Q. I asked you before about
tiny black bugs on my artichoke plant. After consulting you and the PC, I found
a solution of Neem Oil extract from Garden Safe and sprayed it, hosed it down a
couple times and cut off the top few inches. No pests since then. The main
plant is dying and there are several suckers growing from the sides. I have been looking online for care of the
plant.
 |
| Aphids are a big problem on artichokes wherever you live but those and whiteflies almost make you pull your hair out. They cause the lower leaves, the older ones to turn yellow and collapse/die. Remove them. The plant doesn’t need the lower leaves. They’re always in the dark anyway and they are impossible to spray. |
A. I never found Neem Oil very
effective for insect control. Others have. I am glad you found a name brand
that works for you, e.g. Garden Safe. Neem Oil is a “natural” pesticide, sometimes
labeled organic, that has had some problems with quality control.
effective for insect control. Others have. I am glad you found a name brand
that works for you, e.g. Garden Safe. Neem Oil is a “natural” pesticide, sometimes
labeled organic, that has had some problems with quality control.
 |
| Not the same Neem Oil mentioned by the reader and making sure you select the right Neem Oil is critical. Different processes are used to extract Neem Oil and quality control is a problem. |
The effectiveness of Neem Oil apparently is dependent on
how it is extracted or “manufactured”. Some brands of Neem Oil work well while
others seemingly do not. It sounds like Garden Safe brand may be a good one for
you. Let’s hope it stays that way.
how it is extracted or “manufactured”. Some brands of Neem Oil work well while
others seemingly do not. It sounds like Garden Safe brand may be a good one for
you. Let’s hope it stays that way.
Fact sheet on Neem Oil from the National Pesticide Information Center
Artichokes, like sunflowers, are aphid magnets. Those
little black bugs were probably aphids, commonly found on the underside of artichoke
leaves. Aphids are easy to control when they first appear. If left alone, they
are not. Once populations build to epidemic numbers, they are difficult to get
under control with “natural” or organic sprays.
little black bugs were probably aphids, commonly found on the underside of artichoke
leaves. Aphids are easy to control when they first appear. If left alone, they
are not. Once populations build to epidemic numbers, they are difficult to get
under control with “natural” or organic sprays.
Neem Oil must contact the pest to be effective. It
requires frequent, repeat applications when populations are small to keep
levels of these pests manageable.
requires frequent, repeat applications when populations are small to keep
levels of these pests manageable.
Aphids don’t like hot temperatures. Their populations
build fastest in the cooler, darker, more humid areas near the soil. This is
also where they are more difficult to see. Removing infested leaves helps
reduce aphid populations.
build fastest in the cooler, darker, more humid areas near the soil. This is
also where they are more difficult to see. Removing infested leaves helps
reduce aphid populations.
Artichokes produce okay in our hot desert climate during
the cooler months but suffer during the heat of the summer. ‘Chokes here tend
to be smaller and a little tougher; not the same quality as those produced in
cooler, more humid climates.
the cooler months but suffer during the heat of the summer. ‘Chokes here tend
to be smaller and a little tougher; not the same quality as those produced in
cooler, more humid climates.
Artichokes love the
cooler spring and fall months. They grow back quite nicely in the Fall after
suffering during the heat of our very hot summers. Fertilize them just before
new growth begins.