We have an area where there are ants and black aphids. We know not to plant things like kale here for that reason. I've recently noticed that the clover in this area is covered in orange spots (see photos attached). I was just about to plant some cosmos and some lettuce but I'm trying to figure out what I'm dealing with before doing so. I will definitely be removing all affected plants in this bed but before doing so wanted folks' help in pest identification.
Thanks much.
Looks like rust to me. Aphids you can actually see the little bugs with your naked eye.
https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/nassauco/2017/07/16/q-wrong-oxalis/
I would spray my aphids with a bit of Palmolive in water in a hand sprayer. But do not spray when the sun is strong or you may burn your leaves.
It is clover rust which is common in cool wet weather. Oxalis is unrelated to clover but is likewise predisposed.
Nice to hear from you again ZilyZily. The black aphids that we do have, there are so many that I've given up on the hand spraying and just try to find things to grow there that they won't like, which is challenging. Enjoy this glorious weather we're having in the Bay Area!
MaypopLaurel thanks so much for the identification. We've had clover there for years and no particular change in weather. So very surprised to find this and in such abundance. I'll just make sure to remove all of it ASAP.
Thanks. I hope you are not getting too discouraged with your insects, powdery mildew and now rust. Gardens are always a work in progress as you change out 1 plant for another as you learn what works. I kind of liked doing that as my yard was not very big and I wanted to try just about about every plant I would see. I was a plant murderer! LOL
I hope your roses do not get rust too. Clean up of all those infected is a must. Aphids can really be a pest though the Palmolive just dries them up. Spider mites and broad mites were my biggest nemeses ever but I was growing in abundance their favorite dinner, brugs. I finally stopped my addiction to brugs cold turkey when I realized my yard was a toxic dump. They are bug magnets.
Just think by the end of this year you will be an expert!
Today is a bit blah here. 62 and cloudy. I shouldn't complain, it has been lovely. I just wish if we can't have sun, then I want lots of rain. The rest of the week it will be hot in the high 70s and even might make it to 80 degrees.
