Green Caterpillars in the new growth of my Choisya Ternata!

United Kingdom

Any ideas of what do about the caterpillars and whether they will have damaged the growth? Also we got the Choisya about two years ago and it has not even tried to flower yet. It is in a pot and I have tried to make sure that it is not getting wind burnt.

On plant Choisya ternata

23 Apr, 2009

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Answers

Spritzhenry

Yes, they will damage it if they are on the shrub - they'll eat the leaves! You will have to choose between leaving them to turn into butterflies or removing them, either by hand or by spraying them.

My Choisya has been in the ground for at least that long, and would have flowered this spring, but it has been frost damaged, so I hope I will get some blossom in the autumn.

23 Apr, 2009

Blazingemma

Hi Spritzhenry, I have removed the caterpillars in the new growth by hand and then gave the whole shrub an organic spray. I will keep an eye out for them in the future as well. Unfortunately the snow covered the Choisya this winter but I have now moved it closer to the house for wind and weather cover so hopefully it will bloom for me soon.

25 Apr, 2009

Spritzhenry

Fingers crossed for both Choisyas! :-)

25 Apr, 2009

Mervyn

I have a Choysa Ternata and all of a sudden there were dead branches which were rotten. It flowered the previous spring not a problem.

22 Jun, 2009

How do I say thanks?

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