aphid attack

It's still unclear who has the higher number of attacks. My zinnias keep dropping, but I think that's from prior girdling - those teensy weensy little bugs like to hang out under the leaves and snack on the stems. There have been fewer of them since we started spraying with soap, but there was a bit of a plateau until... someone checked under the benches.

I'm already itching just thinking about it. Yes, I know the bugs only like leafy matter, and no matter how much I fancy myself a tasty treat, they're not going to move in and set up shop on my scalp... or my shoulders... or on my back... or in my ears... but I just. can't. stop. itching.

Anyway, we were under the benches, weren't we? Well, so were they. Thousands of them. Millions, maybe. Lurking. Waiting. Breeding in the bindweed. Climbing up the tables and into the cosmos and tomatos and dahlias and my precious zinnias.

We had to take the soap spray up a notch.

And, then.. well... it's just to hard to say what happened. The handyman disappeared into the greenhouse last night with a face mask and a big black jug. I waited patiently outside. I know many of you will be disappointed, but something had to be done quickly as these are research greenhouses. The bindweed had to go.

On a brighter note, there are tons and tons of cosmos. The cabbage got beat to heck, but they look like they're going to make it. My hollyhocks are taking off. And, I used the extra space made by my dying zinnias to transplant some of the lobelia that were really close (note to self - when spreading teeny tiny seeds from the packet, no more shakin' it like a salt shaker). I just yanked up a tweezer full and plopped 'em down in the zinnia trays. This morning they looked fresh and green and happy. Maybe they'll cheer those zinnias on if those aphids make another attack...