Algae -
Green, slippery coating on hard surface and
some times on the lawn. - SOLUTION:
Hard surfaces – Use
Path and Patio Cleaner to clean. On Lawn –
check that drainage is adequate. Read "The Lawn Expert" for further information
American Gooseberry Mildew -
Gooseberries and Blackcurrants affected. White
powdery patches appear on young shoots and fruit. Later, the mould turns
brown. - SOLUTION:
Ensure that plants are adequately spaced and
pruned to encourage air circulation.
Anthracnose - A variety
of symptoms seen in different plants – Beans show brown, sunken areas on
the pods, which can turn pink later. Disease may be fatal if severe.
- SOLUTION: Ensure that crops are rotated around the vegetable plot and that
greenhouse crops receive plenty of ventilation. Growing in sterilised soil may
also help.
Ants - Familiar insect in the home and garden. Especially bad
on sandy ground. Also common on fruit trees. -
SOLUTION: Dust around plants and along runs with
Ant Killer
Plus Powder, or spray with
Ant Killer
Plus Spray. Indoor use Bio
Kybosh. On fruit trees try
Boltac
Greasebands
Aphids - Blackfly and
Greenfly. Very common on all types of plants. Colonies are visible around new
buds or shoots in particular. Leaves may twist or yellow. Sticky honeydew can
cause subsequent growth of black Sooty Mould. -
SOLUTION: Spray outdoors with
Bio Sprayday Greenfly Killer Plus. Use
Baby Bio Organic Houseplant Spray for house
plants. |
|
Blackfly -
See Aphids
Black Spot - Common disease on roses. Black spots with yellow fringes spread
quickly over the plant. Premature leaf fall may occur. -
SOLUTION: Remove and destroy fallen leaves and infected leaves on roses. Spray
with
Bio Dithane 945,
Bio Systhane Fungus Fighter or
Bio Fungus Fighter at first signs of disease and
repeat fortnightly. Ideally spray early to prevent bad Black Spot area. Spray
Bio Multirose in Spring when new leaves are emerging
and repeat fortnightly. This will prevent Black Spot, Mildew and Rust.
Bio Multirose also contains a pest
killer.
Blight - Especially bad in damp weather. Leaves of potato and
tomato plants develop spreading, brown patches with white mould on the
underside. Blackened patches on stems and brown, shrunken areas on fruit are
also sometimes seen. - SOLUTION:
Potatoes – Spray with
Bio
Dithane 945 in early July and repeat every 10-14 days while the
weather is warm and damp. Ensure all unwanted potatoes are removed from land
and destroyed. Tomatoes – Sterilise greenhouses and equipment between
crops. Spray with
Bio
Dithane 945 at first signs of disease and repeat every 14 days as
necessary.
Blossom End
Rot - Dark, leathery patches on
flower and fruit of tomatoes. - SOLUTION: Remove affected fruit.
Never let the compost or soil dry out, especially in grow bags. Avoid planting
in acidic soils.
Bolting
- Common problem with Beetroot, Brassicas,
Celery, Lettuce, Onions, Spinach, and other vegetables. Plants prematurely form
flowers or seeds. - SOLUTION:
Never let plants go thirsty during drought.
Prepares oil by digging in organic matter and raking in
Growmore
Botrytis - Plants show
leaf spotting and grey, fluffy mould on stems, leaves flowers or fruit.
Especially bad on Strawberries, Beans and bush fruit. -
SOLUTION: Avoid over-watering and ensure good drainage. Avoid misting plants.
Improve ventilation and increase plant spacing. Remove affected plant parts and
any fallen plant debris.
Brown
Patches on Lawns - Brown patches
appear on lawns. - SOLUTION:
There are many possible causes of this, and it is
best to look in "The Lawn
Expert" before acting.
Brown Rot - A problem
on a wide range of fruit trees including Apples and Plums. Fruits turn brown
with a yellowish mould on the surface. -
SOLUTION: Destroy infected fruit as soon as they are seen, to prevent spread.
Collect up all fallen fruit and only store those fruit which are sound.
