Pest identification
What's eating my ceanothus 'concha'?
Scale insects
Signs: Flat or raised waxy bumps on twigs and leaf undersides; prolonged feeding reduces vigour and flowering.
Control: Light infestations: scrub off manually. Heavier: apply horticultural oil in late winter or when crawlers appear.
Aphids
Signs: Colonies on new shoot tips causing honeydew, sooty mould, and minor distortion of young leaves.
Control: Blast with water; insecticidal soap for persistent colonies.
Spider mites
Signs: Fine pale stippling on foliage during hot dry spells; leaves may bronze and drop.
Control: Hose down foliage; horticultural soap spray or predatory mites in severe cases.
Keep ceanothus 'concha' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Ceanothus 'Concha' pests — FAQ
What is eating my ceanothus 'concha'?
Ceanothus 'Concha' is relatively pest-resistant. Scale insects are the primary documented concern, clinging to stems and weakening the shrub's spectacular spring display. Aphids can colonise new growth, and spider mites appear in hot dry spells. Mature, well-drained plants cope well; the key is not over-watering, which stresses the plant.
How do I get rid of scale insects on ceanothus 'concha'?
Flat or raised waxy bumps on twigs and leaf undersides; prolonged feeding reduces vigour and flowering. Light infestations: scrub off manually. Heavier: apply horticultural oil in late winter or when crawlers appear.
How do I get rid of aphids on ceanothus 'concha'?
Colonies on new shoot tips causing honeydew, sooty mould, and minor distortion of young leaves. Blast with water; insecticidal soap for persistent colonies.
How do I get rid of spider mites on ceanothus 'concha'?
Fine pale stippling on foliage during hot dry spells; leaves may bronze and drop. Hose down foliage; horticultural soap spray or predatory mites in severe cases.