Pest identification
What's eating my delphinium 'galahad'?
Slugs and snails
Signs: Crown and emerging shoot destruction at or just below soil level; plants may fail to emerge at all.
Control: Iron phosphate pellets placed around crowns from late winter; copper collars; hand-pick nightly in wet weather.
Aphids
Signs: Sticky colonies on stems and buds; honeydew promotes sooty mould and distorts flower spikes.
Control: Spray insecticidal soap or neem oil; dislodge with water jet; attract natural predators.
Two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae)
Signs: Fine pale stippling across leaves; fine webbing on undersides during hot, dry spells.
Control: Increase humidity around plants; spray with neem oil or predatory mite sachets (Phytoseiulus persimilis) in enclosed areas.
Keep delphinium 'galahad' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Delphinium 'Galahad' pests — FAQ
What is eating my delphinium 'galahad'?
'Galahad' white delphiniums face the same pest pressures as all elatum delphiniums. Slugs are the number-one killer, capable of destroying an entire crown before shoots are visible. Aphids follow closely, colonising stems as they elongate. Mites can be troublesome in hot, dry summers. Protect crowns year-round and check stems weekly during growth.
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on delphinium 'galahad'?
Crown and emerging shoot destruction at or just below soil level; plants may fail to emerge at all. Iron phosphate pellets placed around crowns from late winter; copper collars; hand-pick nightly in wet weather.
How do I get rid of aphids on delphinium 'galahad'?
Sticky colonies on stems and buds; honeydew promotes sooty mould and distorts flower spikes. Spray insecticidal soap or neem oil; dislodge with water jet; attract natural predators.
How do I get rid of two-spotted spider mite (tetranychus urticae) on delphinium 'galahad'?
Fine pale stippling across leaves; fine webbing on undersides during hot, dry spells. Increase humidity around plants; spray with neem oil or predatory mite sachets (Phytoseiulus persimilis) in enclosed areas.