Troubleshooting
Lined Sinningia problems — and how to fix them
Lined Sinningia (Sinningia lineata) is generally low-drama, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Caterpillar damage to flower buds
Caterpillars tunnel into unopened buds causing distortion and failure to open; inspect plants grown outdoors in summer and remove larvae by hand or use a biological control such as Bacillus thuringiensis.
Caudex rot from overwatering
The large exposed tuber is very susceptible to rot if compost stays wet; always use a pot with drainage holes and let the compost partly dry between waterings.
Prevent lined sinningia problems before they start
Most lined sinningia issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Lined Sinningia problems — FAQ
Why is my lined sinningia caterpillar damage to flower buds?
Caterpillars tunnel into unopened buds causing distortion and failure to open; inspect plants grown outdoors in summer and remove larvae by hand or use a biological control such as Bacillus thuringiensis.
Why is my lined sinningia caudex rot from overwatering?
The large exposed tuber is very susceptible to rot if compost stays wet; always use a pot with drainage holes and let the compost partly dry between waterings.