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Roots being eaten
I have several places around the garden that when i put a plant in (petunias in summer violas in winter) the roots are being eaten and the plant just comes away rootless . I cannot see any vine weevil in the soil and just wondered what else could be doing this,. Can anyone help please
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I think if it had been cutworms you would have noticed them at the time you examined for weevils. When did the deaths occur? Earlier in the year or recently? One of the commonest causes of plant loss esp. annuals is root nematodes which are very small and hard to spot. Petunias are annuals and will die in autumn anyway. Cold, wet soil kills many plants even pansies. If you want winter flowers they are better in pots, which are drier. Good luck.
Thanks Pansyface and Inglezinho . It's very strange as i have plants very close to those that have died , a matter of a couple of inches , but every time i plant in these areas the plant dies . I've dug the soil up and had a good look but can see nothing . I'm flummoxed ! Is there anything i could put in the soil to sterilise it do you think ?