Nemesia is a great small, showy flower for early color in beds and borders in your garden. The plants are perfect for growing in containers too. If summers in your area are typically comprised of hot days, Nemesia may take a break from blooming and flower again in autumn. An overall trim at this time encourages rebloom. In areas where nights remain cool and daytime temps are moderate, these plants may blossom from spring to fall.
While nemesia plant problems aren’t usually serious, this
long period of growth provides more opportunity for disease to develop and
pests to attack. These are common nemesia issues for which to keep an eye out.
Learn how to spot them in early development so they don’t mar your beautiful
flowering plants.
What’s Wrong with My Nemesia?
Problems with nemesia may include the following:
Powdery
Mildew: A white powdery substance on
leaves and stems is often fungal mold, also called powdery mildew. This starts in spring when conditions are still damp and
humid, but temps have warmed. It will spread among the nemesias, but likely
won’t affect other nearby plants. Avoid this fungus by watering plants at the
roots, as overhead watering encourages spread and development.
Aphids: If you see a swarm of tiny black bugs around new growth
when you’re nemesia troubleshooting, it is likely aphids.
Blast them off with the water hose, trying to avoid wetting foliage
unnecessarily. If they return, spray with an insecticidal soap or neem oil
when the sun is not shining on the plants.
Western
Flower Thrips: Tan scars on foliage and white
scars on flowers are an indication of this pest. Look for a light brown pest
with clear wings. Treat thrips
with insecticidal soap before moving on to insecticide if soap spray is
unsuccessful.
Insufficient
Fertilization: Yellowing of lower leaves are
sometimes the result of nitrogen deficiency. Use a balanced fertilizer to provide nitrogen when signs
appear. Phosphorous
is needed for a healthy root system and longer lasting blooms. A lack of this
nutrient may appear as purple coloring in the leaves and non-flowering. Remove
damaged leaves in both cases.
Bacterial
Leaf Spot: Another problem caused by using
overhead irrigation, greasy black spots start on lower leaves and move up the
plant. Water at the roots to avoid this issue.
In most cases, nemesia plants are problem free and need only
watering, afternoon shade in hot areas, and an overall pruning when blossoms
fail.
Nemesia is a great small, showy flower for early color in beds and borders in your garden. The plants are perfect for growing in containers too. If summers in your area are typically comprised of hot days, Nemesia may take a break from blooming and flower again in autumn. An overall trim at this time encourages rebloom. In areas where nights remain cool and daytime temps are moderate, these plants may blossom from spring to fall.
While nemesia plant problems aren’t usually serious, this
long period of growth provides more opportunity for disease to develop and
pests to attack. These are common nemesia issues for which to keep an eye out.
Learn how to spot them in early development so they don’t mar your beautiful
flowering plants.
What’s Wrong with My Nemesia?
Problems with nemesia may include the following:
Powdery
Mildew: A white powdery substance on
leaves and stems is often fungal mold, also called powdery mildew. This starts in spring when conditions are still damp and
humid, but temps have warmed. It will spread among the nemesias, but likely
won’t affect other nearby plants. Avoid this fungus by watering plants at the
roots, as overhead watering encourages spread and development.
Aphids: If you see a swarm of tiny black bugs around new growth
when you’re nemesia troubleshooting, it is likely aphids.
Blast them off with the water hose, trying to avoid wetting foliage
unnecessarily. If they return, spray with an insecticidal soap or neem oil
when the sun is not shining on the plants.
Western
Flower Thrips: Tan scars on foliage and white
scars on flowers are an indication of this pest. Look for a light brown pest
with clear wings. Treat thrips
with insecticidal soap before moving on to insecticide if soap spray is
unsuccessful.
Insufficient
Fertilization: Yellowing of lower leaves are
sometimes the result of nitrogen deficiency. Use a balanced fertilizer to provide nitrogen when signs
appear. Phosphorous
is needed for a healthy root system and longer lasting blooms. A lack of this
nutrient may appear as purple coloring in the leaves and non-flowering. Remove
damaged leaves in both cases.
Bacterial
Leaf Spot: Another problem caused by using
overhead irrigation, greasy black spots start on lower leaves and move up the
plant. Water at the roots to avoid this issue.
In most cases, nemesia plants are problem free and need only
watering, afternoon shade in hot areas, and an overall pruning when blossoms
fail.