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Posted on 7:00 PM by Wanto and filed under
By John Wellington

If aphids are not actually seen on plants the first sign of attack will be twisted, warped and discoloured leaves and shoots, particularly at the growing tips, soft and succulent.

If mottled and twisted shoots are seen, examine them closely and if greenfly are seen look also at neighbouring plants first to make quite sure that the infestation has not already spread to them.

Any of the proprietary insecticides used against aphids in the garden will quickly clear them from the plants in your home, but as some of these are highly poisonous it is unwise to spray the plants while still in position in the room. Far better to remove them to the terrace or to a shed and spray them there. Some sprays are safe enough to use indoors but these do not include the systemic insecticides which should always be applied in the open, taking care even there that none of the spray blows on to the bare skin, in which case it should be washed away immediately with soap and warm water.

A weakly plant can quickly become the host in summer to greenfly which has flown in through the window or has been brought into the house on a bunch of garden flowers. Regular inspection of the plants will reveal their presence and they can then be cleared at once before they either do any harm or before they multiply and spread to other plants. The prevalent sin of overwatering can lead to fungal attack, and if watering is done carefully and wisely it is most unlikely that our plants will suffer in this way.

This gives a guarantee of safety for this period. But as I have said, these systemics are too dangerous to be used indoors, particularly if children or pets are about. Use them out of doors and allow the plant to dry out completely after its spray before bringing it back into the home again.

Some systemics can be bought in handy aerosol packs which give a very fine spray. Make sure that every part of the plant receives some of the chemical, the undersides of leaves, leaf joints and every other little nook and cranny. Aerosol sprays are ready mixed. If you mix your own and use a garden spray always follow the directions exactly. Never add a little more of the chemical for luck as this can harm your plant.

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