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gxm · 06-09-2009, 09:31 PM

My second year Nugget hops have large numbers of aphids growing, especially on the youngest leaves. By large numbers, I mean some of the leaves look black from all the little aphids. I've been rubbing or spraying them off fairly regularly. Do I need to? Will they hurt the hops?

A nearby neighbor is also growing hops, and his plants seem largely aphid free.

Thanks!

**HoppyDaze** · 06-09-2009, 09:35 PM

Im having this same issue ...Im not sure what to do

carbon111 · 06-09-2009, 09:46 PM

Insecticidal soap works great for aphids and is safe for food crops.

Most nurserys and hardware stores carry it. Be sure to double-check the label, making certain the particular brand you get is food-safe.

EvilTOJ · 06-09-2009, 09:49 PM

Yes, aphids are a huge problem! They will destroy the plant and leave nothing left. The cheapest way to get rid of them is to spray the plants down with a high powered water hose. A pressure washer is *probably* overkill though. If that doesn't work, then carbon111's advice will work.

killerhertz · 06-09-2009, 10:05 PM

Water can knock them off, but it won't kill them or keep them away. I find they just keep on coming. If you see ants on plants with aphids, they're there to farm (their nectar) and protect the aphids in a symbiotic relationship.

Beware, I've used this organic insecticidal soap on my hops once and it left blotches on the leaves. I haven't tried it on my hops since. I use it for my herbs and other plants with success.

Indoor Pharm :: Pharm Solutions Inc.

kaiser423 · 06-09-2009, 10:16 PM

I've successfully ridden aphid infections with ladybugs.

Go down to your local greenhouse and they'll probably have packs of hundreds of ladybugs. Nature's way of dealing.

I would still try to keep the population down some with spraying, but eventually if you have ladybugs around you should hit an equilibrium that keeps the aphids to non-noticeable levels. Whenver I have aphids, I get some ladybugs so that I dno't have to keep killing 'em. It kinda restores the natural order...

carbon111 · 06-09-2009, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by killerhertz

Beware, I've used this organic insecticidal soap on my hops once and it left blotches on the leaves. I haven't tried it on my hops since. I use it for my herbs and other plants with success.

Indoor Pharm :: Pharm Solutions Inc.

Try a different insecticidal soap formulation, it shouldn't hurt your hops.
Here's a good article from Zymurgy that touches on this:

In the Back Yard: Article from Zymurgy® 1997 Special Issue

quickerNu · 06-09-2009, 11:38 PM

LADYBUGS!!!! They will do the trick- lots less work than soaps, less difficult than spraying. I am lazy.

**TXCrash** · 06-10-2009, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaiser423

I've successfully ridden aphid infections with ladybugs.

Go down to your local greenhouse and they'll probably have packs of hundreds of ladybugs. Nature's way of dealing.

I would still try to keep the population down some with spraying, but eventually if you have ladybugs around you should hit an equilibrium that keeps the aphids to non-noticeable levels. Whenver I have aphids, I get some ladybugs so that I dno't have to keep killing 'em. It kinda restores the natural order...

Quote:

Originally Posted by quickerNu

LADYBUGS!!!! They will do the trick- lots less work than soaps, less difficult than spraying. I am lazy.

+3

First year for hops but a couple years back I had BAD aphids. Oddly enough, they were all over my chives. Ladybugs had em gone within a week. Neem oil had failed.

It's kinda looking like I need to get another pack of ladybugs this year but last year they kept aphids and such in control with no intervention on my part.

Do note that if you want them to stick around you do NOT want to continue spraying - you'll poison or irritate them.

chrisbarnes5000 · 06-10-2009, 01:12 AM

I have four first year plants and I have aphids. My don't seem to be that bad but I had been warned and was on the lookout. I am using a combo of the soap spray and good old fashion pick and squish. It seems to be working, even the spiders I had when I first notice the aphids seem to have moved on.

Good luck with your plants.