Pest identification
What's eating my african marigold 'crackerjack'?
Spider mites
Signs: Stippled, yellowing foliage with fine webbing; plants weaken rapidly in hot, dry spells.
Control: Spray undersides of leaves thoroughly with insecticidal soap or neem oil every 5–7 days. Overhead watering in the morning can help suppress populations.
Japanese beetle
Signs: Large petals and upper leaves skeletonised; green-bronze beetles visible feeding in full sun.
Control: Hand-pick into soapy water morning and evening. Apply neem oil spray as a feeding deterrent. Do not use pheromone traps close to plantings.
Aphids
Signs: Clusters on new growth and flower buds; honeydew coats foliage and can lead to sooty mould.
Control: Blast off with a firm water spray; follow with insecticidal soap if colonies persist. Attract beneficial insects by interplanting with alyssum or dill.
Caterpillars (budworms)
Signs: Flower buds hollowed; ragged holes in leaves and petals, often with frass nearby.
Control: Hand-pick at dusk. Apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray targeting young caterpillars on foliage.
Keep african marigold 'crackerjack' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
- What eats african marigold — the species this cultivar belongs to
- What's wrong with my plant? — the diagnosis apps compared
- Common african marigold 'crackerjack' problems & fixes
- African Marigold 'Crackerjack' watering schedule
- African Marigold 'Crackerjack' light requirements
- Full african marigold 'crackerjack' care guide
African Marigold 'Crackerjack' pests — FAQ
What is eating my african marigold 'crackerjack'?
African Marigold 'Crackerjack' faces spider mites as its main foe in summer heat, with Japanese beetles shredding the large blooms mid-season. Caterpillars and aphids are secondary threats. The tall, dense flower heads can trap moisture and encourage grey mould in wet weather — good air circulation is key.
How do I get rid of spider mites on african marigold 'crackerjack'?
Stippled, yellowing foliage with fine webbing; plants weaken rapidly in hot, dry spells. Spray undersides of leaves thoroughly with insecticidal soap or neem oil every 5–7 days. Overhead watering in the morning can help suppress populations.
How do I get rid of japanese beetle on african marigold 'crackerjack'?
Large petals and upper leaves skeletonised; green-bronze beetles visible feeding in full sun. Hand-pick into soapy water morning and evening. Apply neem oil spray as a feeding deterrent. Do not use pheromone traps close to plantings.
How do I get rid of aphids on african marigold 'crackerjack'?
Clusters on new growth and flower buds; honeydew coats foliage and can lead to sooty mould. Blast off with a firm water spray; follow with insecticidal soap if colonies persist. Attract beneficial insects by interplanting with alyssum or dill.
How do I get rid of caterpillars (budworms) on african marigold 'crackerjack'?
Flower buds hollowed; ragged holes in leaves and petals, often with frass nearby. Hand-pick at dusk. Apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray targeting young caterpillars on foliage.