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Heuchera

GunStreetGirlGunStreetGirl Posts: 62
in Plants
I planted 4 heuchera in early November, and they seemed to be doing well until about 3 weeks ago when 3 of the 4 seem to be dying. I've now cut all the stems right down on the 3 plants as all had withered. Not sure if it was due to the snow cover we had.
Are they likely to regrow? I'm not sure if the roots are dead. Would you dig one up to see, or just leave and hope for the best. Thanks.

Posts

  • rachelQrtJHBjbrachelQrtJHBjb Posts: 819
    Are they in pots or in the ground. Is it possible their root systems have been attacked by vine weevil? They love heuchera. Try and give the plants a gentle pull to see if they are loose in the soil, or dig one up to investigate. If they are dying off it's quite likely a root problem.

    I've seen them in gardens in the Alps so I doubt it's the snow.
  • CeresCeres Posts: 2,698
    I suspect you have an attack of the dreaded vine weevil larvae. They burrow into the roots and munch away until there is nothing connecting the top of the plant to the root system and that is when the top withers and falls over. I suggest you dig up all the plants and have a look for fat, white larvae or white pupae in the soil and in the stem. If you find some, leave them on a saucer for the birds to eat.
    This doesn't mean that your plants are beyond hope. Heuchera will grow again from a length of stem (with a couple of leaves if you have any leaves left).  Pop them in some clean, new soil (larvae-free) and protect them from the elements until they have started to regrow. You can keep heuchera going for years by this method.
    Vine weevil are very fond of heuchera and many other potted plants so if you have a bad infestation you can apply nematodes https://www.rhs.org.uk/Advice/profile?PID=234



  • GunStreetGirlGunStreetGirl Posts: 62
    @rachelQrtJHBjb they are in the ground. The remaining one is looking good, though it is a different type (purple, where the dying ones are a lighter orange colour). I may lift one to see.
  • rachelQrtJHBjbrachelQrtJHBjb Posts: 819
    I would lift one just to satisfy yourself all is well with the root system.
  • shane.farrellshane.farrell Posts: 207
    I'd see what happens. At this time of year it's my standard ploy 😊
  • K67K67 Posts: 2,506
    Waiting is not an option if its vine weevil,  once the grubs turn into weevils you will never be rid of them.




  • WilderbeastWilderbeast Posts: 1,415
    We've just had our 1st attack if vine weevil, it's a total pain in the backside. 4 new heuchera plants I bought last autumn in pots ready to plant out have all kealed over dead, they were all the same variety and were absolutely riddled with the grubs. I'd be digging up the plants and looking carefully for the white grubs 
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    Since I've switched to using a mix of mainly garden soil and well-rotted manure for potting heucheras, I've had virtually no trouble with vine weevil in those pots and none at all on the ones in the ground.  The pests are definitely still present in my garden, as evidenced by their attack on my potted strawberries, most of which have now been dumped.  However, I'm a step ahead of the little s*ds and planted the main crop of strawberries in the ground last year.  B)
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
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