Photinia Aphid Infestation
MTB79
Posts: 52
Hi,
A few months ago I bought a sorry looking photinia, mainly because as I was walking around the garden centre it was shoved into a hidden corner of the reduced section and I felt sorry for it. I then went and planted it in my front garden and trimmed off the damaged or and dying bits and regularly fed and watered it. After a few weeks new growth started appearing on it, but unlike my other photinia the leaves were coming out all twisted, distorted and stayed small. Last night when watering I had a proper good look at it and it is riddled with aphids around the new growth.
My question is, what is best to do? I don’t want to use a pesticide as there are a few ladybirds on there trying to help the situation. The photinia looks a bit stressed, should I continue feeding it or will that encourage more aphid friendly soft growths to appear and make the situation worse?
Would you say I am at risk of losing it considering its condition wasn’t great when I got it or will it be fine to ride it out until autumn when they die off?
Thanks 
Posts
It could be the aphids that are causing the damage to your photinia or it could be that you bought a bit of a lemon.......it may have been in the reduced section because it couldn't keep up with its peers and doesn't have the ooomph to make a good plant.
Your best course of action is to squish the aphids by hand (go on......its not that bad) and keep an eye on the plant. Give it a few months and if it doesn't improve, get rid of it.