Bugs

Compare the signs below, find the one that matches your plant, then follow the fix.

1. 1Aphids

   Signs

   A crowd of little green or black insects on new shoots and buds

   What to do

   Rinse them off with water, or spray diluted soapy water. If it's bad, use imidacloprid.

2. 2Spider mites

   Signs

   Fine webbing on the undersides, and lots of little yellow dots on top. They flare up when it's hot and dry.

   What to do

   Mist the undersides often to raise the humidity. If it's bad, use a miticide.

3. 3Scale

   Signs

   White cottony fluff, or little brown shells, on stems and leaves

   What to do

   Brush them off with an old toothbrush, or wipe them with a cotton pad and alcohol

4. 4Fungus gnats

   Signs

   Little black flies over the soil

   What to do

   The soil is too wet. Hold back water until the top dries out, and stick in a yellow sticky trap.