What's eating my gladiolus 'espresso'?

'Espresso' gladiolus, prized for its deep chocolate-brown tones, faces the same pest pressures as all glads: thrips are the worst, rasping blooms and living in stored corms over winter. Aphids and slugs also attack. Treat corms before lifting and inspect plants weekly during the flowering season.

Pale silver flecking on petals; flower spikes fail to open fully; dark flecks under corm tunic in storage Dust corms with insecticide before storing; spray spinosad at first bud sign; destroy heavily infested corms

Wilting, distorted leaves; sticky honeydew attracting ants; possible mosaic virus spread Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; introduce ladybirds; avoid high-nitrogen feeding that promotes soft growth

Chewed emerging shoots; ragged notches in lower leaves; slime trails on soil surface Apply ferric phosphate pellets; hand-pick after dark; keep growing area free of debris