Orange coneflower

Powdery mildews

What you will see

White powdery coating on leaves and stems; leaves curl and dry out.

The source says: it is among the ornamental plants susceptible to powdery mildew.

How to protect

1. Prevention

   • Sunny, airy position; not in a still spot against a wall.
   • Do not overdo nitrogen (lush young leaves are more susceptible).
   • Water at the roots, not on the leaves.
2. By hand as soon as the first symptoms appearQuickly cut out affected shoots and burn them or take them away (not to the compost).
3. Gentle spray at the start of infectionSulphur or fatty acids (potassium soap) according to the label.
4. Chemical — only when nothing else helps only in a heavy attackA product authorized in your country against powdery mildew.

Aphids

What you will see

Colonies of tiny insects on shoots and buds, sticky honeydew, curled leaves.

How to protect

1. Prevention

   • Check plants regularly from spring.
   • Encourage ladybirds, hoverflies, lacewings and parasitic wasps.
2. By hand as soon as it appearsRub off colonies by hand or wash them off with a jet of water.
3. Biological spring to summerRelease lacewing larvae, aphid midge larvae or ladybirds.
4. Gentle spray in a heavy infestation, repeatPotassium soap (fatty acids) or plant oil.
5. Chemical — only when nothing else helps only as a last resortA product authorized in your country against aphids.

Slugs and snails

What you will see

Holes in leaves and shiny trails, especially on young shoots in spring.

How to protect

1. Prevention

   • Water in the morning so the plant dries off by evening.
   • Watch and protect young shoots in spring.
   • Encourage natural enemies (birds, toads, hedgehogs).
2. By hand damp, mild evenings from spring to fallCollect slugs and snails in the evening by torchlight; traps made of half an orange or containers of beer.
3. Biological warm, moist soil, spring to early fallPhasmarhabditis hermaphrodita nematodes watered into the soil (effective against slugs, less so against snails).