Growli

Pest identification

What's eating my hyacinthus orientalis 'woodstock'?

Slugs and snails

Signs: Ragged notches in new shoot tips; worse in heavy clay soils that stay moist.

Control: Scatter iron phosphate pellets; place crushed eggshell or grit around emerging shoots; set beer traps.

Aphids

Signs: Clusters of small insects on stems and between florets; sticky honeydew and possible virus spread.

Control: Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; introduce or encourage aphid predators such as ladybirds.

Vine weevil (Otiorhynchus sulcatus)

Signs: Plants collapse; cream grubs visible in compost around the bulb base.

Control: Water nematodes into pots in September; add a layer of horticultural grit on pot surface to deter egg-laying adults.

Keep hyacinthus orientalis 'woodstock' pest-free

Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:

Hyacinthus orientalis 'Woodstock' pests — FAQ

What is eating my hyacinthus orientalis 'woodstock'?

Hyacinthus orientalis 'Woodstock' attracts the same pests as other hyacinths: slugs are the primary nuisance on emerging shoots, aphids congregate on flower spikes, and vine weevil grubs can destroy container-grown bulbs. Its mild toxicity reduces animal browsing, though squirrels will dig up newly planted bulbs.

How do I get rid of slugs and snails on hyacinthus orientalis 'woodstock'?

Ragged notches in new shoot tips; worse in heavy clay soils that stay moist. Scatter iron phosphate pellets; place crushed eggshell or grit around emerging shoots; set beer traps.

How do I get rid of aphids on hyacinthus orientalis 'woodstock'?

Clusters of small insects on stems and between florets; sticky honeydew and possible virus spread. Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; introduce or encourage aphid predators such as ladybirds.

How do I get rid of vine weevil (otiorhynchus sulcatus) on hyacinthus orientalis 'woodstock'?

Plants collapse; cream grubs visible in compost around the bulb base. Water nematodes into pots in September; add a layer of horticultural grit on pot surface to deter egg-laying adults.