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Just found a Vine Weevil grub
Sheps
Posts: 2,236
Hi everyone...I have found a Vine Weevil grub on a Euonymus that I planted about 45min ago,
Here's the little swine
there was only one on the outer roots and I couldn't see any more, are there likely to be more inside the root ball and should I dig the plant back up ASAP?
The reason why I planted it was because my Vine Weevil nematodes arrived today and my thinking was to apply them in the morning or maybe this evening to clear up any more that maybe hiding in the roots of the new plant.
What should I do?
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Posts
I would be very much inclined to dig up the plant and gently wash the roots clear of the compost in which it came and then replant. I do this with most bought plants as many of them have trouble spreading their roots out of the original potting material. Don't do it to Daphnes though, they hate root disturbance, or Pulsatillas.
Thanks for taking the time to help out, Berghill...it's appreciated.
I will do as advised first thing in the morning and hope no other vw grubs ( if any were present ) have made it out into the wider bed.
I will apply my Nematodes in the morning, forecast says it will be about 10 degrees C when I do it, so do you think the soil temp will be warm enough ( has to be min 5 degrees C ) ?
You cold always try the Amerindian test of the bare buttocks on the soil. If you can sit there then the soil is warm enough. Otherwise you need a soil thermometer!
Think I'll give the buttock test a miss
The pack says the nematodes should be applied between March and October so I'll give them a go in the morning.
Think you are right about a soil thermometer.
I couldn't wait until morning, so I have just been out and applied the vw nematodes, let's hope they work.
I'll kick myself silly if I've needlessly introduced Vine Weevil grubs to one of the raised beds
Sheps; I'm not sure where you are based but I hope you didn't get the light frost we did this morning to ruin your efforts.
Hi Clarington...I'm roughly in the middle of the country and the temp last night was 9°C and it should be the same for the next 7 days, so should be OK.
I gave the nematodes a good watering in last night and another this morning, so they will be below the surface of the soil at root level by now.
The Nematode website says they can withstand a couple of light frosts, so let's hope that is true, just in case.