What's eating my reitz's sinningia?

Reitz's sinningia (Sinningia reitzii) is a red-flowered tuberous Brazilian plant grown indoors or in frost-free gardens. Aphids and spider mites are the main threats. If kept outdoors in summer, thrips can scar the flowers. Fungus gnats attack roots in wet indoor potting mix.

Green or black colonies on stems and flower buds; sticky honeydew; distorted or aborted flowers Blast with water; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; repeat every 5–7 days until clear

Pale stippling across leaf surfaces; fine webbing under leaves in warm, dry indoor air Raise humidity; spray neem oil on leaf undersides; repeat weekly; avoid water stress which worsens infestations

Silver streaks or scarring on petals and leaves; tiny dark frass dots; flowers look bleached Remove affected flowers; apply spinosad or insecticidal soap; use blue sticky traps to monitor

Larvae eat fine roots and the tuber surface in wet compost; poor growth and sudden wilting Allow compost to dry between waterings; use Bti drench; sticky yellow traps for adults