A student at my school has a project were he is trying to prove that eroded is worse than non-eroded soil. I know that this has already been proven and pretty much any gardener would be able to tell you what the out come is going to be, but he still has to go through with it. He hasn't even planed his plants and already they have some pretty bad problems. One is affides so I'm trying to find the least intrusive way to get rid of them. Ladybugs? Two is something else that I have been unable to identify. The leaves starting at the tip turn dark and then curl up and die. (see pic) I'm not sure of the the species but they are some kind of shrubs. I wish I could give more information but I'm not sure what else is needed. If anyone has any ideas on what to do with this please let me know. Or if more information is needed I'll do my best to find out.

Could it be from overwatering? Leaf edges sometimes discolor and die from too much water. Just a guess on my part, though.

Karen

If the aphids aren't too bad, they can simply be washed off. I've also removed them from small plants with Q-tips and rubbing alcohol.

For the aphids removal in my schefflera, I have used a mixtuer of water, rubbing alcohol, dish detergent, spraying them liberally. I do it early in the day so it will not burn the leaves and allow dry off.

Leaf curling on your 2nd photo, could be over watering/over fertilizing. Remind him to check the soil before he attempts watering. Or try to see the position of the plant if it is too near a very hot window/ very hot sun,maybe re-orient plant location if possible.