Growli

Pest identification

What's eating my jerusalem artichoke 'red fuseau'?

Slugs and snails

Signs: Young emerging shoots bitten off at soil level in spring; irregular holes in young foliage during wet periods.

Control: Apply iron phosphate pellets around emerging growth; hand-pick at night; use grit mulch over planting area in early spring.

Aphids (various species)

Signs: Colonies on upper stem leaves and flower buds in late summer; generally minor on this vigorous, tall-growing plant.

Control: Encourage natural predators; a strong water jet usually suffices; rarely needs treatment as plant outgrows infestations.

Voles and squirrels

Signs: Tubers dug up and eaten in autumn and winter; disturbed soil and missing or partially eaten tubers at harvest.

Control: Harvest promptly when mature; protect stored tubers in rodent-proof containers; bury wire mesh below the planting bed if voles are present.

Keep jerusalem artichoke 'red fuseau' pest-free

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Jerusalem Artichoke 'Red Fuseau' pests — FAQ

What is eating my jerusalem artichoke 'red fuseau'?

Jerusalem artichoke 'Red Fuseau' is notably pest-resistant but slugs attack emerging shoots in spring, and aphids can colonise the tall foliage in summer. Slugs are the most consistently damaging pest. Deer will browse the tall leafy stems where present, and squirrels or voles may dig up tubers in autumn.

How do I get rid of slugs and snails on jerusalem artichoke 'red fuseau'?

Young emerging shoots bitten off at soil level in spring; irregular holes in young foliage during wet periods. Apply iron phosphate pellets around emerging growth; hand-pick at night; use grit mulch over planting area in early spring.

How do I get rid of aphids (various species) on jerusalem artichoke 'red fuseau'?

Colonies on upper stem leaves and flower buds in late summer; generally minor on this vigorous, tall-growing plant. Encourage natural predators; a strong water jet usually suffices; rarely needs treatment as plant outgrows infestations.

How do I get rid of voles and squirrels on jerusalem artichoke 'red fuseau'?

Tubers dug up and eaten in autumn and winter; disturbed soil and missing or partially eaten tubers at harvest. Harvest promptly when mature; protect stored tubers in rodent-proof containers; bury wire mesh below the planting bed if voles are present.