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Begonia corms and vine weevil

Sue & MuttonSue & Mutton Posts: 125
in Problem solving
Hi, last spring I had to get rid of all my begonia corms as they were full of vine weevil larvae. It was a great excuse to start again. I was checking them last week and once again the damn things are well and truly settled into the corms. If I apply sulphur powder will this have the affect of not only  keeping the corms fungus free but also killing the weevils? I've been prising out as many as I can but every time I check  them I'm finding more. I've used a soft brush to get rid of as much soil as possible and they're stored in box in wood shavings currently. Many thanks :-)

Posts

  • PalustrisPalustris Posts: 4,307
    I doubt it. Never found much other than nasty chemicals which will kill vine weevil grubs.
    You could try soaking the corms in dilute Neem oil with a little liquid soap added. It ought to at least encourage the beasts to leave the corms.
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    edited 15 January
    Would soaking them in water do the trick? I seem to remember someone recommended that.

    Found the old thread, but the OP didn't come back with an update. 
    https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/1062401/little-white-grubs-inside-begonia-tubers

    Possibly watering nematodes into the soil in late Spring may help.
  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    Pick them off.  (my robin loves them). Dispose of the old ompost.
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
  • Bee witchedBee witched Posts: 1,295
    I had them one year in some potted strawberries. I put the whole plant in a bucket of water for 24 hours.
    Many of the weevils had drowned and were floating on the surface .... seems they can't swim!
    I repeated this for a week later and there were just a couple. I did it once again and there were none.
    Plant was re-potted and none the worse for being dunked. 

    Much quicker then picking them out, so worth a try.

    Bee x

    Gardener and beekeeper in beautiful Scottish Borders  

    A single bee creates just one twelfth of a teaspoon of honey in her lifetime
  • BiljeBilje Posts: 811
    I used to have a collection of named primulas in small terracotta pots. They were prone to vine weevil attacks. I’ve done the 24 hour water soak treatment to good effect. 
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    That's good to know. Thanks.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • Sue & MuttonSue & Mutton Posts: 125
    Thanks all, I’ll give the corms a good dunking tomorrow. 
  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    Drowning VW larvae is a good idea.  Oxygen starvation no doubt.  But don't leave so long that the roots drown.
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
  • Allotment BoyAllotment Boy Posts: 6,774
    Having cleaned them,  I  would still treat pots with nematodes in summer.
    AB Still learning

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