[Syrupmakers] Organic Sweet Sorghum Sugarcane Aphid Battle

[Scott]

I have 2 varieties Dale and Della. I have buckwheat surrounding them. Plants are very healthy. I have lady bugs and other beneficials but they can't keep up.

I also say no to the insecticides.

Thanks
Scott

Sent from my iPhone

On Aug 4, 2017, at 9:30 AM, Forrest Moore <forrest at vommoorehaus.com<mailto:forrest at vommoorehaus.com>> wrote:

Scott,

The below is part of a response from last year.  I have SCA's this year (2017) as well, but this year yellow jackets, lady bugs and various wasp are going to town on the aphids. If plants are healthy they seem to pull through it. I have yet to see SCA's in my Sugarcane. I hope this is helpful.

  Last year (2015)  I grew three varieties of Sorghum ( Rox Orange, Mennonite and Black Amber) that all became infested with Sugar Cane Aphids. Having never experienced SCA's I contacted my county Mr. Kimball (Green Acres reference) He told me that it was a problem throughout the Southeast and that the government was giving an emergency release to use certain banned insecticides and if I would like, he would help me with the process. I said "thanks, but no thanks" to the banned insecticides and informed him that I would just deal with the SCA's. I was prepared to plow it all under but instead let nature run its course. Results: The Black Amber quickly succumbed to the SCA's but the Rox Orange and Mennonite survived and I was actually able to make syrup albeit reduced quantity.

This year (2016) there were no SCA's but there will be no Sorghum syrup here in West central Georgia due to drought.

Forrest

Forrest

On Thu, Aug 3, 2017 at 10:39 PM, Scott <scott at eldercomputersolutions.com<mailto:scott at eldercomputersolutions.com>> wrote:
I grow sweet sorghum organically.  I am currently battling sugarcane aphids in East Tennessee.  Two years ago did not have any and last year had a few, but this year seems to be more of them.  I have sprayed with neem oil but it appears to not be slowing them down.  Any suggestions organically?

Thanks
Scott

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--
Forrest Moore
Drahthaar vom Moorehaus
www.vommoorehaus.com<http://www.vommoorehaus.com>
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