Lesson 4
Common problems
Earwigs eat the petals at night; trap them in upside-down flowerpots stuffed with straw on top of canes — empty daily.
Slugs and snails go for emerging shoots in spring; ring with wool pellets or gritty sand.
Powdery mildew shows up late in dry summers — improve airflow, water at soil level, and remove worst leaves.
When buds blast (open then collapse)
- Sudden heatwave — shade for an hour at midday.
- Inconsistent watering — mulch and water deeply, less often.
- Capsid bug — small holes in young leaves; spray plants with diluted neem at dusk.