Globe artichoke

Aphids

What you will see

Colonies of tiny insects on young shoots and under leaves, stunted and distorted growth, sticky honeydew and black sooty mould on it.

The source says: it is a serious problem on artichokes in summer.

How to protect

1. Prevention

   • Tolerate a small number: aphids are food for beneficial insects.
   • Check plants often so you can act in time.
   • Encourage ladybirds, hoverflies, lacewings and parasitic wasps.
2. By hand as soon as you spot themSquash colonies with your fingers or remove affected shoot tips.
3. Biological before a heavy infestationIn a greenhouse you can buy in hoverfly larvae, lacewings and parasitic wasps.
4. Chemical — only when nothing else helps according to the product labelLast resort only: a product authorised in your country against aphids. Try non-chemical methods first.

Slugs and snails

What you will see

Irregular holes in soft leaves and young shoots and slime trails; they feed at night.

How to protect

1. Prevention

   • Plant sturdy potted plants, not delicate young seedlings.
   • Water in the morning, not the evening (evening watering helps them move around).
   • Encourage their natural enemies: birds, hedgehogs, toads, ground beetles.
2. By hand evening, after rainPick them off by hand on damp evenings and take them far away. Traps: hollowed-out citrus halves placed cut side down, or sunken containers of beer; check in the morning.
3. Biological when the soil is warm and moistSlug-specific nematodes (from a biological control supplier) are watered into the soil.
4. Chemical — only when nothing else helps according to the product labelLast resort only: a product authorised in your country against slugs and snails. Try non-chemical methods first.