Yes, I like murdering both lily beetles and vine weevils, but lily beetles are the best. My lilies are in pots, I've got about 8 big pots atm - there's no point putting them in the garden, they never appear again.
The beetles are not difficult to spot once you realise that they can burrow into the bud or leaf axils a bit. I put one hand underneath them in case they drop off - which they will do if they sense you coming - and they deliberately turn upside down so when they drop onto the soil you can't see them. I keep a count and see if I can beat it every day. I am not obsessed...........
I also squish the larvae, which is really gross. If you leave it for a week then you'll get damage. Since the first year, when my plants were stripped completely and covered in black goo (I thought they'd got a nasty disease), there's been no serious damage and lots of beautiful flowers. Which reminds me, I ought to be repotting them - and I will find some of the red blighters in the soil.
If I did grow them in the garden and had lots, I think I would def use the chemical.
It's Provado for me - the only way I am not a truly organic gardener. I hate to admit defeat and if there was any other effective way of getting rid of the blighters I would, but I have about half a dozen pots of lillies, and as many again in my bedding so I'd spend all my precious retirement time chasing the buggers without Provado.
I only spray once, at my first sighting and that seems to be enough for the season.
Despatched one today. Found it in the veg plot, while I was harvesting the last row of leeks and some celeriac. No sign of any of my lilies yet though.
A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
Don't forget to check for them on your fritillaria. With the mild winter they will have overwintered very well and this warm weather will have brought them out.
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Yes, I like murdering both lily beetles and vine weevils, but lily beetles are the best. My lilies are in pots, I've got about 8 big pots atm - there's no point putting them in the garden, they never appear again.
The beetles are not difficult to spot once you realise that they can burrow into the bud or leaf axils a bit. I put one hand underneath them in case they drop off - which they will do if they sense you coming - and they deliberately turn upside down so when they drop onto the soil you can't see them. I keep a count and see if I can beat it every day. I am not obsessed...........
I also squish the larvae, which is really gross. If you leave it for a week then you'll get damage. Since the first year, when my plants were stripped completely and covered in black goo (I thought they'd got a nasty disease), there's been no serious damage and lots of beautiful flowers. Which reminds me, I ought to be repotting them - and I will find some of the red blighters in the soil.
If I did grow them in the garden and had lots, I think I would def use the chemical.
I've already squashed one this year. The lilies aren't even poking through yet.
It's Provado for me - the only way I am not a truly organic gardener. I hate to admit defeat and if there was any other effective way of getting rid of the blighters I would, but I have about half a dozen pots of lillies, and as many again in my bedding so I'd spend all my precious retirement time chasing the buggers without Provado.
I only spray once, at my first sighting and that seems to be enough for the season.
Lily Beatles are so easy to spot and deal with, ever noticed how they 'hiss' at you if you cup your hands around them!
Despatched one today. Found it in the veg plot, while I was harvesting the last row of leeks and some celeriac. No sign of any of my lilies yet though.
Don't forget to check for them on your fritillaria. With the mild winter they will have overwintered very well and this warm weather will have brought them out.
I found one yesterday, I thought it was a ladybird at first, sunning itself on my Mona Lisa!
I've been growing lilies up here in Northumberland for nearly 25 years and this is the first time I've ever even seen one!
After reading the forum I will be out again today looking for signs of eggs or grubs.
Hello all , they have stated nibbling my lilies but could'nt find them , finally got 5 yesterday , so pleased
I let drop into a jar with some white spirit in , for a swim
However , decided to spray Provado as well