Bulb Fly - Daffodil and
Narcissus bulbs become soft and rotten when the inside is eaten out by the
fly's maggot. Very few leaves or flowers are produced. -
SOLUTION: Discard soft bulbs at the lifting and planting time. Hoe around
plants as the foliage dies down. |
|
Cabbage Root
Fly - Brassicas develop huge
blue-tinged leaves, which wilt on sunny days. Growth is poor and roots are
blackened. While maggots burrow in to the stems. -
SOLUTION: Try
covering developing plants with horticultural fleece to exclude adult flies.
Canker-Bacterial -
Plum, Cherry and other stone fruit trees have
flat cankers, which ooze gum. Affected branches have few leaves and soon
die. - SOLUTION:
Cut out diseased branches as soon as diagnosis is
confirmed. Paint all cuts with
Bio Arbrex Seal and Heal pruning
compound.
Canker-Fungal -
Bark shrinks in concentric rings and cracks.
Red growths appear in winter. Affects Apples and Pears particularly.
- SOLUTION:
Ensure that trees are kept free of insect attack with
Bio Sprayday Greenfly Killer Plus or
Bio Organic Pest Control Concentrate. Cut off
damaged branches and paint wounds with
Bio Arbrex Seal and Heal.
Capsid Bug - Causes red / brown spots and small ragged holes on leaves. Flower
buds may be distorted or killed. Fruit may show pale, corky patches or cracking
on the skin. - SOLUTION:
In winter remove plant debris around affected
plants. Read "The
Fruit Expert" for further information.
Carrot Fly - Affects carrots, Parsnips, Celery, And Parsley. Leaves turn reddish
and wilt in sunny weather, later turning to yellow. Roots are riddled with
maggot tunnels. - SOLUTION:
Delay sowing until late May / early June. Sow
thinly to avoid having to thin out too much. Lift the crop early. Try covering
developing plants with horticultural fleece to exclude adult flies.
Caterpillars - Large, irregular holes appear in leaves. Black frass (droppings) also
usually visible. - SOLUTION:
Remove and destroy clusters of eggs when seen.
Pick off by hand where possible. Spray with
Bio Sprayday Greenfly Killer Plus or
Bio Liquid Derris Plus.
Cats - Scratched-up earth and seed beds are signs of cat damage. Fouling may
also occur in these areas. - SOLUTION:
A difficult problem. Protect plants and
susceptible areas with netting or prickly prunings. Keep soil well watered to
deter scratching. Try Pepper Dust or
Bio
Scat-a-Cat to try and break the animal's habit.
Chocolate Spot - Small, brown spots on Broad Bean leaves. Dark streaks on
stems may be seen. Pods and beans may be discoloured. -
SOLUTION: Apply
Bio
Growmore or
Bio
Timed Release Plant Food before sowing. Lift and destroy badly
infected plants. Improve drainage and increase plant spacing. Only plant
susceptible varieties in well-ventilated areas. Boost plant health with
Bio
Tomato Food when actively growing.
Club Root - Brassicas, Stocks and Wallflowers affected. Leaves become discoloured
and wilt in sunny weather. Roots are swollen and distorted and plants grow
slowly or die. Affected roots have an unpleasant smell. -
SOLUTION: Ensure land is adequately drained and well limed. Practice crop
rotation. Dip transplant roots in
Liquid Club Root Control. Before planting. Lift and
burn diseased plants. Do not plant Brassicas or related on plants on the same
site for several years.
Codling
Moth - Affects Apples, Pears and
Plums. Pale pink grubs are found in fruits in July and August. A sawdust-like
frass appears inside affected fruits. - SOLUTION: Use
Bio Sprayday Greenfly Killer Plus after blossoming
if caterpillars are seen. Encourage birds into the garden..
Compost Pests -
See Sciarid Flies and
Springtails
Corticum - See
Red Thread Disease
Cuckoo
Spit - Frothy white masses appear on
the stem of many garden plants. Young growths can become distorted.
- SOLUTION: Hose with a strong jet of water to dislodge. |
|
Damping Off
- Seedling and stems shrink and collapse after
rotting at ground level. - SOLUTION:
Sow plants thinly and ensure good
ventilation. Never over water. Water compost with a solution of
Cheshunt
Compound to prevent further spread.
Die Back - Affects fruit trees, Roses and woody plants. Shoot tips die and the
rest of the shoot slowly dies too. - SOLUTION: Cut out dead wood.
