A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion Plant pests and problems Help for my nasturtium

I recently bought 2 huge nasturtium baskets at a local farmer's market. One is flourishing and the other has suddenly developed an infestation of teeny black bugs, especially on one side. It is beginning to pale and wilt. :mad:

Can someone help, please???!!! Are they squash bugs? But I heard that squash bugs are repelled by nasturtium. . . Please tell me I don't have to destroy this beautiful plant in order to save the rest of my garden.

Thanks very much in advance. All suggestions will be appreciated. Karen in CT

Probably aphids, they are prone to getting them. Try spraying the leaves with a soapy water. You can buy a spray bottle of it at Walmart or any garden type shop or make your own. Do it in the morning, not in the hot midday sun.

Aphids are usually green or dark red. You plant nasturtiums near your veggie garden to attract the aphids away from your food crop. If they're very black maybe flea beetles? I just had them on my tomatoes. The oapy water is worth a try.

Thanks Melcon6 & Wrennie -- Bad news: my other huge nasturtium pot is also being feasted upon now too. However, I am crossing fingers. Sprayed soapy aphid stuff this A.M. at your suggestion. Also swore at the little buggers fiercely. I'm hoping they will perish from my rudeness or at least go elsewhere, far away. Thx!

Most aphids are black or brown, but they can also be green, red, grey, orange, yellow and even pink. There are 250 species of aphids. Some have wings, some don't. They may or may not do too much damage to the plant they are feasting on, but they can spread viruses and plant diseases from plant to plant.

How is your nasturium doing, kjr?

Wellllll, the nasturtiums are struggling, but not dead yet. Besides the bugs, we had a heat wave, too, so between the heat, the soap, the swearing, the other spray I tried and the wild clipping I did, it's amazing there's anything left of them at all. Both plants are pale, droopy and have lots of dead spots, yet both are still flowering profusely in many places. We'll see what happens in the next few days. Thanks for checking. I'm crossing fingers and will post an update in a few days. Have a great weekend!