Common
Pests and Diseases of Garden Plants
Many plants are susceptible to various ailments. Often the natural
balance of the garden i.e.. natural predators and of course
good cultivation, are enough to maintain control. However occasionally
the gardener needs to intervene.
Verbascum
These are attacked by mullein moth caterpillars, any insecticide
will effect control, or just pick them off.
Roses, Hollyhock, Campanula persicifolia
(peach leaved bellflower) and all other types of Campanula
May get Rust, Blackspot, Aphids. Use Rose Clear or Tumble Blight,
spray routinely, perhaps when you spray the roses. This is a
problem especially during warm damp weather
Hardy geraniums, Aster, Monarda, Hebe
and other members of the scrophulariaceae such as Foxgloves
and Penstemons.
These can suffer from powdery mildew. Give plants plenty of
room to allow good air circulation. Water in the morning so
foliage is dry by nightfall. Almost any fungicide will give
control.
Leaf Spot Diseases
Especially prone are herbaceous perennials. Rose clear or Tumble
Blight. Remember to follow exactly the dosages and instructions
on the packets and bottles. Occasionally alternate with
sprays containing different ingredients.
Slugs
There are many alternatives you could try them all, but its
a battle most gardeners have. Beer is often used in small containers
or bottles buried near plants. Crushed eggshells or sharp sand
placed around the plants, but as soon as the rain comes it gets
washed in or away.
Encouraging natural predators is effective but ponds and associated
wildlife can have their own problems. So... Blue Slug Pellets
really are the best and do work effectively if you follow this
tried and tested route!
Place a few pellets under a flat slate or stone which has been
propped up on a smaller stone, (this keeps the pellets dryer
and the wildlife away from the pellets) Or
Tie a length of string to the small stone and when a slug comes
by pull the string hard, the propped up flat stone will fall
despatching the slug!!
Good
Luck
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