Pest identification
What's eating my matthiola incana 'giant imperial mix'?
Cabbage aphids (Brevicoryne brassicae)
Signs: Waxy grey-green colonies densely packed on stems and flower buds; stunted growth and sooty mould.
Control: Insecticidal soap or neem oil spray; knock off with water; encourage parasitic wasps and ladybirds.
Flea beetles
Signs: Leaves peppered with small round holes — worst on seedlings and transplants; plants look scorched when heavy.
Control: Fine insect-proof mesh over rows; keep soil moist; diatomaceous earth around stems; delay transplanting until plants are larger.
Caterpillars (cabbage white butterfly)
Signs: Chewed holes in foliage from small pits to skeleton leaves depending on caterpillar size.
Control: Handpick eggs and larvae; fine mesh exclusion netting; Bt spray applied to foliage.
Slugs and snails
Signs: Young plants chewed to the ground overnight; slime trails on soil and lower stems.
Control: Iron phosphate bait; gritty mulch barrier; water in mornings; hand-pick after dark.
Keep matthiola incana 'giant imperial mix' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
- What eats stock — the species this cultivar belongs to
- What's wrong with my plant? — the diagnosis apps compared
- Common matthiola incana 'giant imperial mix' problems & fixes
- Matthiola incana 'Giant Imperial Mix' watering schedule
- Matthiola incana 'Giant Imperial Mix' light requirements
- Full matthiola incana 'giant imperial mix' care guide
Matthiola incana 'Giant Imperial Mix' pests — FAQ
What is eating my matthiola incana 'giant imperial mix'?
Stock 'Giant Imperial Mix' is a tall Brassicaceae flower fully susceptible to that family's pests. Cabbage aphids pack densely onto stems and buds. Flea beetles create shothole damage on leaves. Caterpillars of cabbage white butterflies eat foliage. Slugs and snails threaten seedlings, and rabbits readily browse stocks at ground level.
How do I get rid of cabbage aphids (brevicoryne brassicae) on matthiola incana 'giant imperial mix'?
Waxy grey-green colonies densely packed on stems and flower buds; stunted growth and sooty mould. Insecticidal soap or neem oil spray; knock off with water; encourage parasitic wasps and ladybirds.
How do I get rid of flea beetles on matthiola incana 'giant imperial mix'?
Leaves peppered with small round holes — worst on seedlings and transplants; plants look scorched when heavy. Fine insect-proof mesh over rows; keep soil moist; diatomaceous earth around stems; delay transplanting until plants are larger.
How do I get rid of caterpillars (cabbage white butterfly) on matthiola incana 'giant imperial mix'?
Chewed holes in foliage from small pits to skeleton leaves depending on caterpillar size. Handpick eggs and larvae; fine mesh exclusion netting; Bt spray applied to foliage.
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on matthiola incana 'giant imperial mix'?
Young plants chewed to the ground overnight; slime trails on soil and lower stems. Iron phosphate bait; gritty mulch barrier; water in mornings; hand-pick after dark.