Michigan Gardener

SIGN UP for our Free E-Newsletter!
We will send you occasional e-mails with valuable gardening tips and information!

Digital Edition

Click cover to read now!
This issue sponsored by:

  • Home
  • Departments
    • Ask MG
    • Books
    • Clippings
    • Garden Snapshots
    • MG in the News
    • Janet’s Journal
    • Plant Focus
    • Profile
    • Raising Roses
    • Thyme for Herbs
    • Tools
    • Tree Tips
  • Garden Event Calendar
    • Garden Event Calendar
    • Submit a Calendar Listing
  • Resources
    • Alternatives to Impatiens
    • Garden Help
    • Soil and Mulch Calculator
    • Public Gardens
  • Web Extras
  • Submit a question
  • About
    • About Us
    • 2022 Publishing Schedule
    • Editorial Content
    • Bulk Subscriptions
    • Where to pick up Michigan Gardener
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact Us
  • Advertising
    • Print / Web / E-Newsletter Advertising
    • Classified Advertising
    • Material Specs & Terms
    • Make a Payment

Archive for the ladybugs tag

What are the bugs on my nicotiana and how can I control them?

November 12, 2011   •   

I grew Nicotiana sylvestris for the first time this year and I have three questions. First, as the plants started to blossom this spring, tiny white and brown bugs appeared all over both the flowers and the foliage, especially the undersides. Near the end of the season, there must have been thousands of these bugs all over the plants! The foliage and flowers were healthy and bloomed wonderfully all season. I tried insecticidal soap in the early summer, but that didn’t seem to faze them. Should I be worried about these bugs overwintering, and what, if anything, should I do differently next year?

Second, at season’s end, I noticed that each seed head had dozens of tiny, brown particles. Are these all seeds? If not, is there just one seed per each “head”? It seems difficult to determine what exactly the seed is. Does this plant self-seed? Third, should this plant be deadheaded throughout the season? As each white bloom faded to brown, I plucked it out, but should I also have cut off the oval seed heads?

What you probably had on your Nicotiana were aphids. They attack the tender new growth and buds of fleshy plants, including Nicotiana. When these insects shed their exo-skeleton they fall on the foliage and give the appearance of thousands. Aphids reproduce rapidly, especially in hot weather, therefore it is difficult to get rid of them quickly. Insecticidal soap will work, but must be applied every 6 to 8 days to kill any eggs that might hatch. For another natural way of getting rid if these pests, try ladybugs. They can be purchased at your local garden center and can take care of a large population of aphids in a matter of days.

The seed pod on Nicotiana is the green, oval shaped part at the base of the flower. These should be removed for flower longevity. In mild winters, Nicotiana can self-seed if the seed pods are left on the plant.

Filed Under: Ask MG Tagged With: aphids, bugs, ladybugs, nicotiana

Copyright © 1996-2022 Michigan Gardener. All rights reserved.