipes out the aphids
I love that you let them be and that you let your observations inform your choices! We, gardeners, are so quick to try to "fix" things. And often, nature will course correct the issue.
My cowpeas attract so many different bugs. Aphids, wasps, bees, yellowjackets, love bugs, lady bugs, ants. Everybody gets along well, other then the lady bugs devouring the aphids.
The type of aphids I always get on my milkweed is the Oleander Aphid and vegetable plants aren’t among their host plants but I’ve seen Ladybugs appearing to feed on the oleander aphids so I’m hopeful they will also start going after the green aphids that feed on my vegetable plants. Happy gardening! ❤
That’s make sense. I know there are tons of different types of aphids and similar to our butterflies they prefer different types of plants. I will tell you the consistent predators is the powerhouse of this plant. Is your milkweed near your veggies?
@@WildFloridian I keep the milkweed across the yard a pretty good distance from the vegetables in case I need to use BT on the vegetables, I don’t want any overspray to get on my milkweed. I try not to use BT often anyway but can’t be too careful when it comes to the Monarch caterpillars lol
I've never seen aphids in my veggie garden, lol--but have milkweed in several places, so maybe it's the zone--I'm up north in zone 7, much more dry. I just try to spray this every couple of weeks to keep harmful bugs out--it works if I'm consistent To a quart sprayer (in line hose sprayer): 1 Tbs powdered garlic 1/4 c liquid dishwashing soap 1 Tbs hot sauce (like Tabasco-cheap versions are great) spray every two weeks
100% TRUE. My milkweeds are right next to my vegetables - I mean like touching sometimes. Covered in aphids and not a single aphid on my vegetables. And YES on attracting predators. Like magic. And the beautiful monarchs always flitting around are magical.
I'm David's wife and new here. And I Love listening to you. You're fun, full of Pow and you really know what's up. Thanks! I have a big butterfly garden near Minneola ❤
I was very lucky with buying ladybugs. I bought them two years in a row when the Oleander aphids decimated my milkweed. The lady beetles have stayed around my property somewhere and arrive when needed the most. Especially when I grow fennel for the swallowtail caterpillars. The little tiny green aphids can kill my fennel if they're not kept in check. I've noticed however the Oleander aphids are not the most favorite meal for the ladybugs' larva. I've put several larva on my Oleander aphids and they will leave. If you do get aphids you can spray a soap solution on the aphids but NOT on a host plant like milkweed or fennel! Any other crop is fine to spray, just do a test spray and wait a few days to make sure that there is no plant damage from the soapy water spray. Or you could just squish them. 😳😳😳😳 You are correct that Oleander aphids only get on any type of milkweed.
Wow, because for years I've had milkweed for monarch garden teaching projects. I remember seeing all the bugs. I will get back to this Asap!!! Thanks for sharing
I feel so silly. The only place I have aphids is on milkweeds and Hoyas. I didn't know they are supposed to be there, or better there than anywhere else! Tks!!!
I have noticed a ton of lady bugs on my sweet Acacia. Just an observation on a native plant that brings in predatory insects. I also saw an article about using crepe myrtle as a trap plant. They have a specific aphid that doesn’t jump to other plants.
Crape myrtle aphid is currently the No. 1 pest and feed on leaves while excreting a sugary substance called honeydew. Honeydew serves as a food for the fungus sooty mold, which creates a black residue on both leaves and branches. Aphids can be controlled with insecticidal soaps but some nurseries actually plant crapes to attract beneficial insects and wouldn't dream of spraying to control the aphids. Left untreated, aphids on these trees will build up a population of beneficial insects like lady beetles, green and brown lacewings, predatory plant bugs, assassin beetles and others. Crape myrtle varieties that tend to be more susceptible to aphids and hence attract beneficial insects include Apalachee, Comanche, Biloxi, Tuscarora, Tonto, Cherry Dazzle, Raspberry Dazzle and Comanche. If the goal is to attract pollinating insects, consider planting Acoma, Osage, Miami, Apalachee, or Natchez. - Florida Times Union article
This is my first year of aphid problems...same with hornworms. I have milkweed growing throughout my garden and don't see the aphid on the milkweed but do on other plants. Would love to see how you deal with white flies since that seems to be my biggest enemy in my garden in 10a (I'm about one mile from the beach). I get the little white eggs on undersides of leaves and what I think is a white fly with crunchy shells on undersides of my Zapota and Jackfruit trees...
