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Leaf Damage, What is Wrong With this Plant?

GreenFingers1010GreenFingers1010 Posts: 3
in Problem solving

Hi

Any ideas what is wrong with the plant below? What is causing the leaf damage? It's a potted shrub, about 4 years old, and has never been re-potted. It is positioned on concreted court yard. 

The only insects I could identify on it were a few mealy bugs. 

The leaf damage has been visible over an extended period of time now (at least one year.) The plant is still 'alive,' and new buds are sprouting just now.

Also, if anyone could name the plant, that would be good.

Thanks.

image

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Posts

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,384

    The notched edges are typical of adult vine weevil damage.  They are nocturnal so only come out at night but are excellent climbers and spend the day in leaf litter or often onderneath pots.  Horrible looking things, too.  Of more concern is if adults are present, then there will almost certainly be grubs in the soil which eat plant roots.  If you don't mind using pesticides, 'vine weevil killer 2' may still be available otherwise watering in 'vine weevil killer nematodes' is the only other solution that I'm aware of.

    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • GreenFingers1010GreenFingers1010 Posts: 3

    Yes, I've read it is probably vine weevils. I live quite far north in a relatively cold climate, however I have seen the weevil things around during the day (climbing up walls indoors.) 

    Is it possible the weevils have done so much damage that the plant will inevitably die? It's looking a sad shadow of it's former self, though as I mentioned before new buds are sprouting.

    Thanks.

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,384

    It's the grubs in the soil you really need to worry about as they often eat the roots away completely, resulting in the plant getting sicker and sicker and eventually dying.

    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • GreenFingers1010GreenFingers1010 Posts: 3

    Ok, I'll get some pesticide off Ebay. Thanks.

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445

    Nothing lasts forever, especially in a pot. I'd dump it and get something that will bring you pleasure image



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • CloggieCloggie Posts: 1,457

    I'd dump the whole pot double-wrapped in plastic bags and sealed in the trash.

    Then if you had it in a ceramic or decorative pot, use boiling water and bleach to get rid of any microscopic eggs that you can't see.

    I might be paranoid but that's what I did.

  • CloggieCloggie Posts: 1,457

    Oh but I did confirm I had vine weevil grubs in the compost (and absolutely no roots on my plant) first !

    They look like white caterpillars with bronze heads or creamy maggots with bronze heads and they curl into a C shape.

    <shudder>

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