Aphids On Hydrangea: Reasoning and Resolving The Infestation

Aphids on hydrangea are ones that would grow on this plant, and it may, with all ease, be due to different causes. The concern increases if you are a new grower of this plant and notice certain symptoms, especially when the leaves start turning yellow.

The question on you and every other grower’s mind is, “What are the causes, and how can one solve it?” We bring you the answers to this question in detail, so let’s check out the information causing your search.

Why Do Aphids Infest On Hydrangea?

Aphids infest hydrangea because of improper pruning taking place, or having ant colonies near, and if the plant lacks proper ventilation. In addition, it can also take place when there is the absence of natural predators, and, lastly, because of water stress or extensive fertilization.

The infestation of aphids on hydrangea is mostly caused by certain environmental conditions that support the growth and multiplication of aphids. These conditions give aphids the best atmosphere to breed and multiply, which is a free ride to infestations of any plant.

– Improper Pruning

Pruning is a simple process that you can start and complete quickly, with its frequency being average. However, despite the relatively easy process, you can make the plant weak and make it susceptible to infestation from aphids.

When you do prune your hydrangea leaves and other parts excessively, it begins to weaken the plant, and this matter is what allows aphids to infest the plant easily. The plant’s defenses reduce with this action, leaving it vulnerable as it might also be infected with diseases and the aphids infestation. You will also make the hydrangea plants vulnerable if you perform the pruning practices at the wrong time.

– Ant Colonies

The presence of ant colonies can also be found where aphids are infesting or breeding causing more of a problem than you expect because they would be ones that easily attract aphids. The presence of ants means aphids are close since they share a special relationship that keeps them together. The ants are responsible for protecting the aphids in return for extracted mildew in exchange for the protection, so this is what invites them in.

It simply means that your plant is likely infested with the common hydrangea pests called aphids if there is an ant colony. There are also chances that you find spider mites on hydrangeas when you see ants and aphids on your plant.

– Improper Ventilation

Lack of proper ventilation also contributes greatly to the infestation of aphids and Japanese beetles on your hydrangea plant. Aphids are mainly known to breed properly where the atmosphere is warm and dry, with stagnant air filling the location, and in this area, they will begin to thrive more and more.

It helps them settle, feed and multiply optimally regardless of the hydrangea varieties you are growing, especially for indoor plants. Improper ventilation also weakens the plant as it won’t receive enough air, reducing its biological defenses. You will likely notice some parts of the plant leaves turning brown or having an odd coloration due to post-aphid infestation.

– Presence of Host Plants

Some plants are known as host plants, and they are plants that naturally attract pests and insects like scale insects, etc. The presence of these plants in your collection or garden will also make your hydrangea plant susceptible to infestation.

If you have any host plant for aphids, you should expect your hydrangea to be infested as these plants will attract them. The reason is that the aphids will move from the host plants to your hydrangea plant, spreading further among your collection.

– Previous Infestations

Aphids can also move from plants that are already infested but still a part of your collection to your hydrangea plant. You might also have your plant infested by aphids if it had experienced an infestation at a previous time which springs up again if it wasn’t fully recovered, as it opens a door for the rest of the pests.

Most infestations tend to be a recurrence because they were not completely eradicated when they previously sprang. The recurrence will also come much faster if you grow your hydrangea indoors rather than in its natural habitat. The main reason for the rapid recurrence also lies with its weakened defenses since it doesn’t exactly grow the same way as it would when left in its natural habitat.

– Absence of Beneficial Insects

Most plants have pests that attack them, and this plant isn’t any different, as there are some pests to note. Beneficial predators or insects also help ward the pests away, keeping your hydrangea protected from attacks.

However, growing this plant outside its natural habitat erases the presence of these insects, leaving pests with no threat when attacking. This gives the aphids enough freedom to infest your hydrangea plant and expose it to diseases caused by fungi or bacteria, and they would grow and multiply at their own pace. These natural predators are essential to keep the ants and aphids away, giving your plant room to grow and showing their importance.

– Water and Fertilization Stress

Aphids tend to be attracted to plants experiencing water stress, which can be due to the lack of watering or the excessive amount of watering, at certain growth points. Water stress puts the hydrangea plant in a weakened condition, making it attractive to aphids and reducing its defenses.

