Pest identification
What's eating my hyacinthus orientalis 'carnegie'?
Slugs and snails
Signs: Holes and serrated margins on shoots as they emerge; particularly damaging in damp spring weather.
Control: Use iron phosphate pellets or wool-pellet barriers; improve drainage to reduce slug habitat; hand-pick at night.
Aphids
Signs: Sticky residue on florets; green or grey insects clustered between individual flowers on the spike.
Control: Rinse spike with water; apply insecticidal soap; on forced indoor plants, isolate and treat promptly.
Vine weevil (Otiorhynchus sulcatus)
Signs: Container plant droops and can be lifted free of compost; grubs ring-bark the bulb base.
Control: Apply Steinernema kraussei nematodes to moist compost in autumn; repot annually and inspect bulbs for grubs.
Keep hyacinthus orientalis 'carnegie' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
- What eats hyacinth — the species this cultivar belongs to
- What's wrong with my plant? — the diagnosis apps compared
- Common hyacinthus orientalis 'carnegie' problems & fixes
- Hyacinthus orientalis 'Carnegie' watering schedule
- Hyacinthus orientalis 'Carnegie' light requirements
- Full hyacinthus orientalis 'carnegie' care guide
Hyacinthus orientalis 'Carnegie' pests — FAQ
What is eating my hyacinthus orientalis 'carnegie'?
Hyacinthus orientalis 'Carnegie' produces pure-white spikes prized for forcing indoors and outdoor borders. Slugs are the top garden threat, shredding soft new shoots. Aphids cluster on forced or outdoor flower spikes. Vine weevil grubs attack container bulbs, and squirrels dig up freshly planted bulbs in autumn.
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on hyacinthus orientalis 'carnegie'?
Holes and serrated margins on shoots as they emerge; particularly damaging in damp spring weather. Use iron phosphate pellets or wool-pellet barriers; improve drainage to reduce slug habitat; hand-pick at night.
How do I get rid of aphids on hyacinthus orientalis 'carnegie'?
Sticky residue on florets; green or grey insects clustered between individual flowers on the spike. Rinse spike with water; apply insecticidal soap; on forced indoor plants, isolate and treat promptly.
How do I get rid of vine weevil (otiorhynchus sulcatus) on hyacinthus orientalis 'carnegie'?
Container plant droops and can be lifted free of compost; grubs ring-bark the bulb base. Apply Steinernema kraussei nematodes to moist compost in autumn; repot annually and inspect bulbs for grubs.