Paint cuts with
Bio Arbrex Seal and Heal Pruning Compound. Ensure
that plants are well fed and that drainage is adequate.
Dogs - See Cats
Downy Mildew - A
problem on a wide variety of plants. Yellow, discoloured areas develop on upper
leaf surfaces with greyish-white fungal growth beneath. Eventually spreads over
entire leaf. - SOLUTION:
Remove infected leaves immediately and improve air
circulation around plants. Avoid overhead watering. Spray infected plants with
Bio Dithane
945 |
|
Earwigs -
Found on flowers, fruit and vegetables. Petals
look ragged and unsightly. Soft-skinned fruits may have holes eaten in
them. - SOLUTION:
Trap earwigs using upturned plant pots stuffed
with straw and placed on top of canes, level with flower heads. Ensure good
hygiene and thorough cultivation of land. Indoors and outdoors apply
Bio Ant Kill Plus Powder to areas where they walk
and hide. On thick-stemmed plants try
Bio Boltac Greasebands.
Eelworm -
Symptoms are very varied. Distortion of roots
and stems is common. Read "The
Vegetable and Herb Expert" for further information. -
SOLUTION: Remove and burn affected plants. Do not use the land for the same
crop again for several years. Try raising young plants in sterilised compost to
prevent early attack. |
|
Fairy Rings
- Rings of mushrooms / toadstools on the lawn.
Often accompanied by a ring of greener grass or a ring of dead grass. Commonly
caused by rotting roots or tree roots in the lawn. -
SOLUTION: Difficult to control. Digging out the entire area around the ring is
the only sure way of preventing spread. Also, try to remove any remaining tree
roots.
Flies -
See House Flies and Household
Pests
Froghopper -
See Cuckoo Spit
Frost - Shows as bleached areas on leaves. Lower leaf surfaces become
puckered, blistered and cracked. Blossoms may turn brown and drop. -
SOLUTION: Choose varieties carefully. Avoid planting in frost pockets. Protect
susceptible plants with straw or sacking. Pick off badly affected leaves. Feed
to aid recovery once danger of frost is over.
Fruit Splitting - Common on Tomatoes. Fruits develop splits, usually when
ripe. Splits may become infected with moulds later. -
SOLUTION: Ensure that compost is kept evenly moist, and is not allowed to dry
out completely.
Fungus
Gnat - See Sciarid
Fly |
|
Gooseberry
Sawfly - See
Sawflies
Greenback - Affects
Tomatoes. Area around the base of fruit and stalk is hard and green.
- SOLUTION: Shade greenhouse with
Bio
Coolglass. Feed regularly with
Phostrogen
Tomato Food.
Greenfly - See
Aphids
Grey
Mould - See
Botrytis |
|
Honey Fungus
- Found on the roots and around the base of
tree and shrub stems. A white fan of fungus appears beneath the bark and black
" bootlaces" are also seen. Honey-coloured toadstools appear in the
autumn. - SOLUTION:
Remove and burn roots and stems of infected
plants. Do not replant affected area for at least one year with a woody plant.
For further information read "The Tree and Shrub Expert".
Hormone Weedkiller Damage - Stems, flowers and leaves may be distorted and
disfigured. Tomato plants and Roses are particularly susceptible. -
SOLUTION: Always avoid weedkiller spray drift and never store these products in
the greenhouse. Be especially careful to rinse out sprayers after use, or have
a dedicated sprayer for weedkillers to avoid contamination.
House Flies and Household Pets -
A variety of common insects appear in and
around the home. - SOLUTION:
Spray with
Bio
Kybosh or Ant Killer Plus Spray whenever pests are
seen. |
|
Lawn Weeds -
Plants in places they are unwanted. "The Lawn Expert" to help with
identification. - SOLUTION:
For fast results use
Bio Kills Weeds Dead Fast! For really deep-rooted
plants, use
Bio Glyphosate. Far an organic solution try
Bio Organic Weed Control.
Leaf Fall - Some or all leaves drop off the plant. -
SOLUTION: Many possible reasons. Above all, check that plants are kept evenly
moist, and out of cold draughts.
Leafhopper - Pale or
mottled or flecked marks appear on leaves. Small, lively yellow / green insects
or their cast-off skins are often seen on the underside of the
leaves. - SOLUTION:
No treatment. Remove older affected leaves or
buds.
