gladiolus
By Womble13
Wiltshire,
United Kingdom 
i have some gladiolus growing in the garden but something is having a good munch on the stems destroying the plant before it even gets to flowers. i put slug pellets down regularly but i'm guessing its something else. does anyone know what it could be and how i could prevent it from happening again?
12 Aug, 2009
Answers
thanks sbg. i havent actually managed to find anyhing on the plant and i've just popped out while its dark to see if anything is on it at night and still no luck. Do you suggest i spray it with soapy water even if i cant see any bugs on there?
12 Aug, 2009
it might leave a nasty taste so its worth a try.
13 Aug, 2009
i find i get a type of sawfly larva [small green caterpillar] that munches the leaves. I either pick them off by hand or use a soapy water spray. At this time of year i have seen wasps munching the stems too.
12 Aug, 2009