What's eating my pelargonium 'deacon barbecue'?

Pelargonium 'Deacon Barbecue', a compact miniature zonal geranium, is most troubled by aphids clustering on its dense shoot tips and vine weevil attacking roots in containers. Geranium sawfly and whitefly can also cause damage in summer. Its compact habit means infestations can spread quickly through the dense growth.

Dense compact growth traps aphid colonies; sticky honeydew coats leaves and flower buds; sooty mould follows. Spray thoroughly into the dense foliage with insecticidal soap or neem oil; repeat weekly; improve air circulation by light trimming.

Plant fails to thrive or collapses; white grubs found in container compost eating roots. Apply nematode drench annually in late summer; repot each spring and inspect root ball for grubs.

Clouds of tiny white insects disturbed from foliage; pale, sticky leaves with sooty mould. Yellow sticky traps; insecticidal soap or fatty acid spray applied to leaf undersides; repeat treatments weekly.