Leaf Miner -
Winding tunnels in the leaves caused by a
burrowing insect grub appear as blisters or brown patches. -
SOLUTION: No
treatment. Pick off and burn affected leaves.
Leaf Spot - Spots, rings or blotches appear on the leaves of a range of plant
species. Premature leaf fall may also occur. -
SOLUTION: Remove all plant debris and infected leaves. Improve drainage and
ventilation around plants. Spray with
Bio Dithane 945,
Bio Systhane Fungus Fighter or
Bio Fungus Fighter.
Leatherjackets - A common lawn pest, causing irregular brown patches and
loose areas of turf on the lawn. Grubs are dark grey / brown and
legless. - SOLUTION:
Water a section of the lawn heavily in the
evening. Cover with polythene or tarpaulin overnight. In the morning, grubs
will be found underneath the sheet, on top of the grass from where they may be
collected up an disposed of. |
|
Maggots In
Fruit - See Codling Moth, Pea
Moth or Sawflies
Mealy
Bug - Clusters of white, fluffy
insects on stems and leaves of houseplants. -
SOLUTION: Bio Provado Ultimate Bug Killer Spray with or
Baby Bio Organic House Plant Insecticide at first
sign of attack. Physically remove as many colonies as possible by either
pruning out or brushing them off.
Mice - See Rats
and Mice
Millipedes -
A soil pest, which eats the underground, parts
of plants, particularly when already damaged. -
SOLUTION: Maintain good garden hygiene and cultivate land
thoroughly.
Moles -
Molehills on the lawn and tunnels just beneath
the soil surface. - SOLUTION:
Eradication is difficult, and should be carried
out by a professional for the best chance of success.
Moss - Green, feathery coatings on hard surfaces. Also common on
lawns. - SOLUTION:
For lawns, use
Bio Toplawn Feed Weed and Mosskiller to kill moss
and weeds and encourage grass to recover. For hard surfaces, use
Mosskiller Ready to Use. |
|
| Onion Fly -
Leaves turn yellow and droop on hot days.
Maggots are seen in the base of the bulb. -
SOLUTION: Destroy all affected plants. Clear away all thinnings. |
|
Patchy Growth on
Lawns - Grass is poor and patchy,
perhaps even yellowed. Soil can often easily be seen underneath the
grass. - SOLUTION:
Many causes are possible but ensure that the lawn
is well fed with a product such as Bio Toplawn Feed
Weed and Mosskiller. Take special care when moving not to scalp the
grass. For more information read "
The
Lawn Expert".
Peach Leaf
Curl - Affects Peaches, Nectarines,
Apricots and Almonds. Leaves form red blisters which later turn black. Leaves
fall prematurely. - SOLUTION:
Spray with
Bio
Dithane 945 in mid-February, 14 days later, and again just before
leaf fall. Do not plant in cool, damp situations. Collect and destroy infected
leaves early in the season.
Pea
Moth - Maggots tunnel inside Peas
while still in the pod. - SOLUTION:
Sow early or late so peas are not in
flower in June/July. Ensure thorough winter cultivation.
Pea and Bean Weevil - U-shaped notches appear around the edges of
leaves. - SOLUTION:
Remove all plant debris and coarse vegetation
around site. Encourage good germination and rapid growth.
Potato Blight -
See Blight
Powdery Mildew - White powdery deposits covering the surface of leaves
and young shoots. Common on Roses and hedge plants. -
SOLUTION: Spray with
Bio Systhane Fungus Fighter,
Bio Fungus Fighter or
Bio Multirose. Ensure that plants are kept well
watered in dry spells and are not over fed. Remove infected plant debris and
leaves. Increase plant spacing.
|
|
Rats and
Mice - Damage seen to seed stores
and newly planted seeds, especially Beans. May also be a nuisance around the
home. - SOLUTION:
Use
Racumin
Rat Bait. Replenish bait everyday until feeding stops.
Red Spider Mite - Mottling and speckling of leaves occurs. Often, leaves
take on a bronzed colour and fall prematurely. White webbing on upper leaves
may also occur. - SOLUTION:
Maintain good hygiene and optimise plant growth.
