Pest identification
What's eating my hyacinthus orientalis 'city of haarlem'?
Slugs and snails
Signs: Jagged bite marks on the first pale shoots; particularly bad after warm, wet winters.
Control: Apply iron phosphate or ferric phosphate pellets; top-dress containers with sharp grit; set overnight traps.
Aphids
Signs: Dense colonies on florets and stem; honeydew promotes sooty mould and can transmit viruses.
Control: Spray with insecticidal soap or a neem oil solution; remove heavily infested spikes promptly.
Vine weevil (Otiorhynchus sulcatus)
Signs: Sudden wilting; fat cream grubs with brown heads found in compost.
Control: Use nematode treatment (autumn); avoid overwatering, which speeds grub development; use fabric pot liners.
Keep hyacinthus orientalis 'city of haarlem' 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 'city of haarlem' problems & fixes
- Hyacinthus orientalis 'City of Haarlem' watering schedule
- Hyacinthus orientalis 'City of Haarlem' light requirements
- Full hyacinthus orientalis 'city of haarlem' care guide
Hyacinthus orientalis 'City of Haarlem' pests — FAQ
What is eating my hyacinthus orientalis 'city of haarlem'?
Hyacinthus orientalis 'City of Haarlem' (primrose-yellow) shares typical hyacinth vulnerabilities. Slugs shred emerging foliage early in spring, aphids colonise the flower spike, and vine weevil grubs hollow out container bulbs. Squirrels dig up freshly planted bulbs, and mice can tunnel to eat bulbs in very cold winters.
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on hyacinthus orientalis 'city of haarlem'?
Jagged bite marks on the first pale shoots; particularly bad after warm, wet winters. Apply iron phosphate or ferric phosphate pellets; top-dress containers with sharp grit; set overnight traps.
How do I get rid of aphids on hyacinthus orientalis 'city of haarlem'?
Dense colonies on florets and stem; honeydew promotes sooty mould and can transmit viruses. Spray with insecticidal soap or a neem oil solution; remove heavily infested spikes promptly.
How do I get rid of vine weevil (otiorhynchus sulcatus) on hyacinthus orientalis 'city of haarlem'?
Sudden wilting; fat cream grubs with brown heads found in compost. Use nematode treatment (autumn); avoid overwatering, which speeds grub development; use fabric pot liners.