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A gastropod that has a coiled shell, and feeds on plants. It wreaks similar damage to slugs, and can be controlled in the same way too.

An organism that grows and feeds on another. Completely parasitic plants have no leaves or chlorophyll, relying entirely upon the host for nourishment. Semi-parasitic plants have leaves and are able to produce some of their own food.

A green or brown leaf-eating bug that feeds on the sap of young growth, causing damage to flowers and leaves. It commonly affects outdoor ornamental plants, such as caryopteris, chrysanthemum, clematis, dahlia, forsythia, fuchsia, hydrangea

is not a problem, but in excess the plants will suffer and could even die.Smudges of white, waxy deposits appear at the base of phormium leaves, deposited by sap-feeding insects. The mealybug can cause loss of vigour in the plant and, in extreme cases

Regularly water crops in pots and growing bags, daily if needed in warm weather Plant trailing tomatoes in hanging basketsFeed young plants weekly with a solution of liquid fertiliserVentilate the greenhouse during the day, but close vents

before replacing the pots.More advice on feeding and watering plantsHow to save water in your gardenHow to "fit guttering on your greenhouseTips on watering your plantsHow to water hanging basketsFeeding your plantsMulching beds and borders, with advice

Tie greenhouse tomatoes to their supports as they growFeed plants with full-strength fertiliser solution once a week, or apply a more diluted feed every few daysApply shading paint or put up shade netting or blindsOpen doors and vents daily

Pick bulbils from lily stems and pot them up to raise new plantsGive shrubs and perennial plants a liquid feedCut down delphiniums once flower spikes fadeTake cuttings from non-flowering shoots on hydrangeasPick sweet peas regularly and remove any

or trays, including basil, chives, parsley, fennel and coriander Plant up pots with the summer-flowering bulbs tiger flower (Tigridia), gloriosa and eucomisStart feeding houseplants weekly with a liquid feedPinch out shoot tips on fuchsias to encourage

Collect leaves as they fall and store in a wire bin or plastic bag to make leaf-mould Leave out sunflower seed heads for the birds to feed onCollect sprinklers, drip-feed systems and other watering kit to store in the shed over winterSprinkle grass