|
|
Post by The witch on Apr 3, 2007 7:05:42 GMT 1
Split from: The+Banter+BoxHas anyone had trouble with Vine Weavel on house plants? in my conservatory I have found 3 vine weavels, one was under a basket,one on the floor near the door and one I found when I stood my gardenia in the shower to spray down the leaves. Ive never had as many pests on houseplants as I have had this winter! there is scale insects and a honey dew on the gardenia and a calamondi orange Ive bought a spray but it isnt having any effect.  Fortunately I haven't maggyd - have a read of this www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles0600/vineweevil.aspBTW my conservatory is far too hot for my gardenia, in fact I have problems knowing where to keep mine in this house as I don't have a north facing window sill.  It used to suffer with scale insect, but after repotting it using ericaceous compost, feeding with acid plant food and keeping it in cooler conditions it improved tremendously - BTW I only wash the leaves with rainwater, and I don't water with tap water either. 
|
|
|
|
Post by 4pygmies on Apr 3, 2007 7:55:13 GMT 1
I have to be honest and say I'm really mean to my houseplants! If they don't thrive on neglect they die....I have few window sills, not many curtains, lots of dust (wood burning stoves=dust) and a cold conservatory so if they can't make it with fluctuating temperatures and low light levels I can't grow em. I haven't had any problems with vine weevils prolly because they don't like such difficult conditions either! Every summer all my houseplants go outside and those that survive get repotted and brought back in for a long dark winter.....in Spring I chuck out the really ailing ones. Have you tried emptying your pots right out, prior to repotting maybe, and washing the roots of your afflicted ones? Sorry I can't be more help than that.
|
|
|
|
Post by plocket on Apr 3, 2007 9:48:57 GMT 1
I'm going to recommend chemicals - and the only chemical I use in the garden really because I try and garden organically - you try washing the roots of approximately 100 plants in 80-odd containers!!!!! Provado is pretty good stuff, it's recommended for containers and it's a good time of year to use it. It is supposed to work for about 4 months and then you treat again. You can't use it on things you are going to eat though like herbs and vegetables.
|
|
|
|
Post by maggyd on Apr 3, 2007 12:06:59 GMT 1
Thanks The witch and 4Ps your advice was very helpful Ive copied to my favorites. The conservatory is cold just kept above 5deg and north facing so it isn't getting too hot, I think the little b....rs have got in on a cyclamen that I keep on their sides in the greenhouse all summer then bring in the problem was I only took the top soil off and re topped with new compost, I bet they were lurking in the bottom of the pot. I had the pot on my kitchen windowsill and the kitchen was the first place I found one, then I moved it into the conservatory!!!! Fool.  |
|
|
|
Post by maggyd on Apr 3, 2007 12:08:23 GMT 1
Sorry plocket didnt mean to miss you out Thanks . |
|
|
|
Post by mickthecactus on Apr 3, 2007 13:18:06 GMT 1
I agree that Provado is excellent.
They're bound to ban it sooner or later then..........
|
|
|
|
Post by plocket on Apr 3, 2007 15:24:58 GMT 1
Yep - probably!!! |
|
|
|
Post by sweetleaf on Apr 3, 2007 17:44:24 GMT 1
This year for the first time I`ve found vine weevil larvae in some outside pots, I havent a clue why now, after all this time, but the birds dont even want them! I read that the birds might enjoy them so I put them on the top of the dalek bin, they have died there with no interest from birdlife whatsoever you cant please some then  |
|
|
|
Post by plocket on Apr 3, 2007 18:12:38 GMT 1
I tend to just squish them if I find them. I've never had a problem before but this year I've found lots. I've also been told it's going to be a good year for insects - lots of them this year apparently because of the mild winter |
|
|
|
Post by 4pygmies on Apr 3, 2007 19:27:22 GMT 1
Oh joy. Lots of aphids then.....
|
|
|
|
Post by sweetleaf on Apr 3, 2007 19:31:23 GMT 1
I hope so, in a way or the thousands of ladybirds I`ve seen will starve!
|
|
|
|
Post by The witch on Apr 3, 2007 20:37:10 GMT 1
I've noticed more ladybirds than usual in my garden over the last few days.  |
|
|
|
Post by plocket on Apr 3, 2007 21:06:22 GMT 1
But it's the time of year for ladybirds - we always seem to have loads at this time of year!!
|
|
|
|
Post by maggyd on Apr 3, 2007 21:58:55 GMT 1
They wont eat vine weavels though IS provado safe when you have pets? Id rather through the plants out if there was any danger to my little puppy.  |
|
|
|
Post by maggyd on Apr 7, 2007 20:41:43 GMT 1
Ive just been reading Peter Seabrooks page in the Sun and he recomends a layer of pebbles on the top of pots he says it deters vine weevles (its common sense really) I will be giving it a try! you wont believe it but after I washed all the old compost off my plants and repoted I found another one on the floor infront of a pot, Not sure wether it was coming or going (but its gone now) |
|
|
|
Post by cheerypeabrain on Apr 11, 2007 20:28:39 GMT 1
I would use the provado drench anyway maggyd. I've not seen any in any of my pots (touch wood) but as I have so many I give them a drench every year just to be on the safe side  |
|
|
|
Post by maggyd on Apr 11, 2007 21:06:40 GMT 1
What if my little menace teddy digs i n them it is most probably poisonious isnt it? I would rather lose the plants than my puppy.
|
|
