STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

so I planted a little container garden with some plants I rescued so they wouldn't be thrown out by the store.  we went to Cincinnati for the weekend and I moved the garden from the protected, very hot and sunny atrium to a dappled spot in our patio.  upon return, I discovered the plants had a ton of aphids on them, and they started killing some of the new tomato plant blooms.

I really wanted to grow my veggies organically and didn't want to use insecticide, so a friend of mine recommended ladybugs, as they love to eat aphids.  I called all the nurseries in our area and none carried them.  I then found some on ebay - $5 for 500.

they arrived as I was on my way out the door, but I was so curious, I opened up the box to see they were very unhappy ladybugs trying to escape from the vented plastic container they were in.  being in a hurry, and feeling sorry for them, I didn't read the directions, and dumped the container in the garden. some immediately flew away, and some were dead, but most were hungry.  apparently, I was supposed to put them in the fridge to settle them down then let half of out, etc.  next time.

long story long, they have put a huge dent in the aphids.  I water the plant daily and water the leaves so the ladybugs can get a drink.  they have taken to exploring the atrium too, so I find them  crawling around and pour a little water next to them which they scurry to to get a drink. 

the ladybugs are also fun to watch.  they run around on the trellis used to hold up the tomato plant, and it's like when they encounter another one they say "wanna do it? wanna do it?" and they either get right down to business or one runs away.  all day long it's sex, sleep, eat, drink.  it's like ladybug nivana for them