Question
hi,
from northeastern pa...my hibiscus plants are 5 years(peach color)and 12+ years(red). I put them outside late spring and come inside late fall. I wash all my plants before bring them in. some how the hibiscus have aphids. I have washed them with dawn dish soap water a couple of times and most are gone but cant totally rid them to the point they are spreading to my other plants Christmas cactus's my  umbrella tree, African violets and others. The hibiscus are the worst. I have lost 1 violet. my one cactus is over 15 years old was my mothers and as is one of my other leafy plants. Both hibs. have been trimmed and are about 7 foot. 1 green plant is about 9 foot. I am sick about this and don't know what to do. I can't let the hibs. destroy my mother's plants. but i have had them nearly as long. My husband thinks i should throw them out and get new....!!!! I can't i think perhaps a florist can take them for a few weeks or months and fix them if i cant cure them, they want a bit $$ but to me they are worth it especially my mom's cactus and her other plant.. i don't know the names of her other plant. Can you help. should i cut the hib. trees down and hope they return! is there a store bought spray i can use. Please help ASAP thank you so very much. I'm not crazy they just mean so much to me all of them i have had them longer than my husband  :)

Answer
Marian:
You may consider trying an insecticidal soap or a material called Malathion. Both products are available at your local garden center.  Check with the employees to be sure that the Malathion is safe to use on your plants.  The insecticidal soap is quite safe for most plants.  You may need to spray all of the plants in question at the same time to keep the aphids from moving around. If infestations are concentrated on a few twigs, you should be able to prune that tissue out and discard before you spray.

Regards
Steve