[Highfield]

 I have never grown these before.  Most are about 16" high and have loads of flowers and looking nice and healthy - all but one, which is a bit smaller and the leaves are sad and wilting - not discoloured and no sign of pests on the foliage and as well watered as the rest.. Flowers still there but fading a bit.  Should I pull it up and consign it to the compost in case it infects the others or just leave it and see what happens? 

Also I read to pinch out the tips - when does this has to be done please (and what purpose it serves 'cos I like to know!)

Thanks folks 

[Salmo]

There is probably a bug eating the roots.

If you dig the plant up and find the bug you are OK. If you dig it out and do not find the bug it may move to the next plant.

If you leave the plant where it is you will not catch the bug but it may be happy to stay with that plant.

Pull some soil away from the base of the plant and look for a bug. Leatherjacket or wireworm are chief suspects.

[Highfield]

Thanks - off to have a search!!

[Ropster]

you pinch the tips out when the first pods have formed and are about 4 inches long I think

the reason is to encourage pod growth and because blackfly love the tender tips and will invade, if they havent already

[Highfield]

Ah thank you - no sign of blackfly as yet mind you no pods either! And as yet no sign of any grubs though I found one wireworm  much to the delight of the chickens.  I will have a further search later to see if any others are lurking!

[p00rstudent]

mine are coated in blackfly despite being sprayed repeatdly with soapy water.

[muntjac]

mine are coated in blackfly despite being sprayed repeatdly with soapy water.

buya half ounce of drum tobacco and stick it in pot of water about a pint will do and let it brew in a warm sunny place .. strain and spray on the plants   

[p00rstudent]

i will have to give that a go cheers.

[Salmo]

Well done! Looks like wireworms are your problem. No doubt there are more.

[Aunt Sally]

mine are coated in blackfly despite being sprayed repeatdly with soapy water.

buya half ounce of drum tobacco and stick it in pot of water about a pint will do and let it brew in a warm sunny place .. strain and spray on the plants   

Thanks for popping in to visit us Munty.  We all miss you 

What you have suggested however, is now illegal and the forum cannot recommend it even if you do me deer