Pest identification
What's eating my pelargonium fulgidum?
Aphids
Signs: Dense colonies on young shoots and flower buds cause distorted growth, honeydew deposits, and sooty mould.
Control: Knock off with a strong water jet; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil. Repeat every 5–7 days until populations are eliminated.
Geranium bronze butterfly (Cacyreus marshalli)
Signs: Larvae bore into flower stems and buds, leaving frass; shoots wilt and flower buds fail to open.
Control: Remove and destroy affected stems. Spray with spinosad or pyrethrin. Inspect new buds weekly throughout the flowering season.
Whitefly
Signs: Tiny white flies on leaf undersides cause yellowing and honeydew deposits; infestations worsen in conservatory or glass conditions.
Control: Use yellow sticky traps and insecticidal soap spray. Introduce Encarsia formosa as a biological control under glass.
Keep pelargonium fulgidum pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Pelargonium fulgidum pests — FAQ
What is eating my pelargonium fulgidum?
Pelargonium fulgidum is a shrubby flowering pelargonium with vivid scarlet flowers, grown outdoors or as a conservatory plant. Aphids are its most frequent pest, targeting new shoots and buds. Geranium bronze butterfly caterpillars are a serious outdoor threat in the UK. Whitefly and vine weevil are secondary concerns in containers.
How do I get rid of aphids on pelargonium fulgidum?
Dense colonies on young shoots and flower buds cause distorted growth, honeydew deposits, and sooty mould. Knock off with a strong water jet; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil. Repeat every 5–7 days until populations are eliminated.
How do I get rid of geranium bronze butterfly (cacyreus marshalli) on pelargonium fulgidum?
Larvae bore into flower stems and buds, leaving frass; shoots wilt and flower buds fail to open. Remove and destroy affected stems. Spray with spinosad or pyrethrin. Inspect new buds weekly throughout the flowering season.
How do I get rid of whitefly on pelargonium fulgidum?
Tiny white flies on leaf undersides cause yellowing and honeydew deposits; infestations worsen in conservatory or glass conditions. Use yellow sticky traps and insecticidal soap spray. Introduce Encarsia formosa as a biological control under glass.