How to remove aphids and mealybugs with Nasturtium
How to remove aphids and mealybugs with Nasturtium
Perhaps not everyone knows that Nasturtium is not only an ornamental plant for its beautiful flowering, but it is also very useful for those farmers (or enthusiasts) who want to naturally fight aphids and cochineals (but also snails). This plant attracts these insects and therefore simultaneously protect the other plants.
Certainly it will seem strange that these systems can be used to carry out biological struggles; in fact they are not biological struggles but mechanisms of action that, by emulating ecosystem balances, help to remove those parasites that create so many problems for our crops (both for vegetables and many fruit-bearing crops).
In this sense these summer flowers are perfect for creating a natural wall for pests. The nasturtium in fact represents an incredible attraction for these insects, making sure that they do not reach other plants. A real natural barrier.
By the way, as you know, nasturtium being an ornamental plant can help to beautify your gardens.
The goal must be to create real hedges of this plant and since it is not right that the poor nasturzi suffer attacks that could make them suffer or wither, on them you can use natural products (soaps of Marseille, natural white oils and other products) that will not leave residues. In short, a way to move the fight elsewhere.
Among other things, nasturtium is simple to grow, you just have to know that this flower is very hot. It reproduces very easily from seed. It also reproduces spontaneously in a rather intrusive and unruly way, so if left to itself it can spread out in the garden beds beyond its borders. It does not have particular soil and irrigation needs, only in case of prolonged drought it is necessary to wet it.
Moreover, being nasturtium is appreciated by bees is very useful near the fruit vegetables such as zucchini and pumpkins because it indirectly increases the productivity of these plants.
We finished; not at all: nasturtium is an entirely edible flower, we eat the whole plant, from leaves to petals (seeds included). The flower has an aromatic flavor, which recalls that of watercress and can be eaten in salads or used to flavor various dishes.
Do you want to cultivate well? Do it according to nature and we will change the world.
Guido Bissanti