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RE: re: lupines (aphids)

Dear Karen,
    I am certainly no expert re. pests but I am an avid no-chemical
gardener experiencing large numbers of aphids (earlier) and spider
mites. I, too, have been unable and unwilling to do the Safer soap or
hand-spray methods. 
   I cut off some plants because they looked so awful-some Aesclepias,
Buddleia, Digitalis- and to my amazement they are coming back with
minimal signs of bug damage. I am sure that I lost them re. bloom this
season but at least I didn't lose the plant. I searched the organic and 
Integrated Pest Managements sites. (In years past I have purchased a
variety of beneficial insects but didn't do it this year). I read that
some of the pests will reach maximum population density and them succumb
to natural selection and die-off, e.g., the spider mites flourish in hot
and dry weather-then when rains come, they get a fungus. That seems to
be happening here.
   I am using a cheap small plastic fan-type sprinkler and setting it in
the middle of my borders and letting it blast "up" as it waters.
Alternatively, I set it on "right" or "left" and tilt it with a brick
and let it spray (hard) the edges of borders. I am leaving it on for
about 4-6 hrs (once weekly) and periodically moving it and adjusting the
water flow so it will blast other plants. It's a trade-off in water
price vs. my time in hand spraying (and being miserable in heat,
swatting mosquitos, and damaging leaves trying to spray bugs).
   HTH!                      Usually a more responsible gardener, but 
                                  2 hot, 2 tired, 2 feel guilty :-}
                                          Jill
                                          NC Zone 7b
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