Limp Lettuce

D0rdogne_Damsel · June 2014

My lettuces are being eaten from underneath, clean cut right thru root. Is it too late to save them now, or is there anything I can do? They are in the veg patch not in a greenhouse or seed tray. All info on internet seems to assume they are small and in trays. Cutworm and root larvae seem to be the cause. Worried it will start on rest of patch when all lettuces are gone, losing one a day at the moment. Appreciate any help. Also, live in France so access to garden centres a bit limited, local one just seems to sell rose feeder and spray. Could always do internet purchase if know what to buy.

Lily 3 · June 2014

Hi Jap3 I seem to be having problems with my reply ! I'm also in France - Poitou Charente. I've also lost some plants in a similar way ( young tomato plants and now the brassicas ) fine one day then wilted and dead the next. Then when the plants are pulled up there are little or no roots left. I think the problem is chafer grubs ( our plot was very over grown and full of grass last year when we moved here ). There were a lot in the soil when we dug it over earlier in the year. We removed as many as possible, but still having problems. As I garden organically I'd say just keep planting and hopefully you can grow enough for you and the bugs ! Although losing one lettuce a day is very disheartening. There is a nematode you can buy online from a website called greengardener but its a bit pricey. Best of luck and look forward to other people's input on this subject.

Fairygirl · June 2014

I would uproot a couple and check for vine weevil damage - it's a little white grub which is easy to spot, adn what you describe is certainly the way they operate. If you google it you'll see what the adult looks like, and get more info etc but it's the larvae which do the damage. They tend to be more of a problem in pots over here but if you can identify the problem it always makes the solution easier. The adults are easy to identify and squish which at least prevents them producing more but it might take a while to rid your plot of them. There is a solution called Provado which can be used on them but many people are turning away from it as there's evidence of it damaging other insects - bees in particular.

Limp Lettuce

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