Increase humidity around plants. Destroy badly infected plants. Use
Bio
Organic Pest Control for all situations and plant types. Also try
Bio
Sprayday Greenfly Killer Plus or
Bio
Liquid Derris Plus. Indoors, use
Baby
Bio Organic House Plant Insecticide or
Bio
Provado Ultimate Bug Killer.
Red Thread Disease - Common on lawns. Patches of bleached grass take on a pinkish
appearance, especially after rain. - SOLUTION: Ensure that the grass
is well fed, in spring and early summer, with a high nitrogen
fertiliser.
Rose Suckers
- Shoots of a different colour and form to the
rest of the plant arise from the rootstock. -
SOLUTION: Trace sucker back to the point of origin on the root and pull off. On
standards, rub off stem growths as soon as possible.
Rust - Seen as orange or brown spots or pustules on the underside of leaves
and stems. Common on Roses, Pelargoniums and Hollyhocks. -
SOLUTION: Ensure that plants are well fed with
Bio Toprose,
Bio Phostrogen Plant Food or
Phostrogen Slow Realease Plant Food. Pick off and
burn diseased leaves and Spray with
Bio Systhane Fungus Fighter,
Bio Fungus Fighter,
Bio Multirose or
Bio Multorose Ready-to-Use. |
|
Scab -
Dark green or brown spots appear on leaves of
Apples or Pear trees. Twigs might also become blistered and fruits may be
distorted and cracked. - SOLUTION:
Spray to prevent with
Bio
Systhane Fungus Fighter or
Bio
Dithane 945. Sweep up leaves from infected trees in autumn. During
winter, prune branches showing signs of scab. Paint wounds with
Bio Arbrex Seal and Heal
Scale Insect -
Insects with a scaly or sometimes fluffy
coating which do not move when touched. Often mistaken for plant nodules or
growths. If in doubt about identification consult "The
House Plant Expert" - SOLUTION:
Use
Baby
Bio Organic House Plant Insecticide or
Bio
Provado Ultimate on indoor plants. For an organic solution on indoor
and outdoor plants try
Bio
Organic Pest Control Concentrate.
Sciarid Flies - Small, slow flying black flies, which emerge, from the
compost surface. Common on house plants. Tiny white maggots live in the
compost. Normally do little damage to plants, but cause a nuisance around the
home. - SOLUTION:
Always use sterile compost. Avoid over-watering
and cover the compost surface with a layer of gravel to prevent egg
laying.
Silver Leaf -
Attacks a number of fruit varieties. Leaves
have a silver appearance and shoots dark black. Wood is stained
brown. - SOLUTION:
Cut out dead and infected branches, at least 15 cm
below the level of infection. Paint wounds with
Bio Arbrex Seal and Heal. Read "The
Fruit Expert" for further information.
Slugs and Snails - Common, easily recognisable pests. Look out for
irregular holes in leaves and slime trails if unsure about diagnosis. Slugs may
also attack roots, tubers or other plant parts. -
SOLUTION: Keep areas around susceptible plants clean and well cultivated.
Scatter
Bio
Slug Mini Pellets thinly around plants you want to
protect.
Sooty Mould -
Black Fungus coating the upper surface of
leaves. Leaves may also be sticky. - SOLUTION: The fungus lives on
sticky honeydew deposits dropped by sap-sucking pests. Treat the cause and not
the symptoms. Identify the insect pest and treat with the appropriate
insecticide.
Springtails
- Small, white or pink creatures, which jump
when disturbed. Usually found on the compost surface. Usually cause little
damage to plants. - SOLUTION:
Always use sterile compost. Avoid over-watering
and cover the compost with a layer of gravel.
Storage Rots - Soft grey / brown areas appear on stored fruit. -
SOLUTION: Try
to avoid bruising fruit, and only store fruits which appear sound. As soon as
any fruits show sign of rotting, remove them from the store.
Strawberry Seed Beetle - Brown patches appear on the fruit where the beetles have
eaten away the seeds. - SOLUTION:
Ensure that the area around the plant is
kept as clean as possible. Remove any old leaves or fruits and keep down weeds
in the plot.
