Pest identification
What's eating my pelargonium 'stellar hannaford star'?
Aphids
Signs: Soft colonies on shoot tips and opening buds; sticky honeydew, sooty mould, and misshapen flowers.
Control: Knock off with water jets; apply insecticidal soap or dilute neem oil solution; repeat every 7–10 days.
Caterpillars
Signs: Ragged holes eaten through leaves and petals; stellar-type's deeply lobed leaves can hide small larvae.
Control: Inspect regularly and remove by hand; apply Bt spray targeting young caterpillars; clear dead-leaf debris.
Vine weevil
Signs: Grubs consume roots leading to wilting and collapse in containers; adults notch leaf edges at night.
Control: Use nematode drench (Steinernema kraussei) August–September; biological control most effective at soil temperatures above 5 °C.
Whitefly
Signs: White adults on undersides; leaves yellowing and sticky with honeydew, covered in black sooty mould.
Control: Install yellow sticky traps; spray with insecticidal soap or pyrethrin-based product at regular weekly intervals.
Keep pelargonium 'stellar hannaford star' pest-free
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Pelargonium 'Stellar Hannaford Star' pests — FAQ
What is eating my pelargonium 'stellar hannaford star'?
Pelargonium 'Hannaford Star', a stellar-type with finely cut petals, is most commonly attacked by aphids congregating on its soft shoot tips. Caterpillars, vine weevil, and whitefly are secondary pests. The plant's typical pelargonium scent makes it unattractive to deer and rabbits in outdoor beds and containers.
How do I get rid of aphids on pelargonium 'stellar hannaford star'?
Soft colonies on shoot tips and opening buds; sticky honeydew, sooty mould, and misshapen flowers. Knock off with water jets; apply insecticidal soap or dilute neem oil solution; repeat every 7–10 days.
How do I get rid of caterpillars on pelargonium 'stellar hannaford star'?
Ragged holes eaten through leaves and petals; stellar-type's deeply lobed leaves can hide small larvae. Inspect regularly and remove by hand; apply Bt spray targeting young caterpillars; clear dead-leaf debris.
How do I get rid of vine weevil on pelargonium 'stellar hannaford star'?
Grubs consume roots leading to wilting and collapse in containers; adults notch leaf edges at night. Use nematode drench (Steinernema kraussei) August–September; biological control most effective at soil temperatures above 5 °C.
How do I get rid of whitefly on pelargonium 'stellar hannaford star'?
White adults on undersides; leaves yellowing and sticky with honeydew, covered in black sooty mould. Install yellow sticky traps; spray with insecticidal soap or pyrethrin-based product at regular weekly intervals.