What Is Wrong With My Scabiosas?

Are there any small, round reddish brown spots with white to grey centers on the upper surface of the leaves?

Are the flowers covered with gray mold, leaves may be blotched or discolored?

Do the leaves have any small circular or irregularly shaped dry spots that are gray to straw in color?

Are the leaves covered with white powder?

Are the leaves yellowing, wilting and, dying?

Are the leaves discolored, fine webbing may be present?

Are the leaves curled and distorted?

Do the leaves have large, ragged holes in them?

Are the leaves covered in coarse stippling and may appear silvery?

These symptoms indicate Alternaria leaf spot. Warm, wet conditions favor this fungal disease. Spray infected plants with copper and/or sulfur to prevent further disease development. Plant only pathogen-free seed from a reputable nursery.

Gray mold on flowers is probably caused by fungal disease - Botrytis blight. You can prevent Botrytis blight disease by planting in areas with good air circulation. Water plants sparsely. Severely infected plants should be removed. Spray weekly with a copper fungicide until the disease is under control.

These symptoms indicate a fungal disease - Anthracnose. Keep plants dry when watering to prevent spread. Spray plants with copper when the first fruit develops if you have had problems in the past.

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. The appropriate fungicidal spray will protect your plant from further infections.

Yellow leaves that wilt and die usually indicate Root rot. Several pathogens cause root rots of seedlings as well as mature plants. Poorly drained, overly wet soil promotes rot so choose well-drained sites and add organic matter to improve drainage. Remove and destroy infected plants. Solarize the soil before replanting.

Spider mites are known to cause problems for scabiosas. Hose off plants when symptoms first appear. A strong stream knocks mites off plants and may give control. Introduce predatory mites. For severe infestations, spray plants with insecticidal soap or pyrethrin.

Distorted and 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.

These symptoms may indicate thrips. Thrips are tiny, yellow to black flying insects. Severely infected plant parts should be removed and destroyed. Control thrips by introducing lady beetles or lacewings, their natural predators. Insecticidal soap helps in severe infestations.

If your plant is stunted with yellow leaves and tiny insects are present, the culprits are whiteflies. These tiny, mothlike flies and their larvae feed by sucking plant juices. Whiteflies secrete honeydew, a sugary substance that makes leaves sticky to the touch. Control whiteflies by eliminating garden weeds and by introducing green lacewings in the garden. Spray infested plants with insecticidal soap every 3 days for 2 weeks.