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Daylillies

tony williams2tony williams2 Posts: 288
in Problem solving
Hi my daylillies are smitten with a wee insect turning my daylillies  buds into a mess and not flower what are these little maggots ? and how can it be stopped please. Thanks Tony.,

Posts

  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    It is the Day Lilly Gall Midge.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    The only real treatment is to pick off affected buds.
    Some people do use systemic insecticides, although my understanding is [ not personal experience ] is that they don't work.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • BorderlineBorderline Posts: 4,700
    I agree, they don't work and will be wasting your time, because it's all about timing which is tricky depending on your local climate. You can tell when you have this issue when the buds swell up like a round ball, or they are more shorter and rounded and unlike the more pointed shape. Just nip them off when you see that. 

    It's been said that if you choose certain plants that are known to flower much later, you are less likely to encounter this.
  • Alan Clark2 in LiverpoolAlan Clark2 in Liverpool Posts: 2,190
    They were introduced into the UK around the start of the century, and have now spread to most of the country. Insecticide is thought to be fairly effective, but it won't stop them coming into your garden from elsewhere. Last year I removed affected buds and flushed them down the toilet This year I have used insecticide, and although there are some affected buds the infestation seems to be less severe. 

    The good news is that they are only active early in the season so they will not be a problem later in the year. For that reason I now tend to avoid early-flowering varieties.
  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    Pick the fatter buds off, which are usually the ones affected and burn them if possible, or send in council waste bin if not. Flush down the loo is another option I had not thought of.
  • tony williams2tony williams2 Posts: 288
    Ok thanks for your comments. Tony.
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