Guarding Your Plants
Ridding your Japanese Garden of Pests
It is important to constantly be on guard for pests that infiltrate your Japanese miniature garden. Many pests are not small in size and their presence becomes quickly noticeable. It is observed that a well-maintained garden is comparatively free from pest attack but you still need to be alert. More often than not, slow moving creatures are considered the "pests" while fast moving insects are considered the "gardener's friend" since they feed on pests. The most common enemies of plants, both outdoors and indoors, are Aphids or greenfly. Others of the family include Mealy Bugs. They are sucking insects that are generally black or green in color and are found on foliage and buds -- especially on new growth. They multiply with unbelievable rapidity so it is essential to get rid of them quickly. In order to protect plants from damage, spray them with a dilution of liquid Derris. Besides the visible portion, spray under the surfaces and crevices. Spray several times, in order to exterminate new arrivals that generally tend to thrive during the interim. In case the Derris spray does not work, use a stronger solution preferably nicotine based.
Other enemies of plants and soil in Japanese gardens include caterpillars, earwigs, snails, slugs, woodlice and millipedes. Though ants and earthworms can help improve the condition of an ordinary garden, they can harm the growth of plants in a Japanese garden. However, there are several pests such as ladybirds, dragonflies, centipedes, glowworms and red velvet mites that prove to be plant-friendly.
There are two types of pests that help in plant growth. They are as follows:
- Centipede: It is light in color and very beneficial for plant growth.
- Red Velvet Mite: A tiny spider flat and red in color. It appears greenish in color when moving quickly. It survives under the leaves by covering itself with a web film.
For further help keeping your Japanese garden pest free, consult your local nursery. They can advise you on the proper treatments for affected plants as well as the best methods of ridding your Japanese garden of unfriendly creatures.