What's eating my galangal?

Galangal (Alpinia galanga) is a robust ginger-family rhizome crop that is largely pest-resistant thanks to its aromatic compounds. The main threat is the shoot borer caterpillar, which tunnels into the central pseudostem. Spider mites and mealybugs can appear on stressed plants. Good drainage and warmth prevent most problems.

Caterpillar larvae bore into the central pseudostem, causing the central shoot to yellow, wilt, and die back (dead heart symptom). Remove and destroy infested pseudostems immediately; apply a pyrethroid spray to the crown area in severe outbreaks.

Pale stippling and fine webbing on leaf undersides, most common in dry indoor or greenhouse conditions. Raise humidity, mist leaves regularly, and apply neem oil or insecticidal soap; repeat every 7 days.

White cottony clusters in leaf axils and at the rhizome crown; sticky honeydew and slowed growth. Dab colonies with a rubbing-alcohol-dipped cotton swab; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil for larger infestations.