From our stems and the undersides of our tender new leaves, we feel the telltale pinch and pull of aphids. These small, soft-bodied insects cluster together, piercing our tissues to suck out our vital sap. This feeding weakens us, causing our leaves to curl, pucker, and yellow. Worse still, they excrete a sticky substance called honeydew, which attracts sooty mold and can interfere with our photosynthesis. To help us, encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs or lacewings to visit your garden. For severe infestations, a strong spray of water can dislodge them, or you can apply insecticidal soap or neem oil directly to the affected areas, ensuring thorough coverage.
We dread the cool, damp evenings when slugs and snails emerge. They rasp away at our lower leaves, stems, and even our young shoots, leaving behind large, irregular holes and silvery slime trails. This damage is not only unsightly but can be fatal to our youngest seedlings. To protect us, you can set up barriers like diatomaceous earth or copper tape around our base. Beer traps are effective at luring and drowning these pests. Hand-picking them at night with a flashlight is also a very direct and effective method of control.
A dusty, white or grayish coating on our leaves and stems signals an attack of powdery mildew. This fungal disease thrives in humid conditions with poor air circulation. It coats our surface, blocking sunlight and stunting our growth. While it rarely kills us outright, it severely weakens us and makes us look quite ill. Please ensure we are spaced adequately apart to allow air to flow freely between our stalks. Water us at the soil level, avoiding wetting our foliage. If the infection appears, you can treat us with a fungicide specifically labeled for powdery mildew or a homemade solution of baking soda and water.
Beneath the soil, a more sinister threat can loom: crown and root rot, often caused by fungi like Sclerotium or Pythium. This is frequently a result of being planted in heavy, poorly draining soil or being overwatered. We first feel a wet, mushy decay at our crown (where our stems meet the roots), which then spreads through our root system. Our lower leaves may yellow and wilt, and eventually, our entire structure may collapse. Prevention is key. Please plant us in well-draining soil and avoid letting water pool around our base. There is no cure once this disease takes hold; you must remove and destroy the infected plant to protect its neighbors.
These microscopic mites are among the most devastating pests we face. They infest our flower buds and the very tips of our growing shoots. From the inside, they suck the life from our newest and most tender cells. You will see the results as blackened, distorted buds that fail to open, and twisted, stunted growth that looks almost furry. The damage is often mistaken for a disease. Miticides are available, but because the mites are protected within the buds, control is difficult. The most reliable action is to promptly prune off and destroy all infested plant parts well below the visible damage.