On the other hand, when you fertilize less than the recommended amount, this matter also creates a similar condition as too few nutrients weaken the plant with improper growth. In addition, applying fertilizers in excess also affects the plant the same way but with slightly different symptoms but still allowing aphids to attack it. Excessive fertilization also creates lush growth, which aphids find attractive, increasing the chances of infesting your plant, as the nutrients are abundant and they grow.

How To Remove Aphids from Your Infested Hydrangea Plant

To remove aphids from your infested hydrangea plant, you should breed some predator pests, or use neem-based oil to tackle and cultivate some companion plants. In addition, you must also prioritize optimal pruning around the plant, and use some water spray.

You need to implement some hydrangea care procedures to protect your plant, like using the right products. Aphids also come around when there are host plants around your plant, and their infestation counts among what kills hydrangeas easily.

However, there are ways to use them, and other methods exist to fight aphids and keep them off your hydrangea plant. Some of these solutions also fit a particular growing situation while not working for another, restricting its overall use.

– Breed Some Predator Pests

Biological control means including natural insects that ward off aphids in your hydrangea garden to protect the plant from infestation. You will need to find the so-called biological predators that keep aphids at bay and set them in your hydrangea garden.

However, you should note that not all biological predators chase away aphids, so you must get specific ones. Predators like ladybugs and parasitic wasps work well to control aphids, so prioritize getting those to keep your plant protected, and they would feed on the aphids with ease. Also, ensure that you avoid using this method in-house as it’s only good for garden specific growing outdoors and indoors.

– Use Neem-Based Oil

Neem oil also works to help you control the infestation of aphids in your garden or home with its special properties. The oil works as an insecticide, repels aphids on your plant with its organic composition, and might kill some. It’s a good solution to implement as it doesn’t harm your plant while helping you repel the aphids infesting it.

However, you will need to mix it in the proper way by diluting it to five percent of its original concentration, this shows you that the oil, itself, is already very strong, and dilution is a must. You dilute it with water and fill it in a spray bottle, then spray it on every part of your hydrangea plant. Watch the tiny white bugs on the hydrangea fall off after repeating daily for some time.

You can also try to consider making a homemade bug spray for hydrangeas with organic soap in your home. However, make sure you dilute the soap with water and not apply it directly to the plant you are growing; if the infestation is small enough, this is a great choice to opt for.

– Cultivate Companion Planting

You can also resort to companion planting, which helps remove aphids and involves plating specific plants, such as garlic crops, or a fennel plant. This method requires you to find specific plants that ward off certain pests with their scent, appearance, or other traits.

The only setback is that you need to get the specific plant that wards off aphids for this method to work in this situation. Once you get a compatible plant, grow it in your collection next to your hydrangea and watch the aphids leave. However, you should also ensure that your companion plant does not attract other pests to your hydrangea.

– Prioritize Optimal Pruning Procedures

Pruning is necessary to remove unwanted aspects of the plant, including overgrown sections, to help the plant grow optimally. However, you also use pruning methods to remove infested sections that you find on the plant to reduce infestations.

Ensure you remove the section or branch on the plant once you notice that the section is heavily infested with aphids. Also, remember to dispose of the tools and equipment used to prune the plant to prevent the aphids on it from returning. Repeat this process occasionally and do it in detail, as it also helps to promote airflow while reducing aphid infestation, and this way, you would increase the air ventilation.

– Use a Water Spray

You can also turn to a water spray to push off the aphids on certain sections and remove them, especially the leaves. The water spray method is best used when the infestation is still in its early stages, as the aphids have yet to reproduce fully.

You prioritize getting a jet hose to spray the plant, washing off the aphids on the leaves when you see little signs of hydrangea scale on the leaves. Remember to prioritize washing underneath the leaves as aphids tend to settle there, and it’s harder to remove when spraying normally.

Conclusion

Our gardening advice to help you give your hydrangea plant complete protection is almost complete, and you can start the procedure, so, always remember that:

• You will likely find aphids where you see a colony of ants, so be sure to catch the case earlier.
• Poor ventilation and imbalance of nutrients promote aphid infestation.
• Neem spray works well when used for both indoor and outdoor growing, giving you the best results.
• You should prioritize getting ladybugs or parasitic wasps when considering the use of biological methods. These two are proactive in ridding you of aphids by feeding on them.
• You must use water spray to tackle the aphids with ease.

That covers everything you need to know about getting rid of aphid infestation to help you grow a healthy hydrangea plant; now, you have all the information you need about the causes of aphid infestation and the solutions you can implement.