Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: ex-cavator on July 07, 2011, 20:59

Title: Black fly control - what is it?
Post by: ex-cavator on July 07, 2011, 20:59

Can anybody please tell me what this plant is? A neighbouring plot holder gave it to me & said planting these close to my broad beans will keep the black fly away. He couldn't remember it's scientific name but said it was either similar to, or related to Physalis?

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v355/tonypclark/038.jpg)

 :)

Title: Re: Black fly control - what is it?
Post by: Spana on July 07, 2011, 21:41

Shoo Fly plant  Nicandra physalodes

Title: Re: Black fly control - what is it?
Post by: Bing on July 08, 2011, 08:19

does it really work eliminating blackflies?

Title: Re: Black fly control - what is it?
Post by: Spana on July 08, 2011, 09:52

Quote from: Bing on July 08, 2011, 08:19

does it really work eliminating blackflies?

Dont know really  :unsure:

I grow it for a few years and had the plants round our patio to keep flies aways but how do you tell if its working or not :unsure:  :lol:

Title: Re: Black fly control - what is it?
Post by: sunshineband on July 08, 2011, 10:02

The flies it refers to in its name are just normal house flies.

Don't let this plant get out of control as it is a pernicious weed in bean fields now in USA. Dob't be misled by ths pretty flowers  :lol:

The big black seeds that result fall and grow really quickly and the plant gets massive  :ohmy:

We had an invasion of this at our site, and it has taken a huge effort from several of us, well supported by the council, to eliminate it. P

Sorry to be so gloom and doom, but I felt I should pass this on

Title: Re: Black fly control - what is it?
Post by: Spana on July 08, 2011, 10:09

We found it seeded everywhere too which is why we scrapped it.  It does have pretty flowers, lilac and white.

I was given the seed by a friend who had found it growing in Paris and thought i would like it.  So i grow it mainly to thank her for the kind thought, cough, cough :D

Title: Re: Black fly control - what is it?
Post by: ex-cavator on July 08, 2011, 11:18

Thank you for all your replies - treat with caution, then. Perhaps I should put it in my greenhouse then, to see if it keeps the greenfly off my chillies. At least then it's in a confined space & easier to keep under control  :mellow: