Greetings, caretaker. From our perspective as carnations, we rely on you to interpret the subtle and not-so-subtle signs of distress we display. When our vitality wanes, it is often due to tiny invaders or silent sicknesses within our systems. Understanding these afflictions is the first step to restoring our health and vibrant blooms.
You will often find these pests congregating on our most tender parts—the undersides of leaves, the new growing tips, and the developing flower buds. Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects, usually green or black, that cluster together. They pierce our tissues and suck out the nutrient-rich sap. This causes our leaves to curl, pucker, and turn yellow. Worse, they excrete a sticky substance called honeydew, which attracts sooty mold, further blocking our sunlight.
Thrips are even more furtive. They are tiny, slender insects that rasp at our petals and leaves, sucking out the contents. On our flowers, you will see white or silvery streaks and spots, and the petals may become distorted or fail to open properly. Spider mites, almost microscopic, weave fine, silken webs on our foliage. They cause a stippled, yellow discoloration on our leaves, which eventually may turn bronze and drop off, severely weakening us.
While some pests attack us from above, others target our foundations. The larvae of fungus gnats live in the soil, feeding on our delicate root hairs. This stunts our growth, causes wilting despite adequate water, and makes us generally frail. Above the soil, caterpillars, like the variegated cutworm, may chew through our stems at the base or devour our leaves, leaving large, irregular holes and sometimes severing us completely.
Fungal diseases are a silent, creeping threat. Powdery mildew appears as a white, powdery coating on our leaves and stems. It's unsightly and, over time, causes our leaves to yellow, curl, and die back. It thrives in humid conditions with poor air circulation. A far more serious internal threat is Fusarium Wilt. This soil-borne fungus invades our vascular system—the very veins that carry water and nutrients from our roots upward. It plugs these pathways, causing a one-sided wilting, yellowing of lower leaves, and a characteristic brown discoloration inside the stem. This often proves fatal.
Bacterial diseases can be swift and devastating. Bacterial Wilt, similar to its fungal counterpart, causes a rapid and fatal wilting. You may see a slimy, white ooze from a cut stem. Bacterial Leaf Spot manifests as dark, water-soaked spots on our foliage, which can enlarge and cause leaves to drop. Viral infections, often spread by the sap-sucking pests mentioned earlier, cause a range of symptoms including mosaic patterns of light and dark green on leaves, stunted growth, and malformed flowers. There is no cure for a viral infection.
To aid us, please adopt an integrated approach. For minor pest infestations, a strong spray of water can dislodge aphids and mites. Insecticidal soaps or horticultural oils are effective against many soft-bodied insects. For fungal issues like powdery mildew, improve air circulation around us and consider fungicides. For soil-borne diseases like Fusarium, prevention is key—use sterile potting mix, ensure excellent drainage, and avoid overwatering. Remove and destroy any severely infected parts of us, or in the case of systemic disease, the entire plant, to protect our neighbors. Your vigilant care, including proper spacing, watering at the base, and regular inspection, is our best defense.
