Charente, France

Sick Malva Sylvestris

Hi everyone.

A few weeks ago I planted two identical malva sylvestris. They both seemed fine except that I noticed the flowers of one of them began to change colour. Both were pale pink with deep purple veining. Now the sick one is more violet pink with no veining.

I've just been out having a look around after a few days torrential rain and that same plant is not looking well.

The flowers are fine but the leaves and leaf stalks are dying all over the plant. No colour change, just wilted and dried looking. I can't see any pest damage on any of the leaves.

Since the rain, both plants are also covered in Pyrrhocoris Apteris (is that correct?) firebugs...the sick one more than the other. According to what I've read these insects are not supposed to cause damage.

Is it just a coincidence that the insects are there or could there be some other reason that the plant is ailing.

Either way, can anyone suggest a diagnosis and (hopefully) a cure?

Sorry, I can't provide a photo at the moment!

• 9 Jun, 2011