How To Care For Mums Against The Attack Of The Killer Pests
It is natural for little critters to feed on plants since they are hardwired to do that. But when they begin to attack the mums that you took time and sweat to grow, they turn into pests. When this happens, it is high time for you to do something about them before pests eat up your newly planted pom pom chrysanthemums. Here are some common pests and the ways of how to care for mums and protect them.
Aphids. They feed on the plants by piercing through the plant tissue and sucking it dry of sap. When this happens, the plant grows distorted and stunted, or dies all together. Aphids release honeydew as they bite into new shoots or leaves. This encourages the growth of sooty moulds which block the light going to the leaves as well as allow for the transmission of viruses to other mums.
Spraying the plants forcefully with water, especially on the undersides of the leaves and other infested parts, can take care of the problem. Do this thrice a day every two days. Or, you can also leave the cure to nature through the predators that feed on them.
Mites. These more common pests are regarded as spiders more than insects. One species called the two-spotted spider mite feeds like the aphids. It sucks the sap out of the plant tissues which causes the leaves to develop tiny yellow spots and to eventually become lifeless, bronzed and shriveled.
Again, spraying the plant leaves forcefully with water does the job. Insecticidal soap is also effective if applied early. For severely infested plants, you might choose to destroy them, or just parts of them, since it is quite hard to control these mites at this point.
Budworms. These are the larvae of moths that feed on the young shoots of chrysanthemums as well as their new leaves, flower buds and heads. The damage can be seen as holes on the buds and flowerheads.
Pesticides and other sprays can work well in eliminating the infestation by preventing adult moths from laying more eggs under the mums' leaves.
Leaf folder. Larvae fold the leaves together and feast on the leaves' chlorophyll leaving them skeletonized and dry, while also causing damage to the flowers. These pests are usually found as pale-white eggs under the leaves and cause serious infestation on the chrysanthemums.
How to care for mums infected with these larvae? Cut and burn the infested part. Or else, get rid of them with a faithful spray of Methyl Parathion or Quinalphos.
Leaf miners. These are the larvae of flies that are found on the undersides of the leaves, where they penetrate deeper to feed. They create greenish to brownish trails, where they also leave their waste products. These appear as black dots on the leaves, which also cause the leaves to dry up and become droopy.
Cut off and destroy the leaves that are infected, including those that fall to the ground. For severe plant damage, spray the plant with insecticide.
Thrips. Nymphs that are characteristically slender and white-colored, as well as black adults, feed on the leaves which causes them to develop a silver colored residue and to grow distorted. Flowers that were infested lose their vibrant colors, wither and dry up.
Spray the plants with Monocrotophos about 2-3 times within 15-day intervals, or drench the soil with insecticide to control the infestation.
When you know how to care for mums against these pests, your garden will be perennially blooming with these colorful flowers. Thanks to all the anti-pest chrysanthemum care you give it.