Aphids near tomatoes - ignore?

hazeldazel · April 27, 2018

I have five 7-gallon grow bags with happy tomatoes and next to them is a small rose that is just covered with aphids. I've been checking the tomatoes every day and no aphids on them, just the rose. I don't care about the rose, it was planted by the previous owners and I cut it back to almost nothing last year and since it's grown some manageable branches and some blooms, I've let it be instead of completely ripping it out.

So I'm tempted to deal with the aphids by spraying or trimming the affected areas but I'm also wondering if the rose is somehow attracting the aphids which are keeping the aphids off my tomatoes and nearby berries. I would hate to have aphids decide my tomatoes are a better lunch.

jillian · April 27, 2018

I would play the "wait and see" game for now. I have never had aphids bother my tomatoes, they seem to prefer my peppers. If you notice any on your tomatoes, I would take some cuttings of the rose bush (if you care to, I love roses), and then remove it.
You can root the cuttings in a more desirable location.

Nan_PA_6b · April 27, 2018

I don't know if different kinds of aphids are specific to different host plants, but I suspect it's so. Those aphids may not eat tomatoes. Or the rose is acting as a magnet. You could use those aphids to attract & feed ladybugs.

Nan

zipcode · April 29, 2018

If the rose suddenly died then it could be a potential problem if nothing else is in the vicinity. I noticed they only attack tomatoes as a last resort, it's not high on their preference list. At least the few types of aphids we have here. Peppers and eggplants though...

clkeiper · April 29, 2018

I myself would spray the tomatoes with either insecticidal soap or a dishsoap spray... your preference.. don't wash the spray off, let it dry on the plant. I don't want any aphids on my tomatoes. the other aphids can and will be food for beneficial predators.

Gardeneer · May 5, 2018

I also do think that differnt aphids attack different plant. I have had aphids on eggplant and some other plants next to tonatoes but not on tomatoes.
I recommend spraying apgids with Neem Oil spray.

GrowingCoastal · May 5, 2018

Last year I had black aphids land on my tomato plants. They died there without my doing anything. Apparently hostile territory to them.

April 27, 2018	#1
hazeldazel Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Northern California Posts: 22	Aphids near tomatoes - ignore? I have five 7-gallon grow bags with happy tomatoes and next to them is a small rose that is just covered with aphids. I've been checking the tomatoes every day and no aphids on them, just the rose. I don't care about the rose, it was planted by the previous owners and I cut it back to almost nothing last year and since it's grown some manageable branches and some blooms, I've let it be instead of completely ripping it out. So I'm tempted to deal with the aphids by spraying or trimming the affected areas but I'm also wondering if the rose is somehow attracting the aphids which are keeping the aphids off my tomatoes and nearby berries. I would hate to have aphids decide my tomatoes are a better lunch.

April 29, 2018	#5
clkeiper Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: ohio Posts: 4,350	I myself would spray the tomatoes with either insecticidal soap or a dishsoap spray... your preference.. don't wash the spray off, let it dry on the plant. I don't want any aphids on my tomatoes. the other aphids can and will be food for beneficial predators. __________________ carolyn k

May 5, 2018	#6
Gardeneer Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: NC - zone 8a - heat zone 7 Posts: 4,922	I also do think that differnt aphids attack different plant. I have had aphids on eggplant and some other plants next to tonatoes but not on tomatoes. I recommend spraying apgids with Neem Oil spray. __________________ Gardeneer Happy Gardening !

April 27, 2018	#2
jillian Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: North Carolina Posts: 880	I would play the "wait and see" game for now. I have never had aphids bother my tomatoes, they seem to prefer my peppers. If you notice any on your tomatoes, I would take some cuttings of the rose bush (if you care to, I love roses), and then remove it. You can root the cuttings in a more desirable location.

April 27, 2018	#3
Nan_PA_6b Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 3,194	I don't know if different kinds of aphids are specific to different host plants, but I suspect it's so. Those aphids may not eat tomatoes. Or the rose is acting as a magnet. You could use those aphids to attract & feed ladybugs. Nan

April 29, 2018	#4
zipcode Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Romania/Germany , z 4-6 Posts: 1,582	If the rose suddenly died then it could be a potential problem if nothing else is in the vicinity. I noticed they only attack tomatoes as a last resort, it's not high on their preference list. At least the few types of aphids we have here. Peppers and eggplants though...

May 5, 2018	#7
GrowingCoastal Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Vancouver Island Canada BC Posts: 1,253	Last year I had black aphids land on my tomato plants. They died there without my doing anything. Apparently hostile territory to them.