Pest identification
What's eating my nemesia strumosa 'poetry blue'?
Aphids
Signs: Dense clusters on flower spikes and new growth; sticky deposits; distorted buds and stunted shoots.
Control: Blast off with water; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray every 5 days. Deadhead regularly to remove hiding sites.
Slugs & snails
Signs: Young seedlings and newly planted specimens shredded at soil level overnight; silvery trails left behind.
Control: Use iron-phosphate pellets around plants; sink beer traps nearby; protect transplants with grit or crushed shell mulch.
Whitefly
Signs: White insects rise in a cloud when foliage is disturbed; honeydew, sooty mould, and leaf yellowing follow.
Control: Set yellow sticky traps early to detect; spray with insecticidal soap or pyrethrin. Move containers to increase airflow.
Keep nemesia strumosa 'poetry blue' pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
- What eats cape jewels — the species this cultivar belongs to
- What's wrong with my plant? — the diagnosis apps compared
- Common nemesia strumosa 'poetry blue' problems & fixes
- Nemesia strumosa 'Poetry Blue' watering schedule
- Nemesia strumosa 'Poetry Blue' light requirements
- Full nemesia strumosa 'poetry blue' care guide
Nemesia strumosa 'Poetry Blue' pests — FAQ
What is eating my nemesia strumosa 'poetry blue'?
Nemesia 'Poetry Blue' is most frequently attacked by aphids on its soft flower stems. In cool spring conditions slugs target young plants. Whitefly can build up in warm sheltered spots. Nemesia is also susceptible to root rots in waterlogged conditions but true insect root pests are less common outdoors.
How do I get rid of aphids on nemesia strumosa 'poetry blue'?
Dense clusters on flower spikes and new growth; sticky deposits; distorted buds and stunted shoots. Blast off with water; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray every 5 days. Deadhead regularly to remove hiding sites.
How do I get rid of slugs & snails on nemesia strumosa 'poetry blue'?
Young seedlings and newly planted specimens shredded at soil level overnight; silvery trails left behind. Use iron-phosphate pellets around plants; sink beer traps nearby; protect transplants with grit or crushed shell mulch.
How do I get rid of whitefly on nemesia strumosa 'poetry blue'?
White insects rise in a cloud when foliage is disturbed; honeydew, sooty mould, and leaf yellowing follow. Set yellow sticky traps early to detect; spray with insecticidal soap or pyrethrin. Move containers to increase airflow.