Troubleshooting
Pink Penny Cranesbill problems — and how to fix them
Pink Penny Cranesbill (Geranium 'Pink Penny') is generally forgiving once you match its basics, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Vine weevil
Root-feeding grubs cause sudden wilting and plant death, particularly in containers or sandy soils; apply biological control nematodes (Steinernema kraussei) in late August to early September while soil is above 5 °C.
Powdery mildew
White, powdery coating on foliage in warm, dry spells — more common when plants are stressed by drought; water regularly at the base, improve spacing for airflow, and remove badly affected leaves.
Geranium sawfly
Larvae skeletonise leaves from May onwards; inspect the undersides of leaves weekly and remove caterpillars by hand, or apply a pyrethrin-based spray at first signs of damage.
Prevent pink penny cranesbill problems before they start
Most pink penny cranesbill issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Pink Penny Cranesbill problems — FAQ
Why is my pink penny cranesbill vine weevil?
Root-feeding grubs cause sudden wilting and plant death, particularly in containers or sandy soils; apply biological control nematodes (Steinernema kraussei) in late August to early September while soil is above 5 °C.
Why is my pink penny cranesbill powdery mildew?
White, powdery coating on foliage in warm, dry spells — more common when plants are stressed by drought; water regularly at the base, improve spacing for airflow, and remove badly affected leaves.
Why is my pink penny cranesbill geranium sawfly?
Larvae skeletonise leaves from May onwards; inspect the undersides of leaves weekly and remove caterpillars by hand, or apply a pyrethrin-based spray at first signs of damage.