Inspect a struggling plant before treating it

When to do it

At the first sign of unexpected damage, or during regular checks.

What you need

• Phone or notebook
• Hand lens if available
• Plant name and care history

How to do it

1. Identify the plant and photograph the whole plant, affected parts and nearby healthy plants. Record when symptoms began.
2. Check moisture beside the roots, drainage, light and recent heat, frost or feeding changes. These can mimic pest damage.
3. Look underneath leaves, along stems and at new growth for insects, eggs, webbing, droppings or lesions. Do not assume every insect is the cause.
4. Compare old and new leaves and the pattern across the bed. Correct an obvious watering fault, but avoid several simultaneous treatments that obscure the cause.
5. If damage spreads, roots collapse or the cause remains unclear, seek a local nursery, extension service or state plant-health authority. Send clear photos first; do not transport suspect material without instructions.

What success looks like

• You can describe the pattern and likely cause before choosing a response.

Watch out for

• Buying a spray from one yellow leaf.
• Confusing a predator with a pest.

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