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aloha2009

Shasta Daisy needs help

8 years ago

I was looking forward to seeing a huge explosion of my Shasta Daisy "Becky" this year. They are loaded with buds BUT....when the 1st flowers started to bloom this past week, they looked a little lackluster. On closer inspection, I've seen small little bugs, perhaps mites on them??? I also saw what first looked like a fly, but it wasn't. It's not infested (2-3 of the fly like bug) so I tried hosing them off. I'd rather stay away from pesticides but I want to get this under control and have a decent enough show this year.


Is this a bad year for bugs for Daisies this year? Is anyone having or has had problems in the past? I utilize the daisies in several locations in my garden, so w/o a decent show, my garden is severely lacking this year. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Comments (4)

  • 8 years ago

    I don't know about Colorado but aphids in the trees are horrible this year. Along with pale green, there is a multitude of tiny black aphids.


    "Honeydew" sounds so harmless and I suppose it's a better name than aphid poop. Bespatters everything beneath, including the Dodge pickup. Loved by the ants, fortified - those bugs go on to cause other problems. I've noticed that the flies like it too. Of course ...


    Aphids like Shasta Daisies. Earwigs like Shasta Daisies. Some kind of leafroller likes Shasta Daisies. Everything, chews on the plant!


    Aphids can be fairly easy to kill with neem or insecticidal soap but we don't chew on Shasta Daisies so I'm inclined to use a systemic. Earwigs are tuff, after all! Wishing You Luck, Aloha! White flowers really set off everything else - a big plus in the ornamentals.


    Steve

    aloha2009 thanked digit (ID/WA, border)
  • 8 years ago

    So far, so good with my Shasta daisies, but they’re just starting to open so I’ll keep my eye out too. I did see another bloom (can’t remember what it was...my daughter had picked it and the bloom was sitting on the deck) and when I got close we I saw that the petals were teeming with very tiny black bugs. I didn’t think much of it at the time.

    aloha2009 thanked Faith
  • 8 years ago

    Aloha, how are the rest of yours doing? Mine have opened up and are doing fine. I’m glad, because I have a LOT of them. In fact, if you’d like to come over and dig some of mine up, you are welcome to.

  • 8 years ago

    Faith, just now reading your message. That was so kind of you to offer some of yours! I've actually have a lot already myself (gave a 20 gallon trash can full of starts away this spring).

    The one large clump of daisies continues to not flower as well as most of the others. The yellow middle is more of a dark mustard color/brownish and I'm still not sure why. I have another clump nearby that's doing much better, but still not great. Both of these clumps I noticed a weird bug on (now I don't have the bug - didn't spray any chemicls). The plants that I newly seperated and in the backyard are doing great and have very vivid contrasting colors.

    It might not be getting enough sun but last year it did great. I have beautiful foilage a ton of flowers but they just have a muttled yellow that doesn't look great up close. It's in a location that I want something spectacular as long as possible. I'll likely exchange it out and try something else in it's place.

    This plant keeps me guessing as to why it does better in some places and others not. I put a row of daisies along a retaining wall 2 years ago or so. Some of the clumps are doing wonderful, while others are waining in vigor. I wish I knew the differences. I continue to use this flower as it does flower like no other that I have found.