Pest identification
What's eating my geranium sanguineum 'max frei'?
Vine weevil
Signs: Notched leaf margins from adults; root and crown destruction by creamy white grubs leading to sudden wilt
Control: Apply nematode solution (Steinernema kraussei) to moist soil in late summer; especially important for pot-grown plants; replace infested compost
Slugs and snails
Signs: Ragged holes in emerging leaves in spring and after rainfall; silvery slime trails evident
Control: Ferric phosphate pellets around crowns; hand-pick at night; grit mulch deters surface movement
Aphids
Signs: Sticky honeydew and curled shoot tips on new growth; generally minor and transient
Control: Squash small colonies by hand; spray with insecticidal soap; relies naturally on predator populations building up
Keep geranium sanguineum 'max frei' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
- What eats geranium sanguineum — the species this cultivar belongs to
- What's wrong with my plant? — the diagnosis apps compared
- Common geranium sanguineum 'max frei' problems & fixes
- Geranium sanguineum 'Max Frei' watering schedule
- Geranium sanguineum 'Max Frei' light requirements
- Full geranium sanguineum 'max frei' care guide
Geranium sanguineum 'Max Frei' pests — FAQ
What is eating my geranium sanguineum 'max frei'?
Geranium sanguineum 'Max Frei' is a compact, low-growing cranesbill that is generally pest-resistant. Vine weevil poses the greatest risk, particularly to container-grown plants where larvae can devastate root systems. Slugs target new growth in spring, and aphids may occasionally colonize soft shoot tips.
How do I get rid of vine weevil on geranium sanguineum 'max frei'?
Notched leaf margins from adults; root and crown destruction by creamy white grubs leading to sudden wilt Apply nematode solution (Steinernema kraussei) to moist soil in late summer; especially important for pot-grown plants; replace infested compost
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on geranium sanguineum 'max frei'?
Ragged holes in emerging leaves in spring and after rainfall; silvery slime trails evident Ferric phosphate pellets around crowns; hand-pick at night; grit mulch deters surface movement
How do I get rid of aphids on geranium sanguineum 'max frei'?
Sticky honeydew and curled shoot tips on new growth; generally minor and transient Squash small colonies by hand; spray with insecticidal soap; relies naturally on predator populations building up