If it is the gall midge,just cut the heads off and dispose.(not on the compost heap). Best burnt.
You have to cut the cycle of the larvae falling into the soil, and then metamorphosing into the adult insect, free to lay eggs in the flower bud again.
so I can keep the plant, Fidget? That's good news. I've just been picking off the diseased buds and chucking them on the compost heap. A bit stupid when I think of it!
Putting diseased stuff on compost heaps just spreads it around. Best to burn anything diseased, if you are not allowed to incinerate, send it to the council in the bin. I think compost that contains recycledmaterials is resonsible for spreading weeds and diseases, its supposed to be hot composted and thus sterile, but in my experience it is not.
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I have had this problem as well. All the 'ordinary' ones are fine but the specials have all had trouble
it will be interesting to know what has caused this
I've noticed with mine it's only certain colours. I think it's some sort of virus that's doing the rounds.
Maybe we need to stop fighting each other and start fighting viruses
If it is the gall midge,just cut the heads off and dispose.(not on the compost heap). Best burnt.
You have to cut the cycle of the larvae falling into the soil, and then metamorphosing into the adult insect, free to lay eggs in the flower bud again.
so I can keep the plant, Fidget? That's good news. I've just been picking off the diseased buds and chucking them on the compost heap. A bit stupid when I think of it!
Putting diseased stuff on compost heaps just spreads it around. Best to burn anything diseased, if you are not allowed to incinerate, send it to the council in the bin. I think compost that contains recycledmaterials is resonsible for spreading weeds and diseases, its supposed to be hot composted and thus sterile, but in my experience it is not.