Sweet pea leaves with marks on them

Posts

• Liriodendron Posts: 8,328

  May 2021

  If you can't see any pests like aphids there's no point spraying against them, to be honest... if it's a pest it could well have been and gone.  But have a careful look to make sure there are no little bugs which jump up when you touch the foliage (those would be thrips), or cast-off skins from growing aphids which are hiding somewhere.
  
  Is it just the older leaves which are affected?  And are the marks just on the upper surface?  

  Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.

  0
• MShah2021 Posts: 4

  May 2021 edited May 2021

  Liriodendron said:

  If you can't see any pests like aphids there's no point spraying against them, to be honest... if it's a pest it could well have been and gone.  But have a careful look to make sure there are no little bugs which jump up when you touch the foliage (those would be thrips), or cast-off skins from growing aphids which are hiding somewhere.
  
  Is it just the older leaves which are affected?  And are the marks just on the upper surface?  

  Thanks for the advice. I saw one blackfly on them but no greenfly which are usually visible so I think you're right that whatever did the damage may have been and gone. Some of the leaves were sawn in half. No sign of bugs jumping off or cast off skins. The damage is on both older and newer leaves. 

  0
• Obelixx Posts: 30,090

  May 2021

  It could be something very simple like hailstone damage or a passing pest or a watering problem.
  
  Never a good idea to spray unless you have identified the pest and not been able to deal with it without using indiscriminate chemicals that also kill the good guys.

  Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
  

  "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."

  Plato
  

  0
• MShah2021 Posts: 4

  May 2021

  Obelixx said:

  It could be something very simple like hailstone damage or a passing pest or a watering problem.
  
  Never a good idea to spray unless you have identified the pest and not been able to deal with it without using indiscriminate chemicals that also kill the good guys.

  Even the so called non toxic varieties which is what I used?

  0
• Obelixx Posts: 30,090

  May 2021 edited May 2021

  If it's not toxic how does it kill the pests?  And how does the "non toxic" recognise it shouldn't be killing a ladybird, hover fly, lacewing or bee?   And how does it know not to make sick the nestlings of the birds like tits and sparrows that will feed the lovely juicy aphids to their young because they need the moisture and the protein to grow and fledge?

  Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
  

  "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."

  Plato
  

  0
• Fairygirl Posts: 55,117

  May 2021

  No chemical is non toxic. 
  The sawn in half leaves will have been slugs. 
  They look quite congested there. That can often lead to problems with pests, as there's poor airflow, and they are always attracted to weaker plants.
  However, it could be any of the answers already given, ie - weather or a small pest attack. Greenfly are always attracted to the soft new growth on sweet peas, but the biggest problem is often leaf miner. That isn't what you have though.

  It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
  
  
  
  I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...

  0
• MShah2021 Posts: 4

  May 2021

  Fairygirl said:

  No chemical is non toxic. 
  The sawn in half leaves will have been slugs. 
  They look quite congested there. That can often lead to problems with pests, as there's poor airflow, and they are always attracted to weaker plants.
  However, it could be any of the answers already given, ie - weather or a small pest attack. Greenfly are always attracted to the soft new growth on sweet peas, but the biggest problem is often leaf miner. That isn't what you have though.

  Thanks 😊

  0