Dr. Phyto

primrose

Primula vulgaris

Diseases & pests on this plant

• grey mould (Botrytis)Botrytis cinerea

  Fuzzy grey mould on leaves and stems.

• Pythium damping-off + root rot (multi-host)Pythium ultimum

  Seedlings rot at soil line + collapse (damping-off), brown mushy roots when plants pulled up, plants stunted + yellow despite watering, sudden plant collapse during stress periods, foul earthy smell from rotted tissue.

• vine weevilOtiorhynchus sulcatus

  Distinctive U-shaped notches around leaf margins (similar to Sitona on legumes), C-shaped white legless larvae (up to 10mm) feeding on roots inside pots, sudden plant collapse during summer despite normal watering (larvae have eaten all roots), adults visible at night feeding on foliage.

• slugs & snailsGastropoda

  Irregular holes with smooth (not jagged) edges eaten from leaves, flowers and soft stems, often starting at the margins; whole seedlings can vanish overnight; tender hostas, lettuces and bedding are stripped; the tell-tale sign is a silvery dried slime trail on leaves, soil and pots. Damage is worst at night and in mild, wet weather.

• two-spotted spider miteTetranychus urticae

  Yellow stippling on upper leaf surface, fine webbing.