What's eating my pelargonium 'paul crampel'?

Pelargonium 'Paul Crampel', a classic vigorous scarlet zonal geranium widely grown in containers and bedding, is most threatened by aphids and vine weevil. Geranium sawfly and caterpillars can damage leaves in summer. Whitefly can build up on established plants. Its vigour means it recovers well from light infestations if treated promptly.

Shoot tips curl and become sticky; honeydew promotes sooty mould; green or greyish colonies visible on new growth. Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; repeat weekly; use companion planting with French marigolds to attract aphid predators.

Plant wilts and collapses in summer; white grubs eating the root system found in container compost. Apply Steinernema kraussei nematodes to damp compost in late summer; use preventive vine weevil drench at planting.

Leaves skeletonised or showing papery, lacy patches from larvae feeding on the underside. Check and hand-pick larvae weekly from late May; spray pyrethrum or spinosad if infestation is widespread.

White insects fly from disturbed foliage; leaves pale and coated in sticky honeydew. Deploy yellow sticky traps; spray insecticidal soap or fatty acid spray on leaf undersides; repeat every 5 days.