Help - whitefly on me lupins

[rosyposy]

One large plant with flowers is absolutely infested with the horrible things, I have picked off and squashed hundreds of them and sprayed the plant but it is starting to droop now. I have two other clumps in the garden which are o.k. (at the moment) so should I dig the infected one out and destroy it, hate to do it tho', but will probably have to, I look forward to advice -rosy

[ladybirder]

I gave up on lupins because of the same problem. Soz.

[Hawkwalk]

you could spray them with an insecticide or use diluted washing up liquid if you want to be more "green".

[rosyposy]

Thank you both for replying, will try the w.u.liquid Hawkwalk, but I think it is too badly infected really.- rosy

[Hawkwalk]

you can always cut it down and it will re-shoot again. It probably wont flower this year but will be ok for next year without needing to dig it up and chuck it away.

[nungate]

I took out a buddleia last year as it was covered in little black beasties for the second year, I'd cut it back hard the summer the year before. Might be a good idea to cut back the lupins and dispose of the cuttings carefully, and keep a close eye on your other plants

[rosyposy]

Oh right, thank you Hawkwalk and nungate, that is a much better idea, (why didn't I think of it - duh!) will do that today - rosy :0)

[Tilly2]

My lupins were infested with greenfly earlier this year. I used diluted washing up liquid in a spray bottle. They are fine at the moment.

[rosyposy]

Thank you too Tilly, but they are so bad I think it is too late so I will cut them back, worth a try - rosy

[Robinia]

It's lupin aphid and they're devils to get rid of, you need some strong pesticides to kill them. Anything organic doesn't seem to touch them...and with soapy water they'll all stand scrubbing each other's backs :o)
I gave up, I don't like heavy duty chemicals... a shame because I love lupins.

[rosyposy]

Thanks for that, Robina, I have cut it right down now,but I noticed the pesky things are in the Centranthus, which is at the other side of the garden, they are usually tough as old boots so I took off what I could see and hope it will be o.k (In addition I also found a couple of lily beetles in two pots-not my day is it?) :0( -rosy

[Tilly2]

I find that that's what gardenings all about rosy. A constant battle with nature.

[rosyposy]

Certainly is Tilly, but oh, the joy when it goes right :0) -rosy

[askyourgran]

My usual standby is the diluted washing liquid but the critters seem to be immune to it lately, I too have a battle with lily beetles on the lilies in a large pot, but they have ignored the ones planted in the garden. It's the first time I've seen the lily beetle, now I've killed about a dozen or so. There seems to be more garden pests about this year, including snails. Sorry can't suggest anything for them.

[rowanwitch]

lupin whitefly ...affects other members of the pea family too... they live in the hollow stems over the winter... give up on them for a few years till they have all gone and try again with fresh stock tree lupins are not so badly affected though if you are desperate to have lupin flowers

[rosyposy]

Thank you for your replies. Good luck in your battle with your lilies AYG. I will probably dig out the roots of the lupin I cut down, rowanwitch, and as you say leave it for a while. The other two lupins I have just burst into flower today, they look lovely, they were probably watching me cut the first one down and got worried do you think?? LOL ;o) Thanks again everyone - rosy