I did not intend to suggest that vine weevil only came into our gardens via clematis. They will come into our gardens in any potted plant, once there it does not take the beetle long to move from its host pot to any other potted plants in the vicinity. Their particular favourite are fuschias but I have found begonia corms just shells and full of the grubs.
Unfortunately not all nurseries are as careful with their stock as they should be, possibly because it takes money and time to control the pest which has come in from abroad.
Some of my clematis flowers have finished and I am left with feathery seed heads - can you advise on collecting, storing or sowing immediately - when is the best time to sow, and do I use a special compost, or just sow as normal seeds in a black module tray, watering when the compost is still damp or let it dry out? Any suggestions please?
@Joyce Goldenlily I'm afraid you are mistaken ... the vine weevil is native to Northern Europe and has lived in our field banks, hedgerows and woodlands for millennia. Nurseries and garden centres are not to blame for their spread. They are all around us and always have been.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I learn something every day! I wonder why the weevil has not been in the headlines for millenia as a pest. I have several old gardening books and none of them mention the dreaded vine weevil. Unless they had bigger problems on their hands like earwigs, woolly aphids and the such like or just classified a range of insects as "weevil".
Weevil do so much damage, not only chewing the leaves of plants but eating the succulent roots unseen, until the plant suddenly collapses by which time it is often too late to rescue it.
I have to say I derive some satisfaction from squashing any weevil I chance upon under my size 9 boots.
I found a vine weevil in the soil whilst weeding yesterday but didn't recognise it as such. First one I've met. I shall be in the same patch again today so will keep an eye out and squish.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
The vine weevil beetle is usually more active at night. It is an unremarkable, dull brown-black elongated beetle which moves fairly slowly so easy to catch and stamp on. They hang out around containers where they lay their eggs. The pupae are C shaped, creamy white, found amongst the root ball of container grown plants. A strong thumb and index finger are useful to dispatch them or constant dosing with Provada or similar weevil killer.
This was on its own about 6" down in soil. I was fossicking for bindweed roots. I had previously planted out perennial cornflowers, geraniums, white lyychnis coronaria, erysimum Bowles Mauve and some annual gazanias so assumed any losses were due to drought or age.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
The vine weevil beetle is usually more active at night. It is an unremarkable, dull brown-black elongated beetle which moves fairly slowly so easy to catch and stamp on. They hang out around containers where they lay their eggs. The pupae are C shaped, creamy white, found amongst the root ball of container grown plants. A strong thumb and index finger are useful to dispatch them or constant dosing with Provada or similar weevil killer.
I always put any grubs in a container for the birds, they don't take long to go!
Verve peat free multipurpose compost I will get some larger pots.
I used this once a while ago, not long after B&Q introduced it - it was the worst year ever for my hanging baskets and window boxes and I vowed I would never touch the stuff again!
Posts
I did not intend to suggest that vine weevil only came into our gardens via clematis. They will come into our gardens in any potted plant, once there it does not take the beetle long to move from its host pot to any other potted plants in the vicinity. Their particular favourite are fuschias but I have found begonia corms just shells and full of the grubs.
Unfortunately not all nurseries are as careful with their stock as they should be, possibly because it takes money and time to control the pest which has come in from abroad.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I learn something every day! I wonder why the weevil has not been in the headlines for millenia as a pest. I have several old gardening books and none of them mention the dreaded vine weevil. Unless they had bigger problems on their hands like earwigs, woolly aphids and the such like or just classified a range of insects as "weevil".
Weevil do so much damage, not only chewing the leaves of plants but eating the succulent roots unseen, until the plant suddenly collapses by which time it is often too late to rescue it.
I have to say I derive some satisfaction from squashing any weevil I chance upon under my size 9 boots.
I always put any grubs in a container for the birds, they don't take long to go!
I used this once a while ago, not long after B&Q introduced it - it was the worst year ever for my hanging baskets and window boxes and I vowed I would never touch the stuff again!