Because of half term and the PDC last weekend, gardening activities have been a bit topsy-turvy over the part week. Finally, though, yesterday I managed to pot on the cauliflower seedlings, which have been doing so well on the window-that-works.
I could also have sworn that there is a tomato on the second indoor tomato plant, which started spontaneously from compost in the autumn. It seems to have disappeared – but I do hope this was more than just a product of wishful thinking.
On the other hand, I wish that the current round of aphids on the chilli plant was wishful thinking.
Last year, I tried a citrus spray to see if that would get rid of them. Well, not really. But then I got some neem oil and I couldn’t recommend anything more.
I had originally got the neem oil for the apple tree. So, when the time is right, I’ll be spraying that too. Right now, though, I need to decide if the chilli plant is worth keeping or if it is time to put it in the compost bin.
Growing out of chaos 
Awesome update thank you for sharing have a blessed day Helen
Same to you, Linda. Hope you’re not rained out like we are!
Nuking then from orbit works well for aphids. But then so does soap spray. I have tried both and can attest to their abilities. B-)
I still prefer finding some ladybugs or lacewings… But they are not out yet. *sigh*
Not in my house anyway 😉
The (neem) sprayer is all clogged up, so I’m going to have to buy a replacement, it seems. What is it about sprayers that makes them so dysfunctional?
Is the spray nozzle clogged?
Down here my sprayer gets lime deposits. I have to hold it under hot water for a while.
Yes, it might be lime deposits. I’ll try hot water and if the doesn’t work, some vinegar 🙂
Never tried vinegar… But I suppose it would work.. (Acid/alkali).
Good luck!
Managed without the vinegar. Just hot water and a toothpick. However, vinegar gets limescale out of the shower head etc 🙂
I just use harpic toilet cleaner, personally. B-)
I see!
My chillies are covered in aphids too – I find it quite therapeutic to brush them off with a (clean) paint brush over the kitchen sink – but then I find the strangest things therapeutic
Yes, I can see how it would be therapeutic to brush them off 🙂
Thanks for the tip on neem oil for aphids, I will try that too, at the moment I just have aphids on a flowering house plant. I have not put any seeds down yet for the simple reason that I will be away from home for a month March/April, so I will have to buy plants or start sowing when I return. 🙂
Yes, no point in starting what you can’t finish.
As for neem oil, I would recommend it, going on the success I have had with the chilli plants. It’s too early to say for the apple tree but I have other work to do in that regard as well 😉
Where are you going in March/April?
Going to Malta Helen, we rented a flat with a view onto the little fishing harbour in the south west of the island. At present reading up on the architecture (Moorish) and the history, it is very interesting.
I know almost nothing about Malta. I hope you will blog about it 🙂
Me neither, that is why I am looking up stuff, I hope to blog about it but not sure yet if I can take my laptop, might have to do with my mobile phone 🙂
Is it a smartphone? I blog from mine all the time now 🙂
It’s an android, Samsung, I can get wordpress on it all right have the app, so it should be possible, even only for pics and a little text.
I used to use WordPress on Android. For write posts it was fine 🙂
Great, one less decision to make so, I will try it out before I leave. Thanks for tip Helen, have a nice evening x
Thank you! Same to you, Agnes x
Neem oil is a star! I’m going to nail some scale with it this pm 😃
What is ‘scale’?
Google it Helen they are insects that suck sap from plants .. Nasty little critters
Fortunately, they don’t live round my parts!