Another newbie !

emerald32 · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 06 Jul 2015 Posts: 12

Hi all, I was browsing around as have a problem with a potted plant and found this site so decided to join. At the moment just trying to find my way around the site as not very tech savy. I just have a small garden into which I pack as many plants as I can !! Nothing very fancy mind you, just try and keep a bit of interest and colour all year. Its I suppose what you'd call hard landscaping ?? in that I have no grass, just paving decking stones & bit of a rockery with beds in between. Myself and my nephew did it. Its "low maintenance" ha !!

Just been out lamping slugs off my poor little campanulas and am definately going to make a beer trap tomorrow. I hate the site of those blue slug pelletts( have cats too) and with the rain over the last few days, slugs are out in marching formation.

I actually wanted to ask about an Alstroemeria plant. Its in a sunny spot gets plenty of sun, well watered and fed regularly. It has plenty of growth and looks healthy but not a sign of flower bud nor last year either now that I think about it. However on close inspection it is infested with a tiny little bug. Oh its in a pot and not too near anything else. I can post a picture tomorrow if it would help

Thanks in advance.
Emerald32

Dr. Sunny Thomson · Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2015 9:47 am Post subject:

Would love to see a pic of the bugs Emerald32. I'm no expert but I an I'm sure other will try and work out your problem.

emerald32 · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 06 Jul 2015 Posts: 12

Iam loosing my mind here trying to crop a photo, i could quite happily kick this laptop around the room !!!! lol back soon

emerald32 · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 06 Jul 2015 Posts: 12

Right this is the last time I try to post this gonna do it one by one

Plant should look like this

emerald32 · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 06 Jul 2015 Posts: 12

Looks healthy enough but on close inspection base of plant is almost rotten

emerald32 · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 06 Jul 2015 Posts: 12

I doused plant in water and washing up liquid last week and all signs in infestation are gone so probably green fly ??

So no flowers cause green fly are eating it alive ??

Next move
Divide it
Dump it
??

emerald32 · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 06 Jul 2015 Posts: 12

Well that only took 2/3 hours to post not bad going. Couldn't even use "crop photos for dummies" lol

Any advise much appreciated, thanks

Good guy · Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2015 10:10 pm Post subject:

Hi, emerald32, welcome! It's always great to find a new member posting questions. I'm not too sure about you're Alstromreia but in my experience they are pretty tough. Could be its been in that pot too long so removing rotten stuff and repotting - maybe dividing as well - will do no harm. It should produce new shoots from healthy rootstock.

emerald32 · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 06 Jul 2015 Posts: 12

Thanks Good Guy, will repot and divide/thin out in next few days. Sure no harm to give it a go anyhow, its doing nothing as is. Am really impressed with the site, great threads on perennials

Thanks again, will let ye know how I get on ( but might not bother with a picture lol) Laughing

kindredspirit · Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2015 4:47 am Post subject:

Hi emerald32,

Welcome to the site. Looking forward to your posts.

Dr. Sunny Thomson · Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2015 9:21 am Post subject:

Is there any chance you are watering directly on to the plant like right into the middle emerald32. I have seen that cause rot in a few of my potted plants. I was always told to water the compost to prevent rot in the centre of the plant.

emerald32 · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 06 Jul 2015 Posts: 12

Hi Dr Sunny, I always water around the sides and keep the soil loose for drainage. I really do think its just eaten alive by green fly. I put a rose on the watering can when dousing with washing up liquid which was very effective. Browsing around the net a lot of people use this mixture but spray nearly every day on suscepitible plants.
Thanks for reply Very Happy

Blowin · Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2015 6:40 am Post subject:

if it is aphids that are the cause, boil some rhubarb leaves, strain off the liquid and use an old household spray gun to spray them. Watch them fall off.

emerald32 · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 06 Jul 2015 Posts: 12

Well I divided up Alstroemeria plant yesterday and it was totally pot bound Embarassed

So I took about a quater and repotted into fresh soil having removing all the dead foilage. So just have to wait and see now. Unfortunately I don't have access to rubarb leaves so will have to do with a few drops of washing up liquid. Sure will see what happens, thanks to all Very Happy

emerald32 · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 06 Jul 2015 Posts: 12

Well finally it flowered. I know it's late in the season but am delighted. My little success 😀. I spray regularly with soapy water though.