End-of-Spring Downunder: Mussaenda philippica 'Bangkok Rose', also known as 'Queen Sirikit'

You have some gorgeous shrubs Bernieh, this is another beauty.

I agree with simbad

It's a very common shrub here Simbad ... some people hate the sight of their droopy flowers!!!

Bernieh:

How can anyone hate Mussaenda! Looking good!

My Mussaenda plant had a major caterpillar attack last month. It still has its flowers though.

Yes, I have to agree ... I don't know why some people don't like these shrubs. Maybe it's because they're such a common sight, that they become rather picky about the appearance of these flowers! Not really sure.

Sorry to hear about your Mussaenda ... sounds like it will come through though. Right now my plants are being attacked by both grasshoppers and caterpillars ... it's that time of year again.

Bernieh:

I wish Mussaenda was common sight here!

I did notice some of the leaves were chewed! Do you give them a systemic pesticide?

My plant is doing okay, considering the caterpillar attack. Most leaves looked chew and the flower is still holding.

What type of fertilizer to you use on your Mussaendas?

No, Andy, I don't use pesticides in the outdoor garden beds at all. I leave the plants to recover on their own ... they're all big enough to look after themselves now, lol! The only pest control I use would be the Confidor spray I use on my potted plants ... mainly for the mealy bugs.

I do use a concoction of garlic, chilli and water to repel grasshoppers ... it only really works for the little ones though. The big ones just laugh and keep on munching.

The fertilizer I use on the outdoor garden beds where the Mussaendas grow is just Blood and Bone. That's it.

Bernieh:

I rarely use pesticides either...however, this last summer was horrible for bugs! My large Croton (Codiaeum variegatum) which was growing so beautifully... had a huge attack of mites. It was so bad most of the leaves fell off! It's still trying to recover, even after 2 doses of systemic pesticide which is suppose to work for a year.

Thanks for the fertilizer information for the Mussaenda. I used to always keep blood meal on hand...it's a good high nitrogen fertilizer for Heliconias. It's probably why my Heliconias haven't bloomed in a couple of years.

The biggest problem I have here are the mealy bugs that infest most of my Impatiens ... and the huge grasshoppers and caterpillars that infest the plants every summer without fail! My Corydlines and Dracaenas look like Swiss Cheese at the end of a summer ... haven't found a deterrent for those creatures yet.

Bernieh:

I can completely relate. Mealy bugs, scale, ants, grasshoppers and giant green leaf hoppers (which are the worst...because they eat everything in sight) are major problems here too. I do have problems with caterpillars and spider mites on my Angel's trumpets also. Snails are a horrible, major problem here in winter.