Pulling this item off another thread,what does everyone swear by to keep whitefly off the tomatoes in their greenhouses?
I don't spray or introduce predators but I have noticed that I haven't had any whitefly since I started to plant a row of basil in front of the toms a few years ago,for culinary purposes but if it's working it sure beats inedible marigolds.
Whitefly
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Jenny Green
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Well, I always plant tagetes in my greenhouse. I also don't put any bought-in plants in there. Some people think this is clearly ridiculous and that my gardening practices are actually encouraging whitefly. I must have a special line to the Almighty then as I haven't had whitefly in the six years I've had a greenhouse.
Now red spider mite is a whole other discussion!
Now red spider mite is a whole other discussion!
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oldherbaceous
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Dear Jenny, i had some real good quality whitefly in my greenhouse last year, just wondering if you would like some if i get them back this year? you would be more than welcome.
Just thought i would lighten things up a little.
Kind regards a generous Old Herbaceous.
Theres no fool like an old fool.
Just thought i would lighten things up a little.
Kind regards a generous Old Herbaceous.
Theres no fool like an old fool.
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Jenny Green
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Don't worry OH. Johnboy and I have been arguing for years now.
Thanks for your kind offer, but I wouldn't be happy depriving you of the joys of your whitefly.
Thanks for your kind offer, but I wouldn't be happy depriving you of the joys of your whitefly.
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Anonymous
Marigolds may be inedible, Carol, but we have been planting them in the pots with the tomatoes. It seems to do the trick. We have been whitefly free since we have been doing this. The argument for, is that they do look quite pretty. Shall bear in mind using basil. It does 'eat' so well with tomatoes.
I would totally agree with Jenny's comment to keep any bought plants out of the greenhouse until you have made sure they are pest/disease free. I have managed to get hold of some whitefly in the greenhouse by not following this basic, but common sense rule.
valmarg
I would totally agree with Jenny's comment to keep any bought plants out of the greenhouse until you have made sure they are pest/disease free. I have managed to get hold of some whitefly in the greenhouse by not following this basic, but common sense rule.
valmarg
Interesting re whitefly or not and why, Jenny. Points well made and very articulate too. It got me thinking, as we have never had whitefly in the greenhouse. We don't have any companion planting to dissuade them either. And always sow from seed. We get plenty of whitefly outside though and companion planting of French Marigold worked well to combat them last year.
Now having done some research on this, it appears you are on to something with your thoughts. For a start there are four main species of whitefly, which inhabit different host plants. They are outlined in the link at the end. The current thinking is that nursery-purchased plants as hosts for whitefly are a risk for the importing of whitefly into the greenhouse. Often plants from cuttings (as opposed to seed) and those imported from outside the UK. Host varieties include some of those sold as plug plants for hanging baskets and bedding plants (often from outside the UK). My impression is if you only grow vegetables and nothing else in the greenhouse, it is less of an issue. But how many of us have separate greenhouse for growing our ornamental plants?
Some common quotes found:
'Glasshouse whitefly can also be a pest of protected stock, including lavatera, ceanothus, philadelphus, cestrum, hardy fuschia, solanum, clematis and passiflora.'
'Host plants of glasshouse and tobacco whiteflies include economically important plants such as poinsettia, fuchsia, abutilon, Regal pelargonium, gerbera, hibiscus, verbena, lantana and begonia.'
'Prevent Whitefly from entering the growing area-when new plants have been purchased, isolate them for at least one month to allow you to monitor the newcomers for development of pest.'
'Plants raised from seed are less likely to be infested by whitefly than cuttings.'
'Stock plants too are a major source of infestation. Large numbers of stock plants are difficult to monitor and keep free from whitefly. The large amount of foliage on stock plants means that good coverage is difficult to achieve when applying insecticides particularly to the undersides of leaves which is where whitefly mainly occur. Partial control may lead to infested cuttings being produced, thus perpetuating the problem. '
To put these into context, do read this DEFRA link http://www.defra.gov.uk/planth/pestnote/whitefly.pdf
OH informs me that years ago when he was commercially growing both ornamentals and vegetables, whitefly hosts from nursery plants were not an issue for importation into greenhouses. He wonders if this change is due to the EU regulations regarding banning of certain pesticides(?)
Now having done some research on this, it appears you are on to something with your thoughts. For a start there are four main species of whitefly, which inhabit different host plants. They are outlined in the link at the end. The current thinking is that nursery-purchased plants as hosts for whitefly are a risk for the importing of whitefly into the greenhouse. Often plants from cuttings (as opposed to seed) and those imported from outside the UK. Host varieties include some of those sold as plug plants for hanging baskets and bedding plants (often from outside the UK). My impression is if you only grow vegetables and nothing else in the greenhouse, it is less of an issue. But how many of us have separate greenhouse for growing our ornamental plants?
Some common quotes found:
'Glasshouse whitefly can also be a pest of protected stock, including lavatera, ceanothus, philadelphus, cestrum, hardy fuschia, solanum, clematis and passiflora.'
'Host plants of glasshouse and tobacco whiteflies include economically important plants such as poinsettia, fuchsia, abutilon, Regal pelargonium, gerbera, hibiscus, verbena, lantana and begonia.'
'Prevent Whitefly from entering the growing area-when new plants have been purchased, isolate them for at least one month to allow you to monitor the newcomers for development of pest.'
'Plants raised from seed are less likely to be infested by whitefly than cuttings.'
'Stock plants too are a major source of infestation. Large numbers of stock plants are difficult to monitor and keep free from whitefly. The large amount of foliage on stock plants means that good coverage is difficult to achieve when applying insecticides particularly to the undersides of leaves which is where whitefly mainly occur. Partial control may lead to infested cuttings being produced, thus perpetuating the problem. '
To put these into context, do read this DEFRA link http://www.defra.gov.uk/planth/pestnote/whitefly.pdf
OH informs me that years ago when he was commercially growing both ornamentals and vegetables, whitefly hosts from nursery plants were not an issue for importation into greenhouses. He wonders if this change is due to the EU regulations regarding banning of certain pesticides(?)
The cow is of the bovine ilk
One end is moo, the other, milk.
One end is moo, the other, milk.