ALT A person holds a potted plant on its side. Additional text on a green background reads: Inspect, Insect?, Correct! The golden root mealybug is a relentless species that can survive outdoors all year round, with large populations known to deplete plant health and stunt growth, causing leaves to turn yellow, deform or fall off. To avoid these devastating effects, follow these simple root check steps before introducing your plants to their new home.
ALT A person inspects plant roots with tweezers. Additional text on a pink background reads: Step 1: Inspect. When you buy a new plant, before going anywhere near the garden make sure you depot the plant and check its roots for signs of the mealybug or any other concerning plant health issues that could threaten your garden.
ALT A de-potted plant lies on its side. Golden root mealybugs can be seen in clusters in the soil. Additional text on a yellow background reads: Step 2: Insect? Once your plant is de-potted, here is what to look out for: Golden root mealybugs. In the roots, these can be distinguished by their distinctive sulphur-yellow wax coating and broadly oval shape. Young nymph-stage root mealybugs may appear as white specks the size of small grains of rice.
ALT A person closes a hazardous waste disposal plastic bag with a de-potted plant and a plant pot inside it. Additional text on a green background reads: Step 3: Correct! If you find any signs of the mealybug, make sure you safely dispose of the plant by depositing it into a brown bin for garden waste. It’s then important to sanitise the area that you de-potted the plant in as well as the tools used. If you bought the plant from a local garden centre, make sure to call them to report the infestation, as this can help to prevent it from spreading further.
ALT An Amorpohphallus bud, withering, folded in half, with the long spadix draped over the pot.
ALT A closeup of the Amorpohphallus spathe, showing fungal growth in small patches in the crevices.
ALT Fine, threadlike fungus growing on a cut surface on the lower section of the Amorphophallus.
ALT An internal shot of the Amorphophallus showing the true flowers - pollen producing flowers at the top, seed producing flowers below. Small spots of decay are visible and there is pollen scattered about.
ALT One horticulturist stands at the top of a ladder whilst two stand at the bottom to keep it steady and measure the inflorescence.
ALT The Amorphophallus in full bloom in the Glasshouses at night, lit dramatically so the ribbed exterior and tall spadix catches the light and showcases the dark red interior of the spathe as it fans out.
ALT A person stands at the base of a plant pot looking up at the huge unfurling flower of the Titan Arum, standing in a Glasshouse at night.
ALT An Amorphophallus bloom in a glasshouse near midnight, looking quite spectacular even if it does say so itself.
ALT One of the horticultural supervisors is using her phone to take a picture of the Amorphophallus.
ALT The tip of a Titan Arum bud peeking over the edge of an air pot.
ALT A chunky Titan Arum bud in a barky compost mix.
ALT The tip of a Titan Arum bud peeking over the edge of an air pot.
ALT Group of people in library looking at books with botanical drawings.
