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Shredded harts tongue ferns

BerkleyBerkley Posts: 431
in Plants
The RHS suggest that these plants are generally pest-free but mine have clearly been attacked by something. Many of the leaves are shredded right back to the central spine and others are full of holes. This is the first time I have grown them and would appreciate some advice: is it likely to be slug or caterpillar damage? Should I remove the damaged leaves? Should I have sprayed them?
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Posts

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    Agree with philippa - any chance of a photo?
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • Paul B3Paul B3 Posts: 3,154
    Are you absolutely certain that your ferns are being attacked by something ?
    It is the norm (at this time of the year) for last years fronds to take-on a tattered appearance as they naturally decay .
    I grow several Asplenium spp. , and A . scolopendrium really looks bad at the moment ; best to remove all old fronds to make space for the new .
  • BerkleyBerkley Posts: 431

    Thank you for your comments: photo attached:


  • Silver surferSilver surfer Posts: 4,719
    Thanks for adding clear pic.
    OMG..never seen one like that ..chewed right down to the  bare mid rib.
    Never known anything to damage them before like that.
    Perthshire. SCOTLAND .
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Could it have been dinner for some really hungry vine weevils?  Really really hungry ones 😱

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





  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    I'd put my money on vine weevil too, but winter moth caterpillars can cause similar sorts of damage.  Have a good look around the centre of the plant and underneath any leaves low to or on the ground (at night with a torch will give you the best chance of seeing either.)
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • Paul B3Paul B3 Posts: 3,154
    edited January 2020
    Wow...!!! Just returned to this thread ; seeing the photo now that is definitely more than natural decay of last years fronds .
    Agree with the above comments !
  • BerkleyBerkley Posts: 431
    Thanks for all comments: I have had a good look at plants and can’t find any lurking culprits .... surprised that adult vineweevils might be up and about so early in the year. All plants are still alive - so should I leave them as they are and hope for the best? I’m wondering when the damage occurred. I’m sure they were OK in September but was in hospital/recuperating in October/November. Maybe it happened then? I really am hoping they will survive and appreciate your help. 
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I cut my all Hart’s Tongue ferns hard back in March so that gets rid of any old weather damaged leaves etc and reveals the beauty of the fresh young croziers as they appear. 

    Hopefully the damage was a one off and the next crop of leaves don’t get eaten ... if they do then maybe a vine weevil sticky trap will reveal the culprits. 

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





  • BerkleyBerkley Posts: 431
    Thanks dovefromabove 
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