Pest identification
What's eating my sinningia 'empress'?
Thrips
Signs: Silver-grey streaking on velvety leaves and petals; tiny dark frass; flowers deformed or fail to open
Control: Remove infested flowers immediately; apply spinosad or insecticidal soap; use sticky blue traps indoors; repeat every 5–7 days
Aphids
Signs: Clusters of small soft insects on young shoots and buds; distorted growth; sticky honeydew on lower leaves
Control: Blast off with a gentle jet of water; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; introduce Aphidius parasitoid wasps in a conservatory setting
Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony deposits in leaf axils; leaves yellow and plant loses vitality
Control: Dab with isopropyl alcohol; treat with neem oil spray; isolate plant immediately to prevent spread to nearby gesneriads
Fungus gnats
Signs: Larvae damage fine roots in peaty compost; adults are a persistent nuisance
Control: Allow the top inch of compost to dry before re-watering; use Bti drench; cover soil with a thin layer of grit
Keep sinningia 'empress' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Sinningia 'Empress' pests — FAQ
What is eating my sinningia 'empress'?
Sinningia 'Empress' is a tender indoor gesneriad with soft velvety leaves that attract thrips and aphids. Mealybugs settle in leaf axils. Fungus gnats thrive in the moist peaty compost these plants prefer. Avoid wetting the hairy leaves when watering, as moisture traps pests and encourages botrytis.
How do I get rid of thrips on sinningia 'empress'?
Silver-grey streaking on velvety leaves and petals; tiny dark frass; flowers deformed or fail to open Remove infested flowers immediately; apply spinosad or insecticidal soap; use sticky blue traps indoors; repeat every 5–7 days
How do I get rid of aphids on sinningia 'empress'?
Clusters of small soft insects on young shoots and buds; distorted growth; sticky honeydew on lower leaves Blast off with a gentle jet of water; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; introduce Aphidius parasitoid wasps in a conservatory setting
How do I get rid of mealybugs on sinningia 'empress'?
White cottony deposits in leaf axils; leaves yellow and plant loses vitality Dab with isopropyl alcohol; treat with neem oil spray; isolate plant immediately to prevent spread to nearby gesneriads
How do I get rid of fungus gnats on sinningia 'empress'?
Larvae damage fine roots in peaty compost; adults are a persistent nuisance Allow the top inch of compost to dry before re-watering; use Bti drench; cover soil with a thin layer of grit