heuchara problem
linda horton
Posts: 10
I have tried several times to grow heuchara but failed each time.As I have heavy clay soil I assumed that was the problem so in the spring this year I bought 2 plants,1 called Binoche and the other frosted plum & I potted them in multi purpose compost and they have had a wonderful summer growing approx 4ft across and approx 2-3ft high,they have flowered prolifically and been a wonderful sight to behold. A few weeks one started to decline so, with the onset of autumn, I thought this was just seasonal die back.However after a couple of days I decided all was not well,on investigating I discovered that the root system had disappeared entirely,just the top was left,I saw no obvious reason for this so was quite perplexed,having composted this plant I have kept my eye out for trouble with the plant,now to my astonishment the other has met the same end! no roots..something has eaten them.The compost however had lots of tiny white grubs in it when I investigated,can anyone tell me what this is,will it spread to other plants do you think?I'm totally stuck here and think perhaps heuchara are not the plant for me.
Posts
Vone weevil...both the adults and grubs love Huechera. You can treat them with vine weevil killer.
Thirded on VW! I find the yellow & acid green ones do much better in my clay soil than most of the darker ones, if that's of any help.
many thanks all,unfortunately no root left so that's that I'm afraid.Still I live and learn perhaps I will have a go again next year,As for the empty pots I will now fill with a couple of young yucca I have knocking around.Once again thank you everyone.
Does not matter if there is no root, treat the pieces left as you would unrooted cuttings and they often will grow away. I have done this in the past to propagate Heuchera.
I have planted quite a number of Heuchera this year and I am worried about vine weevil. I have had a look at the drench but it only talks about Heuchera in pots. Mine are all in the ground, can I still use the product.
Interesting for me, as I've just bought a heuchera. I also read about a fungus they can get. Not an easy plant then.
Don't be disillusioned Jennifer - I find them one of the easiest plants to grow.
Grown them for years and never had vine weevil in any of them
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I get vine weevil in my pots but my heuchera grow happily in the ground. Like others, I have successfully potted up and rooted rootless pieces in good compost until they are ok to plant. Get this same trouble with auriculas.