Aphids are attacking my Valerian... i think?

cant really tell from that photo whats going on shewolf but a couple of environmentally sound methods for insect controll are
soapy water twice a day till the problem reduces then once a day until you cant finf the insects/eggs. dishwashing liquid is good. the detergent coats the insect and they cant breathe propperly spray it on with a pump pack.but get under the leaves as well to ensure good contact.

Another is white oil available in many different brand names but usually as (something) oil simmer oil, rose oil. try thoose two, you wont be killing off the predator insects (lady bugs, praying mantis etc) that way.

stronger stuff could be malathion. Go to your local nursery/plant shop and choose a general insecticide.

so, i could do a soap / water mix in a spray bottle?

Or do I need to wipe that mix on the leaves?

yup spray bottle is good.but remember to get up under the leaves for this to be effective you need to get bug contact.

Spray bottle is fine. You could also try horticultural oil.

I just re read my first post and I have written "simmer oil" I meant summer oil or as k suggests horticultural oil.

Here's a link with recipe for soap spray.

I used to have a different one, involving, if I remember right, dish soap, water, and canola oil.. but don't have the details at hand right now.

OOpsie, didn't read that far into your thread!

http://reviews.ebay.com/Recipe-for-Insecticidal-Soap-Garden-Spray_W0QQugidZ10000000000772204?ssPageName=BUYGD:CAT:-1:LISTINGS:1

Looking at that link,
what IS pure soap?

I take it, I could not use bathroom soap in this mixture?

I checked with natrual gardner , and they dont have summer oil or rose oil.
Is this something I could find at home depot?

Thank you for the 'natural' suggestions, as I know I could always go out and buy something like Round up, but Valerian is something I plan on eating and making tea from and I dont necessarily want to drink or eat Miracle grow..

Roundup is not an insecticide, I'm gonna assume you knew that and were being silly.

white oil, horticultural oil, I dunno what it might be called in USA. Our home hardware store stock this kind of procuct so I guess go look for it in the garden section of your harware shop. you can buy shipments of predator insects for next to nothing.

About predator insects
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in078

purchase predator insects (This link is not a reccomendation please do your own research)
http://ecomm.mgfx.com/BerkBioStore/

exactly.




Thank you for that.
I think I will go the ladybug route because I can get them for less then a dollar here.
And use a spray if they dont clear out my plants.

The aphids have won.

I have lost almost all of my Valerian.

I am thinking,... the window of seed planting is still open. Just barely.

I am going to try again.
Should I throw out that dirt as well?
Or is it ok to re-use it? I dont know if aphids will plant their eggs in dirt too? Or just on the plants themselves?

your bugs are probably very mellloooowww.