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Caterpillars eating buddleia plant

Courtney-PCourtney-P Posts: 17
in Problem solving
Hello, my buddleia (currently in a very very large pot) is being eaten alive by black and white caterpillars! It looks very sorry for itself and also has little black bugs underneath some of the leaves. Any ideas on what I can do to keep the plant healthy please?! Thank you!

Posts

  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    It will probably survive the assault. If there are any buddleia growing wild locally you could relocate the caterpillars there? Would be a shame to kill caterpillars on a butterfly bush 🤔
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • Courtney-PCourtney-P Posts: 17
    That’s fine, I was worrying it was going to give up as it’s also very droopy despite me keeping it watered! Is there any specific plant food I should be giving it to help it stay healthy? 
  • Alan Clark2 in LiverpoolAlan Clark2 in Liverpool Posts: 2,190
    Possibly the Mullein Moth.

    http://www.wildlifeinsight.com/british-moths/the-mullein-moth-and-caterpillar/
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Is it a buddleia that's suited to pot cultivation? There are some newer types which are, but if it isn't one of those, it'll be struggling in a pot. That will make it more susceptible to attacks. 
    Feeding it while it's struggling isn't a good idea. What are you growing it in too? Compost alone is no use for long term planting in pots. It just dries out and disappears, and any nutrients only last for a short time. The root system may well be filling the pot too, so there may well be very little to sustain it or to hold onto moisture. 

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Courtney-PCourtney-P Posts: 17
    Thanks Fairygirl - it is in a very very large pot (we can’t lift it) - it will be going in the ground but it’s a sentimental plant and we’re waiting to move house, and want to take it with me! When you say compost alone is not good, what would you recommend adding to the pot for the time being please? 

    Also Alan, it’s definitely a mullein moth, saw one land on the plant last night and do some crazy dance (only way I can describe it!) :) 
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    My NDN has one in a pot and it's doing ok. I'd suggest cutting it hard back in the autumn or when you transplant it. It's best kept small and is fine with hard pruning.
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