Pests, Diseases and Cures

Thanks for all your messages. I really appreciate it. I've given the excess fertiliser a good hose down to spread and hopefully it'll wash away..Hope the Hydrangea will be okay. I probably need to learn to be more patient when it comes to gardening.

Was squashing evil weevils last night. The grubs are changing into adults atm in pots outside too. Time for chemicals,nematodes etc etc

Yes I think probably wasn't quite ready, there were only a couple there and I thought it looked pretty but the poor thing is really not looking well! Think I'll stick to azaleas, I've been looking for a yellow one

It's Cafe au Lait, think it will be on the larger size. I will stake as well.

Thanks All. You know, looking at E.Ebbingei images online it actually does look like what I have. And apparently it’s pretty hardy so should hopefully be fine in the soil I have. Might still feed it anyway and keep an eye on it!

Many thanks!

@Pollys13and self seeds if given a chance, makes a good present for those you don't like. I would have thought glyphosate would shift get one formulated for tough weeds.

Again today, in another pot, I'm certain we don't have a fox, I've had a crow in and around the pots but I don't think it's that. I've got some mesh I'm going to make a temporary cage.

Horray for box blight. When we bought our home in December 2019, box bushes were everywhere and my wife loved them.Then after the box blight I was finally allowed to kill them off one by one because it made them look bad.Now I have enough room to plant whatever I want. So THANK YOU

It could be shock over winter but looks more likely photinia Leaf spot. Photinia leaf spot is a fungus attack and the best way of tackling it is good general garden hygiene, stop /slow the cycle of the fungus by cleaning up any fallen leaves and I would mulch with compost in autumn or late...

@Bradders, I still don’t see any photos from you of what you have in your garden - just photos sourced from the internet. So we cannot comment on what insects you are being “plagued” by.We are generally ahead of southern UK in insects here, but I have only seen a few midges and mozzies so far....

Thank you for your reply - yes, it’s in the house and everyday new leaves are like this.

Its the chemicals that are used to make matches. Phosphorous can add nutrients to the soil and potassium chlorate tends to be used in disinfectants, both these and other elements are used to make matches.

thanks Pete. I'll hold off until mid April

Hello!Yes, I have been wiping them off everyday. I bought some neem oil which I might use to make a spray soon. Thanks for the advice about the sticky strips!!!

Ostara is a season, but she's also the Goddess of Spring & Dawn. Obviously "Easter" is derived from Ostara.

Got it! Thank you very much

Hi thanks I’ve checked for woolly Aphids and none are there.

Now you know....here's a tip for protecting anything really precious. Take one sheet of heavy-duty concrete reinforcing mesh and a heavy-duty pair of cutters/wire snips. Cut 'Christmas-tree' shapes with a 15cm (or thereabouts) stem. If you alternate the direction of cut, it maximises how many...

I use it for my Buxus as a foliar feed if it's looking a bit ropey,always does the trick.