Pest identification
What's eating my greig's tulip?
Squirrels & mice
Signs: Bulbs dug up and eaten; missing plants after autumn planting with disturbed soil as evidence.
Control: Chicken wire mesh laid over beds; bulb cages or mesh baskets; container planting with wire covers.
Slugs & snails
Signs: Holes in broad, low leaves and petals; damage concentrated close to soil level.
Control: Iron-phosphate pellets at shoot emergence; grit mulch; hand-pick at night when conditions are damp.
Tulip bulb aphid (Dysaphis tulipae)
Signs: Colonies on bulbs and growing stems; can spread tulip breaking virus causing colour break in petals.
Control: Inspect bulbs at lifting; destroy infected stock; insecticidal soap on growing plant colonies.
Keep greig's tulip pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Greig's Tulip pests — FAQ
What is eating my greig's tulip?
Greig's tulip has distinctive mottled foliage that can be confused with virus damage, but the markings are natural. True threats include squirrels and rodents eating bulbs, slugs on emerging shoots, and aphids transmitting tulip breaking virus. Its low stature makes slug damage particularly visible. Protect bulbs with wire mesh and monitor for aphids.
How do I get rid of squirrels & mice on greig's tulip?
Bulbs dug up and eaten; missing plants after autumn planting with disturbed soil as evidence. Chicken wire mesh laid over beds; bulb cages or mesh baskets; container planting with wire covers.
How do I get rid of slugs & snails on greig's tulip?
Holes in broad, low leaves and petals; damage concentrated close to soil level. Iron-phosphate pellets at shoot emergence; grit mulch; hand-pick at night when conditions are damp.
How do I get rid of tulip bulb aphid (dysaphis tulipae) on greig's tulip?
Colonies on bulbs and growing stems; can spread tulip breaking virus causing colour break in petals. Inspect bulbs at lifting; destroy infected stock; insecticidal soap on growing plant colonies.