Pest identification
What's eating my painted lady gladiolus?
Thrips
Signs: Silvery streaks or bronzed patches on leaves; petals develop pale scarring and flowers may fail to open.
Control: Spray with spinosad or insecticidal soap; use blue sticky traps; remove and bin heavily infested material.
Aphids
Signs: Soft stems and buds colonised by clusters of insects; sticky honeydew and sooty mould follow.
Control: Water jet to dislodge; neem oil or insecticidal soap spray; encourage predatory insects.
Slugs and snails
Signs: Holes and tears in young shoots; slime trails on soil surface.
Control: Iron phosphate pellets; hand-pick at night; remove debris where slugs shelter.
Keep painted lady gladiolus pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Painted Lady Gladiolus pests — FAQ
What is eating my painted lady gladiolus?
Painted Lady Gladiolus (Gladiolus carneus) is susceptible to thrips, which scar and silver petals and leaves, and to aphids on tender new growth. Slugs and snails damage emerging shoots, while dry-rot fungus (Fusarium) can destroy corms in storage — inspect and discard any soft or discoloured corms before replanting.
How do I get rid of thrips on painted lady gladiolus?
Silvery streaks or bronzed patches on leaves; petals develop pale scarring and flowers may fail to open. Spray with spinosad or insecticidal soap; use blue sticky traps; remove and bin heavily infested material.
How do I get rid of aphids on painted lady gladiolus?
Soft stems and buds colonised by clusters of insects; sticky honeydew and sooty mould follow. Water jet to dislodge; neem oil or insecticidal soap spray; encourage predatory insects.
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on painted lady gladiolus?
Holes and tears in young shoots; slime trails on soil surface. Iron phosphate pellets; hand-pick at night; remove debris where slugs shelter.