A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion Plant pests and problems Aphids

I have a beautiful indoor Gardenia plant that is about to bloom. But I discovered aphids about a month ago. I did treat it with a solution of Murphey's Oil, Baking soda and water. But they keep coming back and my plant is covered. I am now spraying every 3-4 days. It is hard for me to tell if the aphids are alive or not now.

Should I just keep on doing what I'm doing and anyone know for how long? Is there a way to clean off the dead aphids--maybe with a spray bottle of water? What would you suggest?

Hi, Inky. I'm not sure where you are or what temps you have outside. But you can take your plant out and give it a very good shower with a moderately heavy spray. Protect your soil with plastic wrap as much as possible. Lay your plant on its side and spray top and bottom of all of the leaves. As well as the branches and twigs. Let it dry out in the air a while and get a fresh breath before bringing it back indoors. Or if you have a suitable place for it you can let it summer outside.
Now if you live in an apartment without access to an outside water source, you can try something similar in your own shower too.
And if all of that is not possible you can wash those little things off using a soft cloth whether they are living or dead.
I have never heard of the Murphey's mix. I use just a few drops of dish detergent and water for spraying aphids.
Please let us know the results.

I use jonni's method, too-- hosing and spraying with water+dish soap. And I know this sounds gross, but you can smush 'em with your fingers, and then hose the plant off.

Thanks for the ideas--It is not even 60 degrees out so I'm a little reluctant to take my plant outside, maybe this afternoon since it is sunny, it won't be so bad on the plant. Even if I lose this years buds, I don't mind, I just want to save the poor plant. I really like that idea of washing these nasty pests off.

I got this recipe using Murphy's Oil Soap from a gardeners book. but I like the idea of just using dish soap--didn't know I could do that :)

I checked my plant again this morning and found some LIVE aphids--and my plant is covered with those nasty critters!! So along about 3 this afternoon, I'm going to take my plant outside and spray them off.

Wow--thanks SO much for the good ideas!!

Good luck!

Well, I did the spray job you talked about jonni13--thanks again for the idea. It took me a good 30 minutes or more to clean the aphids off my gardenia plant. Now that I've got them cleaned off, I made a water/soap spray solution and on Sunday I will spray it down good.

Unfortunately I had to put it back in the sunroom where it was. So this means there are probably aphids all over in there. Disgusting...

I must have about 35 buds, some large, some smaller on my plant. I don't know what will happen now that I've given it a good spraying off but it sure looks better. I live in Washington State on the East side which is warmer and dryer than the west side. The aphids like the cooler weather and we've had a cooler spring than normal. Hopefully it will start getting hot and I can put my plant outside in the sunshine.

Oh and Marica--I took your advice too..lol. I did smash as many of those aphids I could with my bare hands while I was washing the plant down.

Wish me good luck!