Treating aphids on African violets?

3 months ago

I saw little white things on the leaves. I have terrible vision, I couldn’t see there was something on these buds until I took a photo with my phone, uploaded it to my computer, and saw – aha! Aphids on the buds!

I use Neem oil on most bugs, but I’ve never treated anything with hairy leaves. Is Neem oil safe for African violets? If not, what should I use?

Thanks.

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Comments (5)

party_music50
3 months ago
Wow, I’ve never seen aphids go for an AV. I would squish them with my fingers, then use barely tepid water (spray or stream) to knock them off the plant.
linnea56 (zone 5b Chicago) thanked party_music50
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
3 months ago
linnea, nice image of the aphids! If you follow party’s excellent advice repeatedly, you will easily nip the problem in the bud. (haha….see what I did there?) I wouldn’t use neem on AVs, but the warm water should be fine.

If you aren’t into squishing with your fingers, try wiping them off with a cotton swab.
linnea56 (zone 5b Chicago) thanked rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
3 months ago
whatever you put on a bud.. other than water... will most likely destroy the tender flower tissue ... meaning.. you will lose this cycle of flowering ...

back when i was a collector of AV.. i used a systemic granular insecticide in the pot... since this was 40ish years ago.. i have no idea why such was needed.. as noted.. AV really arent a pest plant ..

maybe i had other plants on the light stand.. and when you treat.. you treat everything ...

read the labels.. and use accordingly ...

yeah rhiz.. i saw what you did there.. even before you pointed it out ... but i cant come p quick with a second one.. im sure ill be tooling down the road to the market when one strikes me ...

ken
linnea56 (zone 5b Chicago) thanked ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
intwilight z6a KS
3 months ago
Others have already answered, but you got a good photo of the critters!
linnea56 (zone 5b Chicago) thanked intwilight z6a KS
rusty_blackhaw
3 months ago
I've used Neem oil safely on AVs. Tepid water could be used to wash them off the leaves. I'd avoid using a systemic insecticide in the home.

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Treating aphids on African violets?

Comments (5)

party_music50

rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7

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