Great video! Thanks so much! I have 3 Questions:. What is the plant with the red flowers at 3:07 (over YOUR left shoulder)? Where in Florida can I find milkweed seeds? I think I might have the tropical milkweed. And 3rd, did I miss the video on how to identify tropical milkweed? Thank you!!!!
Thank you! Answer 1: Most likely Cleodendrum Glorybower. Answer 2: You can get native butterflyweed seeds from Florida Wildflower Cooperative. www.floridawildflowers.com/ Answer 3: The video showing how to identify tropical milkweed vs butterflyweed vs swamp milkweed hasn't come out yet. I'm still working on it. The video discussing the challenges of tropical milkweed is out. ua-cam.com/video/x-q77nxwIT0/v-deo.html
**PLEASE DO NOT GROW TROPICAL MILKWEED IF YOU LIVE IN A SOUTHERN STATE SUCH AS FLORIDA!** It has a bacteria that will cause deformations in the new Monarchs wings, which leads to death. In the northern states, the bacteria dies when there is a frost over the winter, so it is safe there, but the bacteria persists and is a major threat to the butterflies in the south. Very important to help the Monarchs!
i actually go around my yard and catch ALL lizards and put them in my garden area . TRUE STORY lol I've had not one pest in my garden at all. they're doing an amazing job. i'm in the Treasure Coast area 😎
**PLEASE DO NOT GROW TROPICAL MILKWEED IF YOU LIVE IN A SOUTHERN STATE SUCH AS FLORIDA!** It has a bacteria that will cause deformations in the new Monarchs wings, which leads to death. In the northern states, the bacteria dies when there is a frost over the winter, so it is safe there, but the bacteria persists and is a major threat to the butterflies in the south. Please add a note in the video about this when mentioning the tropical milkweed at 1:22. Very important to help the Monarchs! Otherwise, interesting video.
Thanks! I stopped growing tropical milkweed years ago. And yes I have done a video about Tropical Milkweed The TROUBLE with Tropical Milkweed ua-cam.com/video/x-q77nxwIT0/v-deo.html
Ty very much. I struggle to understand unfamiliar words. Now I can look it up and see if my favorite nursery has it (Scrubland Farmz Nursery in FT McCoy)
Not for years. But I did about three to four years ago before I learned about native plants and the issues with Tropical Milkweed. Then I transitioned it out.
Last year I planted cowpeas and was stunned at the amount and how quickly the aphids appeared. So I tried an experiment and let them go to see if the ladybugs would find them. And lo and behold they did. I had ladybugs and their larvae thru the waszu. Wipes out the aphids
I love that you let them be and that you let your observations inform your choices! We, gardeners, are so quick to try to "fix" things. And often, nature will course correct the issue.
My cowpeas attract so many different bugs. Aphids, wasps, bees, yellowjackets, love bugs, lady bugs, ants. Everybody gets along well, other then the lady bugs devouring the aphids.
The type of aphids I always get on my milkweed is the Oleander Aphid and vegetable plants aren’t among their host plants but I’ve seen Ladybugs appearing to feed on the oleander aphids so I’m hopeful they will also start going after the green aphids that feed on my vegetable plants. Happy gardening! ❤
That’s make sense. I know there are tons of different types of aphids and similar to our butterflies they prefer different types of plants. I will tell you the consistent predators is the powerhouse of this plant. Is your milkweed near your veggies?
