Pests, Diseases and Cures

Parlour palms prefer a cool room away from heat and windows but that isn't always possible. This one I had many years ago had slight browning of some leaves, even though it was away from direct light and in a slightly cooler room. It's a plant that was popular back in the Victorian era as it was...

You have not pointed the right finger ! The growth of the magpie population (due to loss of gamekeepers, and the movement of climate bands) accounts for the decline in small birds, especially in urban context. The spread of badgers has decimated hedgehog population, especially where they are...

I think as @Butterfly6 suggests, it comes down to what you like to eat, what is expensive in the shops, how many people in your household, will you have any help for free or will you need paid help. Are you planning to just be as self sufficient as possible in plant based food or are you...

I've seen (and squashed ) plenty of the little grey/black ones already. They seem to nestle in the grooves in the base of plastic pots

Part of my neighbour's laurel hedge developed those symptoms last year. They disappeared within a few weeks (the symptoms, not the neighbour ).

Thank you guys, this is really helpful again!

Thanks, I'll have to wait for some more to appear then check them under a magnifying glass.

How tomato plants protect themselves from some insects

I've never seen aphids on privet, but the yellow, spotted leaves are common. Privet isn't evergreen, although people tend to think it is, but it will always drop some foliage from time to time. Usually nothing to worry about though. The healthier the hedge is, the better it will manage to shrug...

Yes - it'll be happier, and so will you if it's in the ground! Much easier to manage them. They're fine for a while, as most trees and shrubs are, but keeping anything like that long term in a container is a lot more work. You'll probably find that there's a lot of roots and not so much soil...

yes, but not as much fun as a pair of scissors!

In a small space, plants [of any kind] have to earn their keep @ricky101 , so it's better to have something that will suit your site and conditions.

I don’t! Thank you, I have some in the greenhouse.

In that case a better photo, close up and in focus of the marks on the top and bottom of the leaf. Soon as I try to zoom in or magnify the picture any definition goes. Personally I still wouldn't spray with anything, the season is just about over and their job is done.

Or cider if that's your thing.

They're strangely hypnotic if you watch them 'dance'

We have moved some distance from gall mite certainly. Fingers crossed for a proper cold spell this winter, which might help with control.

Newly planted conifers of that size will need lots of water to enable their roots to establish and support the branches and foliage above. The one in your photo also looks very close to the fence, casting a rain shadow which will reduce the amount of rain reaching the roots. If the trees are...

My neeps are almost ready for pulling. Planted late plugs. My pet haggi are looking forward to them.

Not seen any on my Hemoracallis.I cut back my affected fuchsias hard too, @BB3 , and that works for a season or two and then they get it badly again.I suppose in some ways the fact these pests tend to attack only one species is good, as you don't lose huge swathes of planting in an...