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Old 11-01-2006, 02:56 PM posted to uk.rec.gardening
La Puce
 
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Default flowers to attract lacewings and ladybirds


Gardening_Convert wrote:

I want to attract friendly insect into shady part as I get whitefly and
blackfly even in the shady part.
I think the blackfly have been responsible for the damage I have to a
clematis which is in semi shade.


Well, I only know companion planting for vegs which all need sun and
the problem you have with the clematis won't stop by planting flowers
to attract insects.

Many put garlic around their roses for the white flies. Why don't you
try it on your clematis and see what happens to your black flies. I
imagine your problem was last year and perhaps this year will be better
!?! There's also natural sprays, which I use a lot, in 20cl of water
put a few drops of washing up liquid and spray your clematis. Then
there the rhubarb leaves boiled for one hour then filter the water and
use as a spray BUT be carreful with this one as it is poisonous and
should only be for flowers not vegetables or herbs you eat. Finally the
garlic one, 2 gloves finely chopped in boiling water and then put in
your spray, this one is very good for rust as well - I have used it on
bellis perennis and it worked.

Be patient, cut out the bits of clematis which are really badly
infected and burn. The flies come and go and grab onto the highest
branches and then decend and settle. Keeping a close eye on things,
just like slug hunting, gets you in control eventually, the organic way
)