Topic: Rumex

[SueSteve]

We have a Rumex growing in the garden, I say Rumex as it is of the dock/sorrel family, but I am not sure exactly what it is, but its a weed anyway.
I have noticed that it is completely covered in blackfly. My first reaction was to spray it with my rhubarb water and pull it up, and then it occured to me that I didnt have a blackfly problem on anything that I am growing in the garden, the closest thing to it is the peas, and they dont have any blackfly!
So, by having this growing, does it attract the blackfly away from everything else in your garden? Like a companion plant/sacrificial plant? Has anyone else noticed this?
Sue

[Robert_Brenchley]

Aphids often infest a limited range of species, so these may be totally different from the aphids you get on veg.

[Rhubarb Thrasher]

I'd have thought that since the blackfly seem to like your dock, they'll be multiplying like mad, and if they're the kind to affect your other plants they'll move on to them soon enough. Maybe your best bet is to cut the affected stems down and destroy them

[SueSteve]

Thanks for the advice
Sue