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Oklahoma Gardening

Okay, last one... at least for a couple of hours

14 years ago

So, in my yard and garden there is this vine thing that just randomly pops out of the ground and, if something is nearby, it climbs it. Don't know what kind of vine it is but the aphids LOVE it.

There are several of these within a few feet of my raised beds, and one vining up the tree on which my upside down tomato is hanging.

The question is, should I leave them or get rid of them? Are the attracting aphids away from my garden or too close too it? I haven't seen any aphids on any of my veggies yet. My first inclination has been to get rid of it, but I thought I'd see what others think first.

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Comments (3)

mulberryknob
14 years ago
Being the curious type that likes to see what plants develop into, I would be inclined to leave it. Yes, we can see the aphids, but we also see that the ladybugs are there and they LOVE aphids. I'm thinking it may be one of the vining milkweeds, in which case it is host to Monarch butterflys. If you don't want so many next year, you could pinch off the seedpods.
ilene_in_neok
14 years ago
This looks like bindweed to me. Some people like it and leave it alone. When it blooms it's very fragrant. BUT, if it blooms then it makes seed, and before long you've got bindweed in everything. It has a very long root so you can't just dig it out of the ground, have to use Round-Up on it to kill the root.
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Okiedawn OK Zone 7
14 years ago
At first I was thinking it was common field bindweed, but my bindweed leaves don't have that prominent white veining on the leaves and they aren't really heart-shaped like the leaf in your photo. If it blooms, though, and it becomes apparent that it is bindweed, pull out every bit quickly before seeds form or you'll still be pulling it out 20 years from now. There are many, many forms of bindweed, though, and I am sure I haven't seen all of them.

I'm inclined to agree with Dorothy's belief that it may be one of the vining milkweeds. Look at the link below and see if it strongly resembles your plant. Even if your vine is not identical to the one in the link, it may be similar enough that it helps you identify yours as one of the vining milkweeds.

Since the ladybugs are there eating the aphids, they are a non-issue at this point. Lady bugs are great garden helpers and aphids are one of their favorite foods.

Here is a link that might be useful: Vining Milkweed

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