Pests, Diseases and Cures

Don't feed it @MWSmudge - they don't need it. If you've got it in a bigger pot, the soil mix is plenty. Shrubs and trees just need good soil - they don't need fed unless they're of a type that has specific requirements, but Amelanchiers don't. A bit of mulch every so often when in a container is...

Well, here's how the summer season has gone: I have had loads of snails this year. I regularly did a hunt in the morning and transported them down to the rain garden by the road. Did one this morning as it is drizzly weather and didn't get so many so perhaps I have had some effect on the numbers...

This thread is 15 years old and sussexgardener hasn't been on the forum since 2013.

Thank you both for your replies. I will repot and see how it goes

They're best pruned after flowering, whether it's an all over haircut, or a more balanced, natural approach. They don't like being too dry, and they always flower very readily on this side of Scotland, so it's pretty difficult to overwater them unless they're sitting in a bog. They're one of the...

On further investigation it seems the central spine of the leaf has thickening slightly and almost become two ridges, though these are still firmly joined to each other.

I would be inclined to blame it on the tree taking moisture from the soil. The weather has been so crazy this last couple of years that I'm beginning to think that the usual rules don't apply any more.Personally I would clear the area as suggested by @ViewAhead, maybe cover it with bark or...

Thank you. We are in a very wet, clay area. From what you are saying it looks as if it is here to stay and I’ll have to learn to live with it. I’ll keep trying to scoop it up off the most obvious areas. It just seems odd that it hasn’t been a problem till this year. Presumably the...

I appreciate that the OP wasn’t necessarily seeking advice on neem oil but as several posters mention it, I would point out that it is not approved for use as a pesticide in the UK. A recent technical report by the HSE noted that it had negative impacts on both humans and nature. The active...

Thanks @pete . It seems to be spreading at a heck of a rate. Due to life getting in the way, (and even if I had the inclination to try and fight it), I will be pulling them out next week when the weather cools down. At least they put in a fantastic show for many weeks and the neighbours...

That’s interesting @fairygirl, I’ll have a look and see which ones my alleged perennials were. I’ve fallen in love with the Gloriosa Daisy ones, after getting some free with a magazine. Our second year growing them this year. We lost a few to slugs but not too many.

My attempt at growing water melons has been slow going due to the cold spring and indifferent June and July, but the last couple of warm spells seemed to give them a spurt in growth and they have been setting fruit in the last week. Just as that has happened I've noticed some wilted leaves in...

Hi Carl, sorry to hear about the black tips on your variegated laurel hedge. I agree with fairygirl that airflow might be an issue, but it's also worth checking for root damage, overwatering, or pests like aphids or spider mites. Try reducing watering and inspecting the roots.

Cryptolaemus IMHO seem not to be that good. When I worked at the botanic gardens, one of my tasks was to distribute the regular supply of them amongst the plants. They look VERY like mealy but they move quite fast. However they didn't seem to get rid of enough mealy, and need warmth.

Thought I would bring this old thread back with my sprawling beauty.In June where it is situated in The Sand Garden ...July ... .. with the Tecomaria ...Today from the house side ...

More on climate change, the RHS invites gardeners to send them their observations about changes in their gardens.Help the RHS understand how climate change is affecting UK gardens

You could try to revive it by reducing the trunks by half or more. New shoots will emerge as buds below the cuts and then grow to create another multi-headed plant, assuming the root ball is alive. It will also be far happier in the ground as Cordylines produce large tap roots which need soil depth.

It does look awful, but I think if you cut it down now you may not get any flowers next year.

Blackbirds and thrushes eat slugs. But not 200 at a sitting.

Kinda more free fall. No bungee involved.