What kills flowers instantly? It’s the black plague! No, I’m not a quack psychologist and no, this is not an article you’d read at, or from, a flower gardening site. However, some flowers are particularly susceptible to the deadly attack of the dreaded Black Plague, and some types and classes of landscape flowers are especially susceptible.
So what kills flowers instantly? Well, many diseases that affect flowers, do so when they invade your flower garden with other pests and diseases. Some common disease culprits are aphids, caterpillars, spider mites, fungus, and thrips. Aphids are especially deadly, due to their ability to quickly spread infestations, and their habit of laying eggs in the flowers, which then hatch and produce the disease spores in the soil. Commonly known as ‘White Bugs’, these can really be a nuisance!
Some more recent diseases that have affected flowers include mould, viruses, bacteria, and a whole host of arthropods. Usually, flowers are first attacked by the insects that first enter the plant, but fungi, viruses and bacteria can later infect the soil, and feed on the plant’s roots. As the pathogen spreads, so does the damage. And the damage is usually extensive – in some cases, entire plants may die! The infected flowers will also usually die from lack of water.
So how do you protect your flower garden? First, you need to identify the pest or disease, and then attack it in a careful, deliberate manner. For example, if you notice a few white spots starting to appear on a couple of flower buds, take them away immediately, before they have time to sprout. You should also check the soil for any signs of the above pests or diseases. If you find mud-coated clay particles on the soil, your flower garden is probably under attack by root parasites. Use a gentle garden spray, and make sure you clear away all the fallen leaves and twigs that might have been involved in the initial attack.
Many perennials are at risk of attack from several pests at once. If you’re having trouble with pests and diseases in your flower garden, look through the pages of books on plant pests or disease identification, and you’ll find many examples. And don’t just assume that because a plant is in bloom, that there’s no danger – some insects and even fungus species can live for only a few days! Other insects and even some mites (leafhoppers) can be present and feeding on flowers during their preparation to flower, and you won’t know they’re there until it’s too late!
To guard against fungi and other soil-based pests, you need a broad spectrum insecticide that controls both soil borne and airborne pests. Look for products that combine ironic and borax as ingredients, since these ingredients are highly effective at preventing fungal and bacterial infections. Borax, as part of an organic fertilizer, prevents microbial growth in the soil. And ironic, as an herbicide, interrupts the life cycle of an insect or bacteria just before it can complete its life cycle. Both products are applied to the flowers, where they act quickly. After a treatment, most insects are killed, and fewer seeds are dispersed to the soil.
What kills flowers instantly? Some viruses and bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus, are resistant to most pesticides. To protect your plants from such harmful elements, use organic fertilizers and avoid insecticides.
A healthy soil, free from harmful predators and free from disease is also essential to growing healthy flowers. But sometimes your soil simply isn’t quite up to the task. If you think you have an issue with your soil, contact a local nursery to help you get started on the right path. They will be able to tell you what kills flowers instantly and recommend solutions. Sometimes simple changes in the environment can make all the difference.