Update on the penstemons (haven’t seen the postman)... as requested by @AnniD
Noticed a few tiny holes in the leaves - not visible here - the rusty-coloured bugs were barely pinhead size, so it could be a combination of the natural discolouration @B3 mentioned and the bugs? Washed with a weak potassium soap solution in the evening then rinsed off in the morning before the sun hit. Will repeat that a few times. Leaves also looking a bit chlorotic, was going to give an acid feed, but then read some cultivars like alkaline soil, others prefer acid to neutral but can’t find out what Raven prefers. My soil is very alkaline, tho, so might try it...
Probably not critical, the plants are growing new leaves, which is good!
Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
Thanks for the update @Nollie Hopefully that will do the trick. I don't think "Raven" prefers a special type of soil. it could just be that it's been weakened by whatever was attacking it. Penstemons like a moist but well drained soil apparently ( "moist but well drained" always seems to me like an oxymoron). Hopefully the new leaves will turn out to be a healthy colour. Fingers crossed !
Hi @AnniD and penstemon growers in general...further update...
After a few potassium soap washes and an acid feed, the penstemons have really picked up and have lost their spots! Yes, the moist but well drained bit always seems like a get-out clause from the plant breeders, doesn’t it?
Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
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Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Noticed a few tiny holes in the leaves - not visible here - the rusty-coloured bugs were barely pinhead size, so it could be a combination of the natural discolouration @B3 mentioned and the bugs? Washed with a weak potassium soap solution in the evening then rinsed off in the morning before the sun hit. Will repeat that a few times. Leaves also looking a bit chlorotic, was going to give an acid feed, but then read some cultivars like alkaline soil, others prefer acid to neutral but can’t find out what Raven prefers. My soil is very alkaline, tho, so might try it...
Probably not critical, the plants are growing new leaves, which is good!
Hopefully that will do the trick. I don't think "Raven" prefers a special type of soil. it could just be that it's been weakened by whatever was attacking it. Penstemons like a moist but well drained soil apparently ( "moist but well drained" always seems to me like an oxymoron). Hopefully the new leaves will turn out to be a healthy colour. Fingers crossed !
After a few potassium soap washes and an acid feed, the penstemons have really picked up and have lost their spots! Yes, the moist but well drained bit always seems like a get-out clause from the plant breeders, doesn’t it?