What's eating my kohleria amabilis?

Kohleria amabilis has soft, velvety leaves that readily trap spider mites and thrips. Mealybugs shelter in the hairy leaf axils. As a tuberous Gesneriaceae grown indoors, it does not face outdoor animal pests. Spider mites are the most common and damaging problem, particularly in heated, low-humidity indoor environments.

Stippling and faint bronzing across the velvety leaf surface; fine webbing beneath leaves; the felt-like texture makes webbing harder to spot — look for colour changes first. Raise humidity; mites hate moist air. Wipe both sides of leaves gently with a neem oil or insecticidal soap solution on a damp cloth. Repeat weekly for at least four weeks.

Silver-grey streaks or patches on leaves and petals; dark faecal specks on undersides; flowers develop distorted edges or fail to open fully. Remove and destroy infested flowers and buds promptly. Apply spinosad or insecticidal soap to all plant surfaces, paying close attention to leaf undersides. Blue sticky traps help catch adults.

Fuzzy white colonies lodged deep in leaf axils and between hairy stems; sticky honeydew; weakened, pale new growth. Probe axils with an alcohol-dipped cotton swab. For widespread infestations, treat with neem oil spray repeated every 7–10 days for three to four cycles.