Description: Green plant sucking insects that stunt fern and reduce plant vigor
Control: Use insecticidal soaps or labeled insecticides
Problem: Asparagus Beetles Affected Area: Leaf
Description: Adult beetles are 1/4" long, metallic blue to black or orange colored with 6 to 12 spots on their wings. Eggs laid on spears look like shiny black specks.
Larvae are olive green to dark gray and 1/2" long. Larvae and grubs feed on foliage reducing leaf area and plant vigor and deforms or defoliates plants.
Control:
Lady beetles and other predators feed on this pest. Frequent cutting of shoots will afford some control.
In heavy infestations, use insecticides labeled for this pest. Adult beetles are 1/4" long, metallic blue to black or orange colored with 6 to 12 spots on their wings. Eggs laid on spears look like shiny black specks.
Larvae are olive green to dark gray and 1/2" long. Larvae and grubs feed on foliage reducing leaf area and plant vigor and deforms or defoliates plants.
Control: Lady beetles and other predators feed on this pest. Frequent cutting of shoots will afford some control.
Problem: Root Rot Diseases Affected Area: Fern tip
Description: Fungal diseases that reduce plant vigor and stands. Tips of ferns turn yellow and die followed by rest of stems and eventually plants. Spears are small and skinny.
Control: Reduce plant stress which may be caused by insects, over-watering, over cutting, drought and weed pressure.
Container Gardens