Accessories

Accessories for spotting and stopping problems early

Catching a pest problem while it's still a handful of insects rather than a visible infestation is the single biggest factor in how much damage it does. Yellow Sticky Insect Traps (£5.95 for 6) catch flying adults — thrips, fungus gnats, whitefly — long before numbers build enough to see damage on the leaves, and are worth hanging permanently rather than only once you suspect a problem.

Black nitrile gloves (£9.95) and the bulk Titan Grip box of 50 (£9.95) stop you spreading pests, disease or resin between plants on bare hands, and a Propagation Heat Mat (from £29.95) keeps vulnerable young plants at a stable temperature, since cold, stressed plants are more susceptible to both pests and mould. Power extension leads (from £7.00) and standard gaffer tape (£3.99) are the practical extras most growers end up needing once a treatment plan is actually running.

Buying advice

Check the undersides of a few leaves on each plant weekly rather than waiting for obvious damage — by the time speckling or webbing is visible from a normal glance, a mite population is already well established. See our spray bottles range to apply treatment once you've found something. Free UK delivery over £50, next-day available.