By Segovia
Merseyside, United Kingdom
Is it too early to start thinking about treating for Vine Weevil?
nearly all of my heuchera's are infected, eggs all around the roots
- 1 Mar, 2015
Answers
If you can see the eggs then they are not Vine weevil ones. They are too small to be easily seen with the naked eye.
But having said that, we are treating our Geums already as there are definite weevil grubs in the compost.
Too early for the nematodes though. They need a warmer soil temperature.
2 Mar, 2015
In pots or in the garden? If in pots, I would unpot them, wash the roots clear of all soil and eggs, then repot in fresh compost.
2 Mar, 2015
If they are round shiny white eggs in little clumps they sound like slug eggs. If you spread the infected compost on the ground where the birds feed making sure the eggs are visible they will soon clear them up for you.
2 Mar, 2015
Are you sure that the 'eggs' are not spent, slow-release fertiliser? Heucheras are possibly the vine weevils' favourite plant. Yes, start using Provado Vine Weevil killer, but I would, as suggested, clean the roots and re-pot with a John Innes, soil-based compost rather than a peat-based one as it less weevil- friendly.
2 Mar, 2015
Many thanks for the advice and the correction. The eggs I can see are about 3mm across, pure white and the pop when you squeeze them. As they were clustered around my heuchera's I presumed they were Vine Weevil !
They are mostly in the garden although the ones that were infected I removed and put them in plants as cuttings that I hope to re-introduce later on in the year.
3 Mar, 2015
Sounds like slug or snails eggs...so easy to get rid off.
3 Mar, 2015
Previous question
No it is not too early but what do you mean by eggs? The eggs are very small - are you seeing slug eggs or perhaps Vine Weevil grubs? I would replace the whole compost where the Heuchera are and thoroughly check the roots for grubs then start using Provado vine weevil killer.
2 Mar, 2015