French Marigolds do not deter aphids

The irony here is I have bought some French Marrigolds (not a flower I like personally) to keep aphids down in my greenhouse. To a certain extent it has worked BUT the flowers themselves are getting covered in them which is making them wilt. Therefore the theory that that hate the flowers is a myth.

Has anyone else found this ? 

Perhaps they like the marigolds over anything else

I have mint growing in the gravel on dirt floor of my greenhouse. It gives off a really strong smell as i walk on it all the time.  I'm sure thats  the reason why i dont have a lot of pest troubles in there. Its as tough as old boots so just keeps growing. :happy:

I have a big container of 2 types of mint. Will bring a smaller pot into the greenhouse 

they have to be the single flowered marigold (Tagetes) not the double flowered pompom types.

This is because the single flowers are what the HOVERFLY needs in order to collect pollen and nectar and while they are around they lay eggs and the hoverly larva eat aphids. It's nothing to do with aphids not liking marigolds.

So if your greenhouse has been closed, that is why you marigolds have had no effect on your aphids - no hoverflies.

never heard of the mint trick Spana - thanks, might try that too  

I'd never heard of it either i just thought the smell is so strong in my greenhouse that it must have something to do with disguising the smell of other plants.

But i have just now Googled ' Does mint repel aphids ' and it seems it does :happy:

I have mint growing in tubs on the wall at home. Only because if I leave it on the ground the dog eats it,
But I am forever taking off greenfly so should you use it as a deterant you must have to crush it to release the smell.
John

Always had white fly in my green house untill I started to grow marigolds and since then I haven't been trouble.
Always thought it was the small.
It works for me so I'll keep doing it.