Pest identification
What's eating my crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'emily mckenzie'?
Thrips
Signs: Silver-streaked petals on the large, bi-colored flowers; scarred foliage in hot, dry weather.
Control: Irrigate during dry spells; spray neem oil or insecticidal soap; remove and dispose of worst-affected flowers.
Spider mites
Signs: Pale, stippled bronze patches on leaf surfaces; faint webbing visible on leaf undersides.
Control: Increase humidity by misting; apply predatory mites (Phytoseiulus persimilis); use neem oil spray.
Aphids
Signs: Small colonies on new shoot tips in spring causing stickiness and mild distortion.
Control: Blast off with water; apply insecticidal soap; encourage natural predators in the garden border.
Keep crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'emily mckenzie' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
- What's wrong with my plant? — the diagnosis apps compared
- Common crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'emily mckenzie' problems & fixes
- Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Emily McKenzie' watering schedule
- Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Emily McKenzie' light requirements
- Full crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'emily mckenzie' care guide
Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Emily McKenzie' pests — FAQ
What is eating my crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'emily mckenzie'?
Crocosmia 'Emily McKenzie' faces the same garden pest pressures as other crocosmias. Thrips damage the distinctive orange-and-mahogany blooms with silver streaking. Spider mites cause bronzed, stippled foliage in dry summers. Aphids gather on young shoots. Rabbits may browse new growth. Thrips are the most damaging pest on the ornamental flowers of this cultivar.
How do I get rid of thrips on crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'emily mckenzie'?
Silver-streaked petals on the large, bi-colored flowers; scarred foliage in hot, dry weather. Irrigate during dry spells; spray neem oil or insecticidal soap; remove and dispose of worst-affected flowers.
How do I get rid of spider mites on crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'emily mckenzie'?
Pale, stippled bronze patches on leaf surfaces; faint webbing visible on leaf undersides. Increase humidity by misting; apply predatory mites (Phytoseiulus persimilis); use neem oil spray.
How do I get rid of aphids on crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'emily mckenzie'?
Small colonies on new shoot tips in spring causing stickiness and mild distortion. Blast off with water; apply insecticidal soap; encourage natural predators in the garden border.