Sun Scorch -
Common on Tomatoes. Fruits develop pale brown
sunken areas. - SOLUTION:
Shade greenhouse with
Bio
Coolglass |
|
Thrips -
Silvery flecking and streaking appears on the
petals and leaves. Plants may also become distorted. Tiny black or yellow flies
are just visible on plants. - SOLUTION:
Spray with
Bio Organic Pest Control Concentrate. Use
Bio Provado Ultimate Bug Killer on house plants.
Ensure plants are regularly watered and a cool, humid atmosphere is
maintained.
Toadstools -
Fairy rings or toadstools appear on the lawn.
In severe cases, grass may be killed around the ring. -
SOLUTION: Difficult to control once established. The only real solution is to
dig out the affected area before the ring becomes any larger. Read "The Lawn
Expert" for further information.
Tortrix Moth - Leaves become spun together by silken threads. Inside the leaf, a
small green or brown caterpillar is found. -
SOLUTION: The
easiest method of control is to pick off affected leaves and burn them. Use
Bio Greenfly Killer Plus or
Bio Liquid Derris when caterpillars are
exposed. |
|
Vine Weevil
- Pot plants may only show symptoms when it is
too late – they wilt or die completely. When removed from the pot, small,
cream coloured maggots with brown heads will be found. Sometimes, all the root
system will have been eaten. Look out for U-shaped notches on the leaves of
plants caused by the feeding adults. - SOLUTION: Contact garden centre
regarding new vine weevil killer.
Virus - Many plants may
be affected by viruses. A variety of symptoms may show form stunted or
distorted growth to colour changes or mottling of leaves. Read "The Garden Expert" for more
information. - SOLUTION:
There is no cure for viruses, but they are often
spread by Greenfly and sucking pests. Keeping these under control will help
prevent spread. Lift and burn affected plants to prevent spread. |
|
Wasps -
Common, yellow and black striped insects, which
are attracted by ripe fruits and cause a nuisance in the home. -
SOLUTION: Use
Bio
Kybosh to kill single wasps in the home. Use
Foaming Wasp
Nest Destroyer to tackle wasp nests. Never try to kill bees or
destroy their nests.
Weeds - Plants in
places where they are unwanted. See also Lawn Weeds -
SOLUTION: On
hard surfaces – Kill Weeds Dead Fast. For an organic solution to
weed control try Organic Weed Control.
Whitefly - Common around the garden and greenhouse and on houseplants. Small,
white flies, which multiply quickly and rise in clouds when infested plants are
disturbed. Developing scales may also be seen on the undersides of
leaves. - SOLUTION:
Spray outdoors with
Bio Sprayday Greenfly Killer Plus. Use
Baby Bio Organic Houseplant Spray for houseplants.
For up to 1 months systemic protection and control on indoor and outdoor pot
plants, apply
Bio Provado. Or, try
Bio Greenhouse Fly Catchers hung over the top of the
main shoot.
White Rot on
Onions - Foliage turns yellow and
wilts, then fluffy white mould appears on the base of the bulb. -
SOLUTION: No
cure. Try sterilising ground before planting, and ensure that you do not grow
onions or related plants on infected ground.
Wilt - Common disorder where plants appear to wilt even in moist soil.
Tissue inside the stem is often stained brown. -
SOLUTION: No
real cure once plants are infected. Try not to grow the same plants in the same
area again. Remove affected plants. Avoid planting early into cold soil.
Maintain good hygiene.
Winter
Moth - Small caterpillars eat
leaves, fruits and flowers on a variety of trees and shrubs. Fruit trees are
commonly affected. Leaves may become loosely spun together. -
SOLUTION: Apply Boltac Greasebands to trunks of affected trees in
autumn.
Wireworm -
Hard, shiny, yellow / orange grubs which tunnel
into underground plant parts such as potato tubers. -
SOLUTION: Control by cultivating the vegetable plot thoroughly. Ensure that
weeds are removed from the plot.
Woodlice - Grey, hard,
many-legged bugs which are found under pots or stones in the garden. Normally
do very little damage except to young seedlings. -
SOLUTION: Clear garden debris to discourage woodlice. If found in the home, use
Bio
Kybosh. |
|
| Yellowing
Leaves - Leaves appear yellow and
may be stunted. - SOLUTION:
Many causes – consult "The Garden Expert" to help with identification.
Ensure that plants are well fed and out of cold draughts. |
|
|
