Geranium Pests
Recognizing Geranium Pests can help save your plant.
The common geranium, which is planted in garden beds, planters and even grown in doors is a member of the genus Pelargonium. Members of the genus Geranium are the wild geraniums that can be found growing wild but are also nice additions to a country garden and the herbaceous perennials.
The common geranium can be grown in beds or containers and will do well in either. The ivy leafed geranium is a natural for hanging planters. The Regal geranium does not do well outside and should be grown in a container that can be put outside on mild days and moved inside at night and during cold or hot weather.
Like other plants, the geranium can give in to disease and pests. If you discover that your geraniums are failing
the list below might help you narrow it down.
Geranium Pests
Some pests you might find making a meal of our geraniums include:
caterpillars
aphids
whitefly
mites
slugs
Most of these can be controlled with sprays, the aphids can be controlled with ladybugs and the slugs can be captured in a shallow dish of beer. Also, watch for subterranean termites that tunnel through the stems of your plant causing it to turn yellow and die. If you suspect these, treat the soil with special treatment.
In addition to geranium pests, your plants could fall victim to disease such as:
Black Leg – stem turns black and leaves fall off - treatment - Use fungicidal spray to help control spread, never take cutting from a diseased plant.
Leaf Spot – leaves become spotted and drop off - treatment - remove and discard infected leaves, avoid splashing water on plant when watering.
Gray Mold – plant shows spots that are grayish and moldy looking - treatment - remove infected plants, make sure there is good air flow between plants, treat with fungicidal spray.
Rust – plant has rusty looking spots and is turning yellow - treatment - treat with fungicidal spray.
Root Knot nematodes – stunted plant growth and knotted roots - treatment rotate plants every year, destroy infected plants – do not replant in an area that has had this problem.
Dropsy – happens on indoor plants where there are lesions on plants - treatment - water less frequently and put plant in a sunny spot.
More On Geraniums:
Healing Properties Of Geraniums
Explore the medicinal uses of this plant from healing skin to repelling insects to relieveing symptoms of PMS.
Geranium Care
How to plant and care for your Geraniums.
Geranium Pests And Disease
What's making your plant turn yellow? Find out what it could be and how to treat it.
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