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Clematis nibbler?

BijdezeeBijdezee Posts: 1,484
edited April 2019 in Problem solving
Sorry, I don't have a photo right now but I was wondering if anyone knows which beasties like to eat the tips of clematis buds (large flowered, the President) also making holes. I cannot see any slugs snails or earwigs around. I have been out 2 nights running and only seen a few ants. Any ideas? 

Posts

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    It probably is slugs, snails or earwigs.   They are very cunning about it.
    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)."
    Plato
  • TinyGardenGIrlTinyGardenGIrl Posts: 169
    I had an issue with my rose buds being eaten clean off. So i looked up youtube videos and make a strong chilli and garlic paste which i put on my buds. It put the pest right off them. 
  • TinyGardenGIrlTinyGardenGIrl Posts: 169
    Made*
  • BijdezeeBijdezee Posts: 1,484
    Hmmm that's a thought Tiny, might try that. Strangely, slugs and snails are thin on the ground here. I have no idea why, especially snails. I have only seen about 4/5 in almost 3 years and only ever a few small slugs under rocks. Earwigs have been a problem before so I suspected them but haven't seen them either. 
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited April 2019
    Snails hide ... then at night they pop out and shin up the clematis stems (stripping the bark as they climb) and then feast on the buds. Naughty 🐌 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • BijdezeeBijdezee Posts: 1,484
    I think I just found the culprit, a moth caterpillar. I threw him in the field behind us, can't bring myself to squish it. 
  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,529
    I don’t have many snails, either and not spotted a slug yet, bijdezee, but I do have problems with earwigs munching rose buds. Best check my newly planted clematis!
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
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