QUESTION:
What is troubling my gerberas – is it the fertiliseror is it sunburn?
ANSWER:
It’s neither, although direct sun on extreme days can sometimes cause similar damage. Being of South African origin, gerberas generally love the sunshine a great deal. The problem is actually a combination of tiny two-spotted mites (red spider mites) and whiteflies. Whiteflies are tricky as they fly off when sprayed, while mites aren’t insects and usually need a miticide. I rarely recommend chemical miticides due to safety concerns. I’ve found that sticky yellow traps work well – they attract and catch both pests. If you’re using them outside, cut the traps into quarters to avoid attracting birds. If themites persist, insecticidal soaps like Multicrop Eco Bug Organic oreco-insect killer (OCP) can stop both pests organically.
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