Although the burnet is quite robust and not susceptible, it can still be attacked by diseases and pests. Read here what they are and how you can provide first aid.
A he althy and properly cultivated burnet (Sanguisorba minor) has excellent resistance to most pathogens and pests. Occasionally, however, the plants suffer from downy mildew and aphids.
Don't worry! This does not necessarily mean the death of your plant. With the right first aid measures, you can counteract the pests and diseases. In order to protect against a repeated infestation, there are even appropriate preventive measures.
Diseases and pests of burnet at a glance
» Downy mildew: the harmful "bad weather fungus"
]Downy mildew is one of the "bad weather fungi" that thrive in damp environments. You can recognize the infestation by a white or gray coating on the underside of the leaves. In addition, the tops of the leaves can be brown, orange or purple. If left untreated, symptoms will spread to flowers and stems, eventually destroying burnet burnet.
Prevent and actively combat
The right preventive measures do not offer complete, but very extensive protection of burnet burnets against downy mildew. What to do?
- do not use nitrogen-rich fertilizers, use potassium-rich fertilizers
- keep generous plant and row spacing of 30 centimeters
- Do not plant burnets in full shade
- Do not plant burnets in damp locations
- water the soil, do not water the burnet leaves
If you find mildew on the burnet despite these measures, you can use effective fungicides that are also suitable for herbs and vegetables. Strictly follow the manufacturer's recommendations. As biological alternatives we recommend:
- Garlic sauce
- Horsetail Broth
- Stinging nettle manure
» Aphids: the sucking pests
Aphids feed on plant sap. You add theLeaves of the burnet sucking damage, which you can see as yellow discoloration. In addition, aphids leave their excrement on the burnet as sticky honeydew. With continued infestation, the leaves will wither and eventually curl up. If you look closely, you can see the tiny aphids themselves as green, grey, yellow or black spots on the underside of the leaves.
Prevent and actively combat
Make life difficult for aphids around your burnet like this:
- Create breeding opportunities for beneficial insects (dead wood hedges, lacewing boxes)
- Keep a distance of 30 centimeters between plants and rows
- Do not plant burnets in monoculture
- Introduce plants with essential oils such as lavender in the neighborhood
- potassium fertilizing
If you still discover aphids on the burnet burnet, give the plant a good shower. As amazing as it sounds, for a flightless aphid that has been sprayed just 25 centimeters from the burnet, the return journey is almost insurmountable. Also remove any leaves that are visibly clogged with honeydew. Preparations based on rapeseed oil and potash soap are effective and at the same time gentle on beneficial insects.