Potted Geranium being attacked?

[RiverPerkins]

Hello Community! 
I bought a lovely red geranium a few weeks ago. It was beginning to flower nicely, but suddenly over night all the flowers were gone. I thought it was just the wind, but over another night the leaves are also gone. Not much of it is left and I’m starting to think something is eating or taken parts of it away. What could it be? 

 

[RiverPerkins]

In addition, I just noticed these potential droppings nearby on the ground! What could it be and any ideas on how to deter? Thank you 

 

 

[EricL · Accepted solution]

Hello @RiverPerkins 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about what is attacking your potted geranium.

It is very intriguing and a bit worrisome at the same time with the clues that were left behind. The attack on your plant was very clean, if it was caterpillars, insects or grubs, there would have been clear signs with the way your leaves were attacked. Insect bite marks would leave clues as they often just damage the leaf and not consume the whole thing. Whatever attacked your plant consumed whole sections and that includes the flower and its stems.

The next clue left behind were the droppings. It's possible that large rats or a possum came to visit your garden. If you have a security camera you could test this theory out. If you increase the motion sensitivity setting of the camera and point it towards your geranium it might catch the culprit in the act. In order to preserve what is left of your geranium, I propose covering it with a Jack 71 x 71cm Clear All Weather Plant Cover (it would be best to place the plant on the floor or flat surface). To prevent it from being lifted up or blown away by the wind, I propose tying water bottles on each corner with some rope.

Let me call on our experienced members @Noelle and @mich1972 for their recommendations.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[Noelle]

Looks a lot like possum damage to me! Rats don't usually eat plants in this manner so the chief suspect in my opinion would be a possum.

[Jason]

Hi @RiverPerkins,

There are lots of good suggestions for you from community members in the article How do you keep possums away?

Hope that helps.

Jason

[RiverPerkins]

Thanks everyone! Got some ideas to try, definitely want to keep the possums out.