Why Does My Forget-Me-Not Looks Sickly?

Are the leaves curled and yellow?

Do the leaves have large, ragged holes in them?

Do the plants wilt and die, thin cobweb-like threads are present on the bases of the plants?

Are the leaves covered with white powder?

Do the leaves have pale areas on upper surfaces and "downy" patches underneath?

Do the leaves have blotches on them?

Distorted, curled leaves are caused by aphids. These tiny insects cluster under leaves and on growing tips where they feed on plant sap. Leaves, stems, and buds get distorted, and later leaves and flowers drop from the plant. You can control them by washing them off the plant with water spray. Insecticidal soap should be used with severe infestations.

Large, ragged holes in the leaves are caused by slugs and snails. Slugs and snails feed on the plant leaves usually at night. To control slugs and snails use diatomaceous earth around your plants. You can also handpick them during the night or use shallow dishes filled with beer as a trap.

Sclerotium delphinii is a fungus that causes crown rot in Forget-Me-Not plants. This pathogen will destroy any forget-me-not it comes into contact with, so dig and destroy all affected plants and their immediate neighbors. Avoid overwatering and overcrowding. Keep winter mulch away from the crowns to prevent excess moisture.

White, powdery patches on the leaves are caused by a fungal disease Powdery mildew. Powdery mildew usually appears in damp places. Encourage good air circulation around the affected plants by thining them and any surrounding plants. Water plants from bellow to keep foliage dry. Any affected leaves should be cut off and removed.

Pale areas on upper surfaces of the leaves and "downy" patches underneath are caused by Downy mildew. This fungus spreads quickly during cool, wet nights and warm, humid days. Leaves will wilt and die. Remove and destroy all affected plant parts and encourage good air circulation around plants by thining them. Water plants early in the morning to make sure they dry before nightfall.

Your plants might be suffering from Anthracnose or some other fungal leaf spot. Spots may enlarge rapidly, especially in wet weather. Destroy infected leaves or plants. Spray plants with sulfur or Bordeaux mixture to prevent the disease from spreading, especially if the weather is wet.

If there are tiny holes in leaves they are caused by Potato flea beetles. These seed-like black beetles feed on the undersides of plant leaves, causing significant discoloration and death to foliage, but aren’t considered serious pests of forget-me-nots. Prevent problems by covering young plants with row cover. Control severe infestations by spraying or dusting plants with pyrethrin.