Growli

Pest identification

What's eating my pelargonium 'prince of orange'?

Aphids

Signs: Dense clusters on new shoots and stem tips; sticky honeydew, leaf curl, and sooty mould.

Control: Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; dislodge with water jet; introduce Aphidius parasitic wasps in greenhouse or conservatory.

Whitefly

Signs: Tiny white adult flies on leaf undersides; yellowing, sticky leaves with developing sooty mould.

Control: Yellow sticky traps; weekly insecticidal soap or pyrethrin spray; improve air circulation around the plant.

Spider mites

Signs: Pale stippling and fine webbing on leaf undersides; foliage bronzes in warm, dry indoor conditions.

Control: Increase humidity by misting; apply neem oil; use predatory mites (Phytoseiulus persimilis) for biological control.

Vine weevil

Signs: Notched leaf margins from nocturnal adult feeding; grubs devour roots causing sudden pot plant collapse.

Control: Apply pathogenic nematode drench in late summer; inspect and clean root ball when repotting.

Keep pelargonium 'prince of orange' pest-free

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Pelargonium 'Prince of Orange' pests — FAQ

What is eating my pelargonium 'prince of orange'?

Pelargonium 'Prince of Orange', an orange-scented cultivar, is most frequently attacked by aphids on soft new growth, whitefly beneath leaves, and spider mites in warm, dry conditions indoors. Vine weevil can destroy root systems in containers. Aphids are the primary pest concern for this cultivar.

How do I get rid of aphids on pelargonium 'prince of orange'?

Dense clusters on new shoots and stem tips; sticky honeydew, leaf curl, and sooty mould. Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; dislodge with water jet; introduce Aphidius parasitic wasps in greenhouse or conservatory.

How do I get rid of whitefly on pelargonium 'prince of orange'?

Tiny white adult flies on leaf undersides; yellowing, sticky leaves with developing sooty mould. Yellow sticky traps; weekly insecticidal soap or pyrethrin spray; improve air circulation around the plant.

How do I get rid of spider mites on pelargonium 'prince of orange'?

Pale stippling and fine webbing on leaf undersides; foliage bronzes in warm, dry indoor conditions. Increase humidity by misting; apply neem oil; use predatory mites (Phytoseiulus persimilis) for biological control.

How do I get rid of vine weevil on pelargonium 'prince of orange'?

Notched leaf margins from nocturnal adult feeding; grubs devour roots causing sudden pot plant collapse. Apply pathogenic nematode drench in late summer; inspect and clean root ball when repotting.