If the fresh shoots and flowers of the hibiscus are suddenly black and sticky and the leaves are stunted, the garden marshmallow, also known as rose marshmallow, is infested with aphids. In order to get rid of the annoying pests, quick help is necessary.
How to fight aphids on hibiscus?
To combat aphids on hibiscus, you can use ladybirds or their larvae, use a nettle infusion or soapy water, use biological agents such as Neudosan Aphid Free or Neem or use chemical agents.
Aphid damage
Aphids feed on plant sap and are responsible for when hibiscus flowers dry up, leaves become stunted and young shoots die. On the houseplant, the Chinese hibiscus, air that is too dry promotes aphid infestation. Careful care of the hibiscus therefore requires regular spraying.
Identifying aphids
Aphids are about 2mm large animals that attack the plant in large numbers. They are usually light green or black and leave a sticky coating on the plants. You can also recognize an aphid infestation by thin white membranes on flowers and leaves.
First measures
Once you have discovered the annoying mammals, you should remove them quickly so that the hibiscus is not weakened too much. You can shower the aphids with a strong jet of water or collect them with your finger. Aphids like to hide on the underside of the leaves, so the undersides of the leaves must be treated. If the potted hibiscus is infected, you should immediately place the plants individually to avoid infestation of neighboring plants.
Natural and home remedies against aphids
Ladybug
Ladybirds are very popular in the garden because they are real pest controllers. Aphids and spider mites are among the red-spotted animals' favorite foods. They can be collected in the garden and placed on infected plants.
Ladybird larvae (€22.00 on Amazon) are now available from specialist retailers or via various internet addresses. However, it must be carefully considered whether the control of aphids justifies a possible plague of ladybirds in the following years.
Stinging nettle infusion
For the nettle infusion, chopped nettles are poured over with water in a ratio of about 1:9. The brew should steep in a closed container for 3 days. After filtering, the infusion is poured into a spray bottle and the hibiscus is sprayed until dripping wet.
Soap suds
You can easily make soapy water with a tablespoon of soap in 1 liter of water, which you can spray on the hibiscus.
Organic products from the garden center
You can get ready-to-use soap mixtures at the garden center. These include Neudosan aphid-free or neem. These biological agents pose no danger to beneficial insects and bees.
Chemical agents
For particularly stubborn aphids, hardware stores and garden centers offer various chemical products. The substances are absorbed by the plant and passed on to the aphids via the plant sap. The effect lasts for several weeks.
Prevention with plants
You can prevent aphid infestation by surrounding the garden marshmallow with herbs right from the start. Lavender, thyme, sage and savory exude a spicy smell that makes them unpopular with aphids.
Tips & Tricks
Ladybirds can be found in almost every garden. You can settle the beneficial insects permanently if they find a piece of meadow, high tufts of grass, loose bark and piles of brushwood and leaves to overwinter.
