Dahlia 'Melody Harmony'

Does anyone know what these little things are and what causes them? They have partly destroyed my dahlia plant

Looks like blackfly Dave and I am having the same trouble. You can buy a spray but if you prefer not to use chemicals you can spray with either the hose and rub them off or a mild soapy water spray. You may have to repeat this a few times. They seem very prevalent this year!

Thanks @rachelbrooks I'll try with the hose! Do you know what causes them?x

Just part of the garden Dave unfortunately! There are natural predators, small birds and ladybirds will help to control them to a degree, I think maybe as it was another mild winter there seem to be a lot of them...😏 let us know how you get on...

Yeah I will! I thought it may of been where I've been watering them. I water all my plants everyday. I just simply pour the water from a watering can. I don't give them loads of water just enough. But pouring water onto the plant directly and not onto the soil I've been told can damage the plant. Is this true? Silly question I know but is there a proper way to water your plants? How do you do yours? I water mine in the evening too when it's a lot cooler.

I feel bloody stupid asking this question lol @rachelbrooks

Never a stupid question - if you don't know, you don't know! 👍🏼 I had to ask advice about the blackfly the other day. I also have a lot of ants and I didn't know that the ants feed on what the blackfly secrete! So if you start seeing ants as well, that's why! And I always water in the evenings, when there is no direct sunlight on any of the plants. I use the hose and I'm quite liberal with it! Most plants I will happily water the foliage but a few I'm more careful with...roses, hollyhocks ⬇️

⬆️ and a couple of other plants which are prone to mildew so I gently water round the base. I water almost every evening, especially in this weather and always if I have planted a new plant 👍🏼

Ah! So it could've been the way I've been watering them that caused the black fly because the leaves went yellow and and looked a bit mouldy. Thankyou Rachel for your sound advice. If you have anymore I'd be pleased to listen!

Could do with some advice about dead heading etc please

Unlikely Dave, I think they normally go for young plants or fresh stems, as they sap the goodness out of the plant, which could be the cause of the yellowing leaves, not sure about the mouldy bit though 🤔dead heading is dead easy...once the flower has gone over just nip out the flower down to the next pair of leaves, either with your thumb and finger if it's a soft plant (like bedding) or snips/secateurs if it's a woodier plant/shrub 👍🏼

Great! Thankyou @rachelbrooks for your advice. Your a diamond. I'll put pics up and let you know how it's all going.....oh and for some more advice 😀