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Verbascum flowering issue!

karim.2724karim.2724 Posts: 9
in Problem solving
Hello,

I have two verbascums that have grown very tall after planting late-ish last summer. Plenty of buds. However the flowers are very underwhelming - if they flower at all. It looks like the stem is covered in fine dew and small black insects - wondering if that is causing this? Also, maybe of note - occasional foaming (?) on the stem as well. The flower pictured is about as good as it gets!

Any help is much appreciated. Thanks!!

Pictures:


Posts

  • CeresCeres Posts: 2,698
    The white froth on your plants is cuckoo spit. In the midst of the froth you will find a small green insect. https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/solve-problems/cuckoo-spit/
    I can't see any black insects in your photos but that might just be my eyesight. They could be blackfly.....they seem to be plentiful this year. Ants milk them for the honeydew they produce. https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/solve-problems/aphids/
    Some forms of verbascum have sparse flowers. Do you know the name of the variety you planted?


  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    In the top photo they are seed heads,  it’s already flowered. You cut that stem back to the ground.
    The 2nd photo shows flowers coming,  keep it watered if you in a drought area. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • karim.2724karim.2724 Posts: 9
    thankyou all! I have acted accordingly and removed some seed heads and will give some very good watering over coming days. 

    Re: possibly blackfly. Below photos may better demonstrate!


  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445
    edited June 2023
    I think that Verbascum is V. phoeniceum, I always find those a bit underwhelming. The odd one is OK, peeping out between other plants but on the whole not much


    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    Those stems are all finished so cut them right down and put in your compost bin. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    V. phoenicium "Violetta" I think. It does tend to have long sparse flower spikes that flop over if not staked. Nice colour though, so I put up with its not-so-good habits and have it amongst other things.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • karim.2724karim.2724 Posts: 9
    Lyn said:
    Those stems are all finished so cut them right down and put in your compost bin. 
    Yup, did this last night! This is just before they went in
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    I put up with then as well,  they usually get eaten by hundreds of caterpillars from the Mullein moth, (I think). But I don’t mind that,  food of birds and potential food for bats. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

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