THRIPS OR APHIDS …?

From: Angela
Sent: Sunday, May 26, 2013 4:18 PM
To: info@rosesalesonline.com.au
Subject: RE: Roses have thrip..

Hi Diana,

I hope that you can help me with the following. I bought roses from you awhile ago. However, I have just been told that my roses have developed – ‘thrip’. How do I get rid of it?
Would the liquid seaweed (I bought this from you) get rid of thrip or do I need to use something else?

Looking forward to your response on the above real soon.

Regards,
Angela

MY RESPONSE
Hello Angela … the only way the roses can have ‘thrip’ is they come in on hot winds from the north … since we haven’t had that, I suspect that whoever told you that you have thrip does not quite know what thrip are … it can be very confusing and lots of people call ‘aphids’ … ‘thrip’ … aphids are little sucking insects – usually green or light brown. Then there are ‘mites’ which are on the underside of the foliage although the insect might be difficult to see without a magnifying glass, you can usually identify the mites by the webbing they produce.

So, to analyse what insect it is that you have on your roses, check the underside of the leaves … any webbing? No! Good, we know that you don’t have mite!

It is almost impossible that you would have thrip at this time of the year … it is also a very small insect and very visible on pale blooms … tiny little devils which are always moving and when you pull the rose bloom apart, especially if you do it on a white plate, you’ll see the thrip very easily. When I was a young Mum, I would proudly hang my lovely white cloth nappies on the washing line and sometimes after strong hot northerly winds, the nappies would look dirty because they had thrip on them! That’s how I know to open the flower on a white plate for identification … can’t imagine you have cloth nappies hanging on your washing line??? giggle!!!

Then next area to check – are there small green/brown insects at the buds? Bingo, you have ‘aphids’ and NO, the liquid seaweed will not do anything to them … it will make your rose feel and look great which is probably what the aphids are thinking too!

Aphids can be a nuisance, not only on roses but on a host of other plants and vegetables as well – we use and recommend Eco-oil rose maintenance program because it is very friendly to all the other beneficial insects which are in your garden! If you only have a few plants, the watering can method is easy – to a 9-10 litre watering can, add 1/4 cup Eco-oil and pour over the plants, preferably in the morning. Do this a couple of times at 3-5 day intervals and you will have upset the breeding program of the adult aphids to adequately keep the insects at bay. Monthly application of the rose maintenance program with the added Eco-Rose fungicide and liquid seaweed are highly recommended for ongoing health of your roses. Using a spray unit is more economical!

Hope this is helpful and please let me know what insect it is you have! If it isn’t one of the above, back to the drawing board! Talk soon … cheers …

Diana Sargeant

SILKIES ROSE FARM & ROSESALESONLINE

550 CNR. SPUR & MCDONALD’S ROADS

CLONBINANE, VIC. 3658

PH: 03 5787 1123

MOBILE: 0418 337765

OPEN: FRI, SAT, SUN, MON 9-4.30

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