cherry and black fly?

[Malk]

One of my Stella cherry trees has got what looks like black aphids all over the new shoots. Is this black fly?

I've cut off all the badly infected leaves and shoots as some were turning black with what looked like a fungal infection. But there are still some of the little blighters about. Is there a natural deterrent like boiled rhubarb leaves that someone could recommend or do I need to get the chemicals out? Will this affect the cherries?

I need to keep it from spreading to another nearby cherry.

[alan refail]

Hi Malk

Does nobody but us grow (or try to) grow cherries? You were the only one to reply to my plea for help on cherries, so I'm returning the favour. But not with good news. I now know about BCA (black cherry aphid) - sounds bad, so I hope you can get rid of it, if it's what you've got.

http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles05 ... ackfly.asp

and try googling myzus cerasi

Hope we both get some cherries this year.

Alan

[Malk]

That isn't good news. I'll have to remember to spray in December and hope that it doesn't pass on to the bigger tree. The cherries don't seem affected, but they may drop off later.

Maybe we are the only ones.

I got a reduced crop last year because of birds, so I netted the big tree this year and left the small one. Now I may lose the crop to aphids. The joys of growing.

[Beryl]

I grow cherries and do sometimes suffer with the black cherry aphids but find if you pinch out the new tips preferably before an attack it will help to control it. Bit like Broad beans really. do it before it becomes a nuisance.
I'm having to do the same with the apples this year they have greenfly.

Also if you have ants. - Get rid of the ants, they will farm the aphids.

Beryl.

[Malk]

Thanks, both of you (sorry Alan will try harder). Pinching off after the attack and spraying seems to have helped, but I will spray them in the winter as well.

[Losos]

Does nobody but us grow (or try to) grow cherries?
Hope we both get some cherries this year.

Alan

Sorry I missed your thread - Here in Czechland Cherries are grown extensively, we planted two new ones two years ago. I can't say I'm in any way an expert but happy to 'exchange notes' if that's any help. Many thanks for that link also.

BTW I have noticed blackfly on the young shoots and must get out and zap them today.