@@WildFloridian I keep the milkweed across the yard a pretty good distance from the vegetables in case I need to use BT on the vegetables, I don’t want any overspray to get on my milkweed. I try not to use BT often anyway but can’t be too careful when it comes to the Monarch caterpillars lol
I've never seen aphids in my veggie garden, lol--but have milkweed in several places, so maybe it's the zone--I'm up north in zone 7, much more dry. I just try to spray this every couple of weeks to keep harmful bugs out--it works if I'm consistent
To a quart sprayer (in line hose sprayer):
1 Tbs powdered garlic
1/4 c liquid dishwashing soap
1 Tbs hot sauce (like Tabasco-cheap versions are great)
spray every two weeks
100% TRUE. My milkweeds are right next to my vegetables - I mean like touching sometimes. Covered in aphids and not a single aphid on my vegetables. And YES on attracting predators. Like magic. And the beautiful monarchs always flitting around are magical.
I'm glad you've seen this work too!
I'm David's wife and new here. And I Love listening to you. You're fun, full of Pow and you really know what's up. Thanks! I have a big butterfly garden near Minneola ❤
I was very lucky with buying ladybugs. I bought them two years in a row when the Oleander aphids decimated my milkweed. The lady beetles have stayed around my property somewhere and arrive when needed the most. Especially when I grow fennel for the swallowtail caterpillars. The little tiny green aphids can kill my fennel if they're not kept in check.
I've noticed however the Oleander aphids are not the most favorite meal for the ladybugs' larva. I've put several larva on my Oleander aphids and they will leave.
If you do get aphids you can spray a soap solution on the aphids but NOT on a host plant like milkweed or fennel! Any other crop is fine to spray, just do a test spray and wait a few days to make sure that there is no plant damage from the soapy water spray. Or you could just squish them. 😳😳😳😳
You are correct that Oleander aphids only get on any type of milkweed.
Love it Shirley! So many great tips! 😄
Wow, because for years I've had milkweed for monarch garden teaching projects. I remember seeing all the bugs. I will get back to this Asap!!! Thanks for sharing
I love that you were teaching about monarchs! Let me know how it works for you 😄
Great catch on the caterpillars chewing on the stem!
Thank you!
Beautiful plants and are growing fruits looks so 👍👍👍👍👍. Landscape are good looking. We liked your video.
I have a bunch of nasturtiums in the shade spots in Seminole county. I love the smell
OoOo 😄 I didn’t know they smell!
@@WildFloridian they do. And the hummingbirds love them. My niece told me they are also medicinal when she took some of mine too. Not sure what for
I'm in Seminole County, as well. Can we grow nasturtiums in full sun? And do they stay alive year-round?
Good video! Milkweed can be used to propagate aphids and beneficial predators to keep them off the the crops you eat.
Yes 🙌
I have native milkweed growing three feet away from my tomatoes
I feel so silly. The only place I have aphids is on milkweeds and Hoyas. I didn't know they are supposed to be there, or better there than anywhere else! Tks!!!
I have noticed a ton of lady bugs on my sweet Acacia. Just an observation on a native plant that brings in predatory insects. I also saw an article about using crepe myrtle as a trap plant. They have a specific aphid that doesn’t jump to other plants.
Nice! I had never heard that about crepe myrtles. Super cool!
Crape myrtle aphid is currently the No. 1 pest and feed on leaves while excreting a sugary substance called honeydew. Honeydew serves as a food for the fungus sooty mold, which creates a black residue on both leaves and branches. Aphids can be controlled with insecticidal soaps but some nurseries actually plant crapes to attract beneficial insects and wouldn't dream of spraying to control the aphids. Left untreated, aphids on these trees will build up a population of beneficial insects like lady beetles, green and brown lacewings, predatory plant bugs, assassin beetles and others. Crape myrtle varieties that tend to be more susceptible to aphids and hence attract beneficial insects include Apalachee, Comanche, Biloxi, Tuscarora, Tonto, Cherry Dazzle, Raspberry Dazzle and Comanche. If the goal is to attract pollinating insects, consider planting Acoma, Osage, Miami, Apalachee, or Natchez. - Florida Times Union article
Mandevillas also attract alphids and butterflies in abundance, as I’ve quickly learned .
This is my first year of aphid problems...same with hornworms. I have milkweed growing throughout my garden and don't see the aphid on the milkweed but do on other plants. Would love to see how you deal with white flies since that seems to be my biggest enemy in my garden in 10a (I'm about one mile from the beach). I get the little white eggs on undersides of leaves and what I think is a white fly with crunchy shells on undersides of my Zapota and Jackfruit trees...
Brilliant!! Thank you!!
You’re welcome ☺️
Wow thank you 😊
You’re welcome ☺️
Any suggestions on fighting fungus?
If the aphids get too bad I just spray them off with a strong jet stream from the hose.
Love it! Keep it simple 😄
Where can we buy various milkweed in 10a? Do you recommend starting w any particular type?
Great video! Thanks so much! I have 3 Questions:. What is the plant with the red flowers at 3:07 (over YOUR left shoulder)?
Where in Florida can I find milkweed seeds? I think I might have the tropical milkweed.
And 3rd, did I miss the video on how to identify tropical milkweed?
Thank you!!!!
Thank you! Answer 1: Most likely Cleodendrum Glorybower. Answer 2: You can get native butterflyweed seeds from Florida Wildflower Cooperative. www.floridawildflowers.com/ Answer 3: The video showing how to identify tropical milkweed vs butterflyweed vs swamp milkweed hasn't come out yet. I'm still working on it. The video discussing the challenges of tropical milkweed is out. ua-cam.com/video/x-q77nxwIT0/v-deo.html
@@WildFloridian Awesome! Thanks for the great info!
**PLEASE DO NOT GROW TROPICAL MILKWEED IF YOU LIVE IN A SOUTHERN STATE SUCH AS FLORIDA!** It has a bacteria that will cause deformations in the new Monarchs wings, which leads to death. In the northern states, the bacteria dies when there is a frost over the winter, so it is safe there, but the bacteria persists and is a major threat to the butterflies in the south. Very important to help the Monarchs!
i actually go around my yard and catch ALL lizards and put them in my garden area . TRUE STORY lol I've had not one pest in my garden at all. they're doing an amazing job. i'm in the Treasure Coast area 😎
That is awesome! 🙌👩🌾
**PLEASE DO NOT GROW TROPICAL MILKWEED IF YOU LIVE IN A SOUTHERN STATE SUCH AS FLORIDA!** It has a bacteria that will cause deformations in the new Monarchs wings, which leads to death. In the northern states, the bacteria dies when there is a frost over the winter, so it is safe there, but the bacteria persists and is a major threat to the butterflies in the south. Please add a note in the video about this when mentioning the tropical milkweed at 1:22. Very important to help the Monarchs! Otherwise, interesting video.
Thanks! I stopped growing tropical milkweed years ago. And yes I have done a video about Tropical Milkweed
The TROUBLE with Tropical Milkweed
ua-cam.com/video/x-q77nxwIT0/v-deo.html
I am hearing impaired and struggle to hear unfamiliar plant names. I humbly request a spelling of this plant that sounds like “ a sternum” To me.
Nasturtium
Thank you Janelle! Nasturtium
Ty very much. I struggle to understand unfamiliar words. Now I can look it up and see if my favorite nursery has it (Scrubland Farmz Nursery in FT McCoy)
last year there was aphid on my plant but i saw a black wasp laying egg on the aphid
i now no what was that black wasp
Dang so you are using tropical milkweed? 🤨
Not for years. But I did about three to four years ago before I learned about native plants and the issues with Tropical Milkweed. Then I transitioned it out.
parisitic wasp on my plant
All the wasps eat all the monarch babies and it’s killing my heart.
So much to learn 🤦🏼♀️
crzy