My red currant bush has an infestation of some sort on many of the tips of new growth and I don't know what it is, whether it's something to worry about or what to do about it. Some of the newer leaves are curled up and from a distance it looks like grey powdery covering under the leaves and part way down the stems. But when you look closely it could be tiny eggs covering the leaves & stems. Whatever it is is only attacking the new growth. There seems to be a lot of ants on the red currant bush as well.
I noticed the same infestation on a neighbouring allotment's brassicas that have been left in the ground to flower. One brassica plant is almost covered with this same stuff that is on my red currant bush. Tonight I found it on one raspberry plant too.
Appreciate any advice on this infestation as I haven't seen anything like it before.
Aphids. The ants are rather revoltingly 'milking' them. You can either spray with insecticide if you like to, or repeatedly (every couple of days) use a strong jet of water to wash the aphids off. I also put some tree grease around the main stem of the bushes to stop the ants, but my currants are trained to have a single stem for the first 20cm or so which makes this easy, you would have to put a bit around each stem otherwise. You can snip the tips off the plants as an instant cure, then keep an eye out for any comebacks!
Sounds like aphids to me - redcurrants are particularly prone to them.
I've had them in the past but they are not a problem every year, thank goodness. The damage looks unsightly but the bushes are able to grow ok nevertheless.
The main problem is at pruning time. particularly if you want to extend the framework as the affected shoots will be twisted.
Giving those shoots a nice soapy bath should do the trick! :)
If I give them a soapy bath, would washing up liquid work or do I need liquid soap - the sort you wash your hands with? I have cut off the growth affected and will continue to do so but a spray with soap (rather than insecticide) seems like a good idea. But not sure what sort of soap would be most effective
Thanks
Quote from: Sue7 on June 02, 2012, 10:22:45
If I give them a soapy bath, would washing up liquid work or do I need liquid soap - the sort you wash your hands with? I have cut off the growth affected and will continue to do so but a spray with soap (rather than insecticide) seems like a good idea. But not sure what sort of soap would be most effective
Thanks
You can use washing up liquid - but "soft soap" is whats traditionally used!
Import some ladybirds
LAdybirds can only do their job if the ants aren't there unfortunately... I've watched ants attacking adn driving off ladybirds from their "herds" before....
If you have as you say a grey powdery stuff on the leaves and stems then it could be Powdery mildew
Scroll down to pest and Diseases
http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/growyourown/fruit_manual/Bush_Fruit.pdf