Last year, I read somewhere that cherry blossom attracted a pest that caused havoc with a totally unrelated species - but I have lost the reference. I think it MAY be water lillies, but old age is catching up fast, & just do not remember. What I DO remember, is thinking "Oh, no cherries for me then!", but I am just planning my new orchard, & would like to be sure before ruling cherries out. Can anyone help me on this?
Jeremy
The Water lily aphid may over winter on Cherry trees, but more likely on Plums and Blackthorn. Is that the pest to which you referred? I cannot find any other references specificall to Cherry trees, but i will keep looking if necessary.
That does sound very much like the pest that I read about - thanks very much for the information. I have already bought a plum tree, so I might just as well go ahead & get a cherry as well. Are there any precautions that I can take? I have no objections to sprays
None are mentioned, but I would presume that the normal Winter Tar oil wash (substitute these days, but just as good), will kill off any over wintering aphids of any sort. Otherwise all you can do is spray them off your water lilies with a strong jet of water and allow your